Chapter Eight

"Talking"

'Thoughts'

As morning pass on into the afternoon, Abi Sinian found herself back at work insuring that everything would be taken care of before her vacation. After having breakfast with Ulysses and giving him a kiss good bye, she had quickly headed for her own apartment to take a quick shower and change into a new set of clothes before heading off to work.

She spent the time at work going through her exhibit notes and looking over the exhibit itself to insure all was completed as the opening was just next week. With this main exhibit finished and ready to open, she felt confident leaving her assistants to handle anything else that might come up in her absence.

As she was finishing all the other minor details that needed her attention, the Deputy Mayor arrived through the main doors of the museum. Many eyes paused to stare and appreciate the blond beauty walking up to the information desk . With her peach colored fur, long wavy blond hair that reached nearly to her tail, and brilliant green eyes, she was an arresting sight. Wearing her trademark pink business suit, she was easily identifiable as the dynamic and smart Calico Briggs, Deputy Mayor of Megakat City.

"Where might I find Dr. Sinian?"

"She's down that hall and to the left, Deputy Mayor."

Nodding her thanks, Callie headed down the indicated hall until she reached a room that had a sign before it announcing the opening of the exhibit next week. Walking past this, she looked around at the exhibit before spotting her target standing before a painting.

She walked over and took a stance beside the doctor and stared up at the portrait. Beside the portrait was a plaque that told the visitor who this was and what part he played in history.

The image was of a handsome, powerful male wearing a suit of armor. The plague identified the individual as the First Knight of Queen Callista's court.

"Dr. Sinian." Callie greeted causing the doctor to look up from her notes and turn to her.

"Callie, what brings you here?"

"This exhibit. Mayor Manx wants a speech prepared for the opening ceremony so, of course, he sent me down to get what I need to write it." She rolled her eyes showing what she thought of that.

Abi laugh lightly, knowing what a pain the mayor was to work for. "I see. I guess a tour of the exhibit is in order then, starting with this painting."

"I can see it's about Queen Callista's first knight but what I don't understand is why it's in the Saharas exhibit rather than the dark ages one."

"It is rumored, the first knight was actually a Sahara and he turned against the crown when the Queen's Kat subjects began to attack his kind." Abi told Callie while making a mental note to ask Ulysses if he knew anything about this story and if it was true or not.

"That must be quite a story. Can you tell me a little more about it? It might make a great centerpiece in the Mayor's speech." Callie brought out a notepad and pen from her big purse.

"Certainly." Abi related everything they'd been able to discover about this knight as well as a thumbnail description of the Saharas race, both the myth and history about them.

Callie couldn't help but note how animated and passionate Abi became the more she talked about these creatures.

Curious she asked when the doctor had finished speaking, "You seemed to be really into this whole myth about the Saharas."

Abi blushed, berating herself for getting carried away on the subject due to her personal involvement. She needed to deflect Callie quickly before the blond could become suspicious.

"It's because they are so fascinating. We know they existed for a time until Kat kind wiped them out in fear. However, there are those among the scientific community that believe they aren't extinct. So, there presently is an even split between those that feel they are still alive against those that firmly believe they no longer exist."

"Ah, I see and you are obviously of the camp that wants to believe they do," Callie murmured knowingly, her manner seeming to indicate she thought there was much more to this than Abi was saying and that she felt Abi was hiding something. That was confirmed by Callie's next words.

"You know something...don't lie to me, I know you too well...what is it you aren't telling me?"

Trying to keep from flushing and not rising to the Deputy Mayor's bait, she tried a different tactic to throw the she-kat off the scent.

"I'm not hiding anything...at least not about this anyway. The truth is...I've met someone and that's who I'm spending my vacation time with."

That got Callie's attention instantly. "Really? Since when, Abi? Is it someone I know?"

"I met him about a year ago during an event at the museum. We sort of clicked and have been seeing each other a lot since then. Things have been getting rather serious of late, hence this vacation together."

"Wow! How fortunate you are. I'm truly happy for you, Abi. Most Kats aren't so lucky finding their one and only. However, you still haven't told me who this lucky guy is?"

Abi hesitated, not certain she should tell Callie it was Feral or not. After all, the deputy mayor had seemed interested in him before but then she also showed an interest in the SWAT Kats as well. Before she had to make a decision, she was spared the need when Callie's cell phone rang.

Putting her notepad and pen away in her bag, the deputy mayor dragged out her cell and answered it.

"Deputy Mayor Briggs." She listened to someone on the other end, nodding her head a few times and saying yes at whatever was being asked then finishing the conversation with, "No problem, Mayor Manx, I'll see you shortly."

"Problems, Callie?" Abi eyed the blond in concern watching her put her cell away.

"No, not really. The mayor just wants me to complete the paperwork on the Megakat Tower and get it on his desk within the next hour. Apparently, he wants to go over it first before its initiated."

Abi blinked at her in surprise. This wasn't like the Mayor who was known for his serious laziness when it came to the paperwork end of his job.

"Seriously?"

"Yeah, I know. It's weird, but ever since he came into work this morning, he's been going through all the paperwork that's on his desk, something he always leaves to me. He's not once even suggested going to the golf course. Can't imagine what's gotten into him but I hope it continues since it finally allows me time to do my own work. Anyway, I better get going. I'll have to return later to get what I need for his speech."

