VIPER'S REVENGE
Chapter 7: Bruises, Strains, and Broken Bones
Feral's POV
Dawn peeks through her small bedroom window as I awaken with her warm weight pressed against me. What a wonderful way to start the day, one I am seriously beginning to entertain permanent thoughts about. I sigh and move carefully away from her. I've got to get moving if I'm to get home and change for work. She mews softly and a delicate paw searches sleepily for me. I smile and lean down to kiss her cheek tenderly.
"Serena, love. I must be going" I say reluctantly. She murmurs sleepily and wishes me a safe day and a hope to see me later. I promise to see her this evening, dress quickly and slip out of her apartment unnoticed. It promises to be a sunny day as I stretch my wings then lift into the clear skies for my apartment.
Sarena's POV
For once when my alarm wakes me I'm not grouchy. I shut it off and rise from bed stretching and smiling in real pleasure as I head to the bathroom. I only vaguely remember Ulysses kissing me goodbye this morning, but last night is crystal clear in my mind. Humming happily I prepare for the day. For the first time in a long while, I don't mind getting ready for work. I am in too good a mood for work to spoil. As I grab a quick breakfast, make lunch, and head out the door to catch the bus, my mind is already on this evening and having him in my arms again.
Feral's POV
It's late morning and I've finally cleared the reports from last night. One report in particular has disturbed me. I reach out and contact Colonel Predlar, head of security investigation. I ask him to come to my office and give me an update. The report deals with a new gang of apparent gun runners operating covertly in the older part of the city. Colonel Predlar arrives some ten minutes after my call. He reports that, sometime last night, a police sting operation for drugs had uncovered a small cache of explosives.
During interrogation, the drug dealer swore he was only holding the explosives for another gang who was rumored to have gotten their paws on a nuclear detonator and had a buyer for it. The drug dealer was supposed to turn over the explosives in two days. Normally, the enforcers don't get involved with these types of crimes unless it's something that can cause harm on a large scale. This certainly rates that.
We only had two days to set up an operation to catch the gun runners. The best way was to make a deal with the drug dealer by offering him a lighter sentence for his cooperation. Colonel Predlar agreed and I sent him off to take care of the details.
Two days later, at dusk, near an old warehouse district...
Felina's POV
The tension is thick as we all wait for the signal to close in on the gun runners. It had been confirmed the gun runners did have a detonator. The thought of something of that magnitude in the hands of hardened criminals was truly chilling. Uncle Ulysses was hidden on top of the warehouse near us. The rest of the small attack force was scattered behind the meager cover at the drop site. The drug dealer was twitching nervously in his car waiting for the gun runners to show. He couldn't take off since we had the keys to the car.
Time seemed to crawl, but only an hour had passed when a hummer and two jeeps came down the quiet street. They stopped three warehouses up from us and sat running their engines. No one moved for long minutes. The drug dealer cautiously exited his vehicle and stood looking at the three vehicles. After another 10 minutes passed, the hummer moved slowly forward. The jeeps spaced themselves out, one dropped back some and the other pulled alongside the hummer.
As they pass the first check point, we learn that each vehicle is loaded with thugs and heavily armed. This was not good.
Feral's POV
Crud! This could get really ugly with that much fire power. I signal everyone to hold their positions and stay out of sight. They finally reach our stool pigeon and halt. No one moves, moments pass, then passenger doors to the hummer open and four Kats exit. Each is carrying an Uzi submachine pistol. They are alert and scanning their surroundings cautiously. One of them signals the hummer and another Kat alights. This one is dressed better than the other four and isn't obviously armed. The head honcho for sure and is confirmed as he struts up to the drug dealer.
We had him wired so we listened in on their short but to the point chat. The leader demanded his stuff and the dealer moved to the trunk where we had put fake explosives. The exchange went down quickly. We waited till the dealer returned to his car before we moved in. I swooped down and ordered them to surrender, their answer was to immediately open fire. Darkness had fallen and only the light from a few weak streetlights gave any illumination over the battle. The area was filled with the sound of multiple gun shots and the whine of laser fire. I dodged and swooped as I moved in to try and capture the leader before he could get in the hummer and escape.
