Chapter Seven

"Talking"

'Thoughts'

Mayor Manx could only stare as his body shook worse now then it had minutes ago. He gulped but it felt like he was trying to swallow a mouth full of cotton as those cold golden eyes looked at him unwaveringly.

"W..what…d…d…do wa…want?" Manx asked trying to keep his shaking under control.

"What do I want?" The black figure asked in such a calm manner pausing a moment to let the words sink in, "I want you to drop out of the election this year."

"You can't be serious!" Manx's voice squeaked in outrage at the idea.

He had been mayor of Megakat City for about ten terms now and he wasn't about to give it up. Though, at the moment, that didn't look like an option with all their evidence of shady dealings they had on him.

"I'm not finished, Manx. It's not just you that will be stepping down but the entire council as well."

"But…but…but…" Manx tried to quickly think of a way to stop this from happening. "Maybe we can work out some kind of…eep!"

Mayor Manx jumped as something black and sharp zipped past his head just bare inches from cutting him. Blinking rapidly, he could see those now golden eyes burn with anger and fury at his last words.

"We will not be making any kind of deals, Manx! You and the council members made many promises those long years ago that said you would help Megakat City and its people. Yet none of you has followed through on those promises. Instead of a leader, what do we find?" The figure ground out as she stood up.

In a blur of speed, her paw shot out grabbing hold of Manx's bathrobe collar and jerking the over weight tom up to eye level. Manx cried out in fear, shutting his eyes rather than see the menace reflected in hers. She shook him hard and he was forced to open his eyes and stare back at her shivering.

"We find a greedy, self centered, spineless, and tightfisted asshole who hasn't done a damn shred of paperwork in years. The deputy mayor is actually running the city and desperately trying to keep it from going under while you dare to go play golf and make DEALS that beggar the coffers of the treasury. Which, of course, short budgets the enforcers so they can't protect the city which leaves a pair of idiot vigilantes to do it instead. And this is the clean version I'm using here, Manx. The dirty version shows you and your cronies in an even worse light." she hissed.

"Alright, alright, I'll do whatever you want! Just…just don't ruin my good name, and I'll do what you say," Manx begged.

The figure snorted, "Your good name? Don't make me laugh, pig...but…good decision. Do as I say for the next few weeks without question and you'll have a happy retirement with no problems."

~0~0~0~0~0~0~

Yawning deeply, Kazuma watched a late night show as he waited for Urabe to return. He checked his wristwatch for what was the tenth time in the last five minutes when his ears picked up the sound of a door knob turning. A pronounced click heralded it being opened. He turned his head to watch her walk through the front door, a gym bag on her shoulder. She closed and locked the door behind her.

Smiling triumphantly, the orange Saharas spoke up, "So how'd it go with our Mayor, the windbag?"

Urabe didn't answer right away as she dropped her gym bag at the door then strolled through the living area to an armchair, dropping into it with a sigh.

"That greedy pig tried to make a deal with me but a nicely thrown kunai shut him up."

The aforementioned kunai was brought out and twirled on her index finger making the orange tabby outright laugh. No amount of promise of power or money or any such things would turn Urabe against her strict moral code.

"And?"

"Well…Manx will be doing what we say for the next couple of weeks we're here. So long as we make sure that none of his dirty little secrets get out."

Kazuma smile changed to a bright grin for a time but gradually slid from his face as he changed the subject. "Now all that left is to deal with Ms. Briggs, the SWAT Kats and the omegas, when ever they show up."

Urabe nodded, "Dealing with the Metallikats should be easy if we use the EMP device to fry their disks. Without those, there is no hope of Hackle reviving them again."

"But we shouldn't return them anyway so since Hackle will want them back, how will we dispose of their bodies so he can't find them again?" Kazuma asked. He knew the Professor had good intentions when he saved Mac and Molly from death but sometimes you just couldn't change an evil mindset.

"That's an easy one. Use the steel mill just west of the Megakat Docks. We'll melt down their bodies insuring they never appear again." Urabe said smiling slightly.

"Sounds good. Then all we have to do is when they appear again, slip the EMP device on them or in their car and let it do its thing. Afterward, we slip them away and get them melted. The tricky part is slipping past your brother so he doesn't know what we're doing. You don't suppose Hackle's made a duplicate set of disks, do you?" He asked, concerned. "It'd be a pain if he had and we're back here again addressing the problem."

Urabe look away a moment bring up her paw to her chin as she thought about that. "I don't know. But I'll have Karel go and befriend Hackle. He can pose as a student from Megakat University who came across Hackle's works and wants him as a role model. How does that sound?" She suggested.

"Excellent. I doubt Hackle will mind having an apprentice around for a short time. And, as an added bonus, Hackle sometimes has the SWAT Kats over so Karel can keep eye and ear on them whenever they're over." Kazuma added, pleased with the solution.

"But he would have to gain their trust," she reminded him.

"Hmm, you're right there. Well perhaps Karel could help the Professor with some of the things he's building to aid the SWAT Kats. After all, Karel is quite the genius for that sort of thing. It's worth a shot anyway."

Urabe nodded, "I agree. So that takes care of the Metallikats, we now need to decide what to do about Turmoil, Dr. Viper, Pastmaster and Dark Kat."

"What about Hard Drive and Chop Shop?" Kazuma added then paused as he noted way his Commander drooped and her eyelid threatened to close. "Listen, we can talk about this more in the..." he looked at his watch, "...whoa...looks like it is morning already...well this afternoon should work as well. You need to rest right now."