"Sure, no problem as long as it's today sometime. Remember, I'm gone tomorrow."

Callie grimaced and sighed. "Right, I'll fit it in. See you later and thanks."

"You're welcome."

Callie gave a small wave goodbye and walked out. Abi released a sigh of relief that she'd avoided the issue of who she was dating. Later, she had to make sure she didn't seem too enthusiastic when Callie returned for the information on the exhibit. With that interruption ended, she needed to get back to work if she was to finish by end of day.

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

"That should be it, Steele. Do you think you could handle things without biloxing it up for one week?" He asked facetiously not really expecting an answer from his nitwit of a second in command. He had just finished briefing Steele on the open cases he dared to allow the fool to handle as well as anything else that needed monitoring during the week he was absent..

"Of course, I can, sir! And let me assure you…" the orange-red tom with the blonde hair began to say pompously before his superior cut him off with a growl of impatience.

"Save it, Steele! Just do your job and keep out of trouble. Don't try and institute any of your hairbrain plans while I'm gone either." Steele's fell at that. "All I want from you is an intact city when I return. Dismissed!"

Saluting smartly, Steele turned on his heel and left.

Sighing, Feral returned to the work he needed to finish. No way did he want Steele's paw in any of it. Gods, how he hated dealing with that idiot especially now as Steele had returned to his old sly ways...kissing up to the brass to garner more favors toward him trying to take Feral's position. Fat lot of good it would do him. The higher ups were wise to him.

Clearing his mind of his troublesome SIC, he returned to the folder he'd been working on when Steele interrupted. The Mayor had sent over a report he wanted Feral's input on, so he settled down to reading it. Hours passed and the lunch hour arrived with Feral failing to halt to eat.

It was moving toward one when a knock on his door drew his head up. Frowning, he called out, "Come in."

The office door opened and in walked one of his enforcers from the line. The tom was wearing full gear, flack vest and helmet with the visor down. That was rather odd as his patrol troopers were normally up here to see him. On top of that, the enforcer was carrying a white bag from which a delectable odor rose. The officer strode up to Feral's desk and deposited the bag on it.

"Lt. Feral asked me to bring this up to you sir."

The smell of food hit Feral's nose like a train making the Sahara' stomach growl angrily. Checking his watch, he noted it was past lunch. 'No wonder I'm hungry...I missed lunch.' He snorted in annoyance reaching out for the bag.

"Tell her thanks." He said by way of dismissal, however, the officer didn't move.

"You really should take better care of yourself, sir. You're not setting a good example for your enforcers. Why, I dare say, Lt. Commander Steele would do a better job." Ensuring Feral heard his smirk in his voice since his face was still hidden.

Feral froze and glared at the officer. "And just who do you think you are saying..." he began to berate the tom when the enforcer shoved up the shield and a pair of blue eyes twinkled at him in amusement. Slumping, Feral snorted and shook his head. "I should have known. How the hell did you get your paws on one of my enforcer's uniforms?"

"I didn't! Amazingly enough, the costume stores sell a very good likeness and all I had to do was tweak it a bit and viola. The only tricky part was coming up with a badge and number I could use. But once I had that, getting in was a piece of cake. Your security sucks by the way because if I could do it and come all the way up here to you and enemy could to." Kazuma was only mildly amused at the trick he pulled but was dead serious bout Ulysses' security problem.

Rubbing his face, Feral sighed. He didn't need this now but Kazuma was right. "Thank you for discovering I had a problem. I'll deal with it."

"Good! So why did you need to see me?"

Before getting into the office that morning, Feral had sent out a message that he needed to see Kazuma. It was an old method of reaching one of their own and he wasn't certain it would get to Kazuma in time. He was relieved it had but hadn't expected the Sahara male to sneak into his headquarters to see him.

"I need a watcher on Steele while I'm away."

"Steele? You worried about that chicken? What for?" Kazuma asked, surprised Feral was that concerned. Nothing in Steele's profile suggested there was any real cause for concern.

"It's not him per se but the city's safety I'm more concerned about. He selfishly cares for only his own ambitions at the cost of enforcer lives. If the omegas make an appearance, its possible we could lose more than the usual number of enforcers and equipment before the SWAT Kats can take care of it. Much that it pains me to have them involved, they do manage to get rid of the problem before more lives are taken." He grimaced bitterly at that hard fact.

"Yeah, you're right there. So, you want me to keep an eye out for the omegas and should they attack, insure Steele makes the right decisions and doesn't screw things up."

"Yes, do you mind? I know you're here to test Abi but since she will be with me for a week, I thought..."

"Say no more, Ace. I'll watch over the city while you're gone. Just enjoy yourself and not worry."

"Thanks, Kazuma. I owe you one." Feral was relieved to have that problem cared for.

Kazuma smiled and waved, turning to leave the office but pausing at the door a moment. "Just remember, Abi must be ready for the tests when she returns."

"Don't worry, she will be. I have every confidence in her that she'll pass your tests."

With another smile and a nod, Kazuma lowered the shield on the helmet and left Feral's office. Sighing, Feral grabbed the bag of his rapidly cooling lunch and pulled it out...he was really hungry now.