Felina's POV
All the crooks began shooting at us. No surprise there. For long moments it was a shooting gallery. Keeping my head down, I could barely see my Uncle. He blended too well in the dark sky. Seconds later, I spotted him swooping in to try and grab the leader, but just as he nearly reached him, a bodyguard began firing upward giving his boss a chance to get in the hummer and take off. I fired at the guard knocking him out of the battle then quickly looked up to see if I could find my Uncle. He may be wearing a protective vest but his wings weren't bullet proof. I suddenly saw him as he passed through a light. He was aiming his wrist weapon on the escaping hummer. A mini match head missile caught the vehicle in the rear and made it flip upside down. One down two more to go. The jeeps were barreling down the street away from us, two enforcer rigs screaming in pursuit.
Feral's POV
Ah Crud!! Two of the vehicles were escaping. I had only seconds to decide to go after them then I caught sight of Felina below me. I quickly ordered her to secure the scene and received her brisk acknowledgment. I was off at top speed trying to head off the two jeeps before they could get back to the heart of the city and vanish.
My wings were straining as I finally caught up to the fleeing vehicles. I warned my pursuing officers to back off. I still had two more match head missiles and I used them with pinpoint accuracy, firing one then the second in rapid succession at the rear of each vehicle. Success!! Both vehicles ended up on their backs, sliding into each other with a spectacular bang.
I quickly landed. I was exhausted and didn't have the strength to stay airborne any longer. I helped my enforcers pull the injured gang members from their damaged cars. On my radio, I heard Felina report that they had the detonator in hand. All in all a very successful operation.
Two hours later, I was at my desk doing the report on the operation and trying to ease the growing ache in my wing muscles. I had apparently pushed them too far and the pain was getting too strong to ignore. Moaning in discomfort, I left my office for the medic section on the second floor. When I arrived, my wings were shaking and cramping. The medics immediately placed me face down on a gurney. I was soon pumped full of muscle relaxants as they rubbed and eased the tightened wing muscles. Needless to say, I spent the night knocked out. What a lousy way to end the day.
Felina's POV
I was pumped. It had been a successful operation and I was putting the finishing touches to my report when a passing enforcer told me my Uncle was seen going to the med section. He'd never go there unless he was hurt bad. I quickly grabbed my finished report and rushed to the elevator. When I arrived, I grabbed a passing nurse who told me my Uncle was being treated and to wait. I sighed in frustration and slumped in a hard chair near the treatment room doors.
Some time later a doctor came out and assured me Uncle Ulysses would be fine, just severe wing spasms from overstress. He would be sleeping off some potent muscle relaxers tonight so there was no point in seeing him now. I thanked him and sighed in relief. I stopped by his office and dropped my report on his desk then took my weary body home for some well earned rest.
Two weeks later...
Feral's POV
I was flying toward City Hall to drop off some reports Ms Briggs had been asking for when a huge dark shadow moved over me. I looked up to see Dark Kat's fear ship heading toward Enforcer Headquarters. I was surprised he hadn't spotted me just below him. Before I could take evasive action, a sonic boom announced the arrival of the SWAT Kats. I was actually glad to see them since there was no way I was a match for that ship. I quickly folded my wings to get out of their airspace as fast as I could. I made a bee line for the Enforcer Tower, warning my troops of Dark Kats approach and to launch every available jet and copter immediately.
Felina's POV
I was already on patrol when I received the alert about Dark Kat. I veered back toward Enforcer Headquarters in time to join in on the attack on the fear ship. Its shielding was shedding our fire like water off a duck's back. The SWAT Kats didn't seem to be faring any better. Whatever Dark Kat was up to it looked like he might succeed if we couldn't pierce his shielding.
T-Bone's POV
"Hey sure shot, don't you have anything to get through that ship's armor? He's wiping the sky of enforcers and ignoring us."
"Don't cough up a hairball, T-Bone." Razor growled "That shield is strong. I just have to find the right combination of weapons to get through it. Let's see if two hopped up Mega Scramblers will do it." He fired off one sparking missile after another toward the fear ship. They impacted seconds apart and finally the shield was down.
"Way to go Razor! Now let's kick Dark Kats tail!" I turn the Turbokat into a strafing run allowing Razor to spray munitions into the fear ship's tail.