Sighing Urabe slowly stood up. "You're right. Dealing with Manx drained me of all my energy. That kat…I can't believe we helped such an idiot keep his position all these years."

"Well, we did think and believe he would do the right thing and then we kept hoping time would make him better rather than worse...so much for that idea!" Kazuma snorted also getting up to head to bed.

"Guess even we can be made fools of. Well, good night, Kazuma. See you later in the day," Urabe said, hiding a yawn as she made her way to the room she shared with Raina.

Once she was gone, Kazuma went to the kitchen wanting to get a glass of water before retiring. As he entered, he noted a silver smoke tom leaning against the kitchen sink with a glass of with a glass of his own. His bottle green eyes look up and over to his SIC.

"You didn't tell her," Antonio murmured softly.

Kazuma tilted his head to look up at the kitchen ceiling a moment. "Urabe has enough to worry about. I just didn't want to burden her with more right now until I'm sure my hunch is right."

"I understand. She's a good leader but she adds so much stress to herself during times like these," Antonio agreed setting his glass in the sink.

"And it's gotten worse now since were in Megakat City. Urabe's having to deal with getting the balance of power corrected along with discovering what is causing all of this weirdness," Kazuma said lowering his head to go over to a cabinet and fetch a glass.

"Don't forget the fact her brother is now mated and his mate is about to be tested. Have you come up with some ideas on how to test this Dr. Sinian?" Antonio asked casually.

"Some but I won't put them in action yet. Jimmu and Abi will need some time to be alone together."

"What? Didn't they already do that?"

"Let just say fate had other ideas."

Kazuma went quiet as he moved to the sink with his glass and filled it up. "Night, Antonio."

"Night, Kazuma." Antonio said watching as the orange Saharas left the kitchen.

~0~0~0~0~0~0~

The morning sun rose brightly over the large city bathing it with a warm glow but in one apartment the light of day didn't penetrate as dark heavy drapes were drawn closed, keeping the bedroom dark.

A kingsize bed stood prominently in the room and on it were two bodies. The Saharas male was wrapped around his mate as they both slept after spending a long night out on the town then returning to his apartment. The male's tail was laying over the female side while the two's legs were intertwined under the sheet and coverlet.

But sleep was losing its grip on one of them, eyes fluttering open, brown eyes blinking awake as they check out its surroundings then the head turned to stare for some minutes at the head beside hers. Mumbling a bit to herself or to him, she wasn't sure, she disentangled herself from her mate.

She sat up a bit and stared down at Ulysses. Watching him sleep peacefully sent a thrill of happiness and tenderness, making her smile. With gentle fingers, Abi reached down and stroked Uly's hair from his face.

"Morning, love," Ulysses voice rumbled though he didn't open his eyes, enjoying her touch too much to move.

"When did you wake up?" Abi asked slightly surprised but didn't stop her stroking.

"Just now. I could feel your love and happiness for me through our bond," he murmured warmly, finally opening his eyes to smile up at her then rising so he could kiss her good morning on her forehead..

Her smile broadened even more when she felt her mate's love flow through their connection. He was happy and it was a warm balm on her soul. Then she sighed, as much as she would prefer to remain in bed just being with each other, she knew they had some important matters to discuss.

"Hungry?" He asked moving off the bed and walking to his dresser.

"Hmm, yes. How about I make us something?" Abi asked searching the floor for her clothes.

"That would be great," he said with a smile then pulled something from the closet and walked over to her. "Here, why don't you wear this?" he suggested handing her a pair of silky boxers and a large button up shirt.

"Why, thank you," she smirked at him, taking the proffered items and putting them on. Of course she had to cinch the boxers tighter and the shirt hung on her really like a tent but Ulysses rather like the idea of her wearing his clothes. They would now be his favorites because of how they looked on her.

Mentally getting his mind back on track, he let her use the bathroom first then when she slipped out and went to the kitchen, he went in quickly so he could join her in the kitchen.

When he got there, she had already found the utensils and food. She began preparing a meal while he went to the fridge to get them some milk. While he was pouring it, he asked, "Abi, when do you think you can take a weeks vacation off? Since we're mated now, we need to spend that much time together to seal our bonding."

"Oh, I have vacation time coming up this weekend, but I can take off sooner and add the time on since, well...I never had much reason to take a vacation. I mean...its not much fun going alone or staying home alone," she said after a moment's thought.

Feral could feel the brief sadness and loneliness she'd felt when she thought of those times when she had no one to be with. Without thinking, he set the glasses on the table and went to her side. He wrapped her in one of his strong arms and leaned down to nuzzle an ear.

He murmured, "You do now." sending feelings of affection and friendship over their bond.

She sighed and smiled, sending the same back. "Don't worry, love. I don't feel that way anymore." She reassured him and enjoyed their moment of closeness.

"So after breakfast, you'll call in and extend your vacation?"

"Yes but what about you? Are you sure you want to leave Steele in charge of the city that long?" Abi asked, knowing how badly Uly's second did his job.

"As much as I hate that idea, this can't wait. But I have someone I trust who can keep an eye on the city and Steele while I'm gone," he reassured her while making a mental note to call Kazuma to ask a favor.

"Oh, that's good then so where are we going?" She asked taking some eggs now and cracking them over her now hot pan.

"Hmm…my brother has a cabin out in the wooded area north of the city and its near a lake. No chance of anyone seeing us there," Feral said though hating the idea of still hiding their relationship from everyone.

"What a wonderful idea. It'll be nice to get back to nature," she said with a smile.

"Great, then we can leave the day after tomorrow, okay?" He asked as he made toast.

"I don't see why no," she agreed serving up the eggs on plates she had nearby.