Feral's POV
Yes!!! The SWAT Kats did it! The shield was down and they were spraying the fear ship's rear with multiple weapons' fire. Though I wish my enforcers could have brought him down, I'm not complaining that is until I see Dark Kat retaliating by firing on an office tower near him. I can hear screams from frightened office workers as they try to escape flying glass and gun fire pouring into their building. I yell into my radio for the SWAT Kats and my enforcers to cease fire.
I hear T-Bone angrily telling Razor about Dark Kats dirty trick and acknowledging me as he backed off the Turbokat. The fear ship is badly damaged and limps off causing further havoc by firing on the katizens on the ground. As soon as he ceases firing on the building, the SWAT Kats resume their pursuit, harrying the bastard away from the city.
Meanwhile, I order the fighter pilots to help in the pursuit while I have my choppers assist in damage control at the office building and the ground targets. I swoop in closer to see what kind of damage has been done and how many injured there were. I gingerly step through the broken glass as I move through the shattered remains of the office space. Kats are helping each other to safety and treating others for injuries. It isn't until I move into the next office that I see Sarena. I hadn't realized this was her place of work. She is bleeding down her arm but seems otherwise alright. She and two other males are trying to help a loudly complaining overweight specimen with a bleeding leg. He's nasty and abusive to everyone trying to help him. I wonder if this is Sarena's boss she's complained to me about. I decide it's time for me to take charge.
Sarena's POV
Oh God!! Kats are screaming and running everywhere as the shattered window sprayed glass everywhere. I can see the battle raging outside and just catch Ulysses soaring up out of view. Around me is chaos as I try to move to the door out to the hall. A bleeding coworker bumps into me and I instinctively pull her to me and out the door. I settle her to the floor, she isn't hurt badly so I move to the next office where Kats are pouring out to see if I can be of help. Almost everyone is out except for a few that are helping my boss, Mr. Fergus. He doesn't seem to be that badly injured but he is complaining as if he were dying. He's snarling and cursing at everyone that is trying to help him.
I'm disgusted, but can't leave since I seem to be the only one with any first aid experience. I attempt again to wrap his injured leg but he pulls away complaining loudly that I am hurting him. At that moment a familiar voice barks orders at the others standing around then leans over my boss and snaps at him.
"Knock it off! You're not hurt that bad. Stop moving around and let Ms Flaherty wrap your wound. The medics are on their way and will transport you soon." Amazingly, Fergy shuts up and holds still while I finish wrapping his leg. As soon as I am done, Ulysses picks him up like he weighed nothing at all and carried him to the hall where the wounded waited for transport.
"Now rest here and keep quiet" He admonished the cowed Kat before turning to go back into the office to check the damage. As he passes me, in a low voice he asks if I'm okay and I assure him I am. He nods his head and moves into the other room. I hear the others whispering in excitement about actually seeing Commander Feral in person and many comments about his impressive wings. I know it's petty but I can't help but feel smug that I alone know the Commander much better than any of them.
Suddenly, I hear a loud groaning sound from the room Ulysses has gone into, then a horrific crash. I run to the door and see an inner wall has collapsed. For a second, I don't see Ulysses then I hear a groan. I carefully step over the debris working my way toward the sound and see his arm sticking out from a large piece of the wall. I scream for help as I try to remove some of the debris around him.
I'm relieved to see enforcers rushing into the room and I tearfully tell them what has happened. They tell me to go back to the hall with the others, but I can't. I need to be here when he is pulled free. It takes several enforcers and many tense minutes to free the Commander from the wall that had flattened him to the floor.
As they begin to raise him from the floor to move him to a safer area, he cries out in agony. I can see what's wrong immediately.
"Stop! His wing is broken. We need to splint it first before you can move him. There's plenty of wood around to make a brace, I'll go get some bandages or something to tie it with" I told them and scurried out to find them. I lucked out finding an untouched first aid kit in the break room and ran back to Ulysses. The enforcers had gently straightened the wing and had splints below and above the break.
"Here's the first aid kit" I said as I handed it to one of the officers who thanked me and went to work. I knelt down and gently placed Uly's head in my lap. He grits his teeth hard as they wrapped his injured wing. Very carefully they bound his wings to his body. I gently stroked his face as they did this and he looked at me gratefully.
Once more they carefully lift the Commander. I stay close by as we move out of the room and into the elevator. I notice that all the injured had been transported and we were the last. As we entered the elevator, Uly began to struggle and scream. Everyone stopped and backed out into the corridor again and laid him down. It was then I remembered Uly's problem with small spaces. I quickly searched his clothes while the enforcer's look at me in confusion. After a moment, I found them and put them on. He immediately calmed down and sighed with relief. Staring at me in surprise they once more loaded the Commander on the elevator. We go down with no more problems. One of the officers studies me.
"Miss, how did you know about the Commander's...ah...problem?" He asked.
"Ah..." I blushed, "Um...the Commander and I are acquainted." I admitted. The officer's eyebrow lifted but he didn't comment further.
Because I'm injured too, I'm allowed on the same ambulance as Ulysses. I told the ambulance attendants why they could not remove his special glasses. They gave Uly a careful stare and nodded at me. At the hospital, I'm treated and released but I won't leave until I know he's alright and so I'm forced to sit in the waiting room until I'm allowed to see him. While I'm waiting, his niece, Felina comes hurrying in. I signaled to her. She comes over and stares at me questioningly. She's never actually met me in person so this is our first meeting.
"Lt Feral, I'm Sarena Flaherty" I smile wanly at her. "This isn't the best circumstance for meeting you at last."
Felina's POV
The SWAT Kats chased Dark Kats fear ship to Megakat Bay with my flight following in hot pursuit. His ship was badly damaged but was gamely trying to get away. As soon as the ship cleared the city, the Turbokat opened fire again and brought the ship down into the bay. They called me on the radio and said farewell leaving the clean up to us again but I didn't mind since they did succeed in bringing Dark Kat down.
I called the harbor patrol to collect the ship. When they returned to shore, the bad news was there was no sign of Dark Kat but they did pick up Chop Shop. What was he doing on the fear ship? Was Dark Kat even aboard? I sighed in resignation, another mystery to solve. I went back to Enforcer Headquarters to make out my report and, only then, did I learn of my Uncle's injury.
I raced back out and reached the hospital in minutes. As I strode across the main lobby toward the trauma bay, a female suddenly hailed me. I walked up to her and waited to see what she wanted. When she identified herself, I was pleasantly surprised. So this was the female that helped my Uncle when he had trouble adapting to his transformation and had been his new love interest. I liked her immediately and could see why my Uncle was soo attracted to her.
She told me what had happened in her office building and how my Uncle had gotten hurt. She described his injuries and what was being done now for him.
"Thank you, Ms Flaherty, for all you've done for my Uncle, not only this time but when you first met him. I always appreciated how you succeeded in helping him cope." I clasp her paw warmly. She smiles at me shyly. We say nothing more for a few minutes and are interrupted by the arrival of my Uncle's doctor. He eyes Sarena a moment before turning to address me.
"Lt Feral! Commander Feral is resting comfortably now and is being transported upstairs to his assigned room. The left wing at mid joint is broken in two places, but fortunately, it is a clean break and will not require surgery. Since it's impossible to cast a wing, we've managed to immobilize it so it may heal. It will take about six weeks and it must stay immobile for that time. Someone needs to help take care of him since he only needs to be in the hospital for a few days. I don't envy anyone volunteering for that job since Commander Feral is known to be a really bad patient." The doctor sighed and shook his head. "Anyway you may see him as soon as he is settled upstairs."
"Thank you doctor! Don't worry, we'll figure something out for his future care" I smiled gratefully at him. He nodded and strode off leaving Sarena and me looking at each other.
Sarena's POV
Felina is staring at me after the doctor leaves us. Since my office is trashed, I know I won't be going back to work for a while. Makes sense that I take care of Ulysses and I tell her so. She stares at me in surprise and warns me that I have never dealt with her Uncle when he's hurt or ill and that the doctor wasn't exaggerating about how bad a patient her Uncle was.
I smiled and said that's what lovers do, take care of each other and I intend to do just that I told her firmly. She smiles back warmly and gives me a hug and tells me if I ever need her to just let her know. Now that that's settled we make our way upstairs to see Ulysses.
Felina's POV
I am relieved Sarena is willing to take care of my Uncle. I think he will be less grouchy with her than me. I can return to work with a clear mind. I need to focus on finding out whom that detonator was meant for and why. After a brief visit to my drugged out Uncle, I leave Sarena by his side and return to my office to do some digging.