Greetings to all fans of the Swat Kats. This is my second fanfic please note this in any flames that you send. A few points to remember. 1) Swat Kats: The Radical Squadron is owned by Hanna Barbera. Which in turn is owned by Ted Turner, the same man who owns the Atlanta Braves baseball team! 2) Tim Hunt is owned by me. Please inform me if you wish to use him. 3) As Tim hunt is an Australian, he pronounces some words differently. For example Lieutenant is pronounced as _LEFT_tenant and his rank would be Flight LEFTtenant. 4) All flames and praise can be sent to Mark Johnson at rodj@mrbean.net.au or johnnosk@hotmail.com True Colours By Mark Johnson. Chance and Jake sat open mouthed with half finished cans of milk in their paws. Tim had just finished explaining to them what the Raptor could do (knowing that it would excel the conservative limitations that he had stipulated). While Tim was enjoying the look on the SWAT Kats' faces the alarm sounded. "Callie's calling!" said Chance as he ran towards the phone on the wall. "Yes Miss Briggs?" he asked. Tim waited patiently as Chance took note as to what 'Miss Briggs' was saying. Finally, his curiosity got the better of him and he was about to make a polite inquiry as to who the mysterious 'Miss Briggs' was when Chance began the SWAT Kat equivalent of the mission briefing. "Jake, Viper and friends are at MegaKat Biochemical. Suit up!" "I'm gonna tag along!" said Tim "NO YOU'RE NOT!!" the SWAT Kats said in unison as they climbed into the TurboKat and performed the required start-up procedures. Within seconds they were off. Tim moved to cover as the TurboKat screamed by. When the TurboKat left the Hanger, Tim's eyes fell on the flight suit that he was still wearing, with its various badges indicating his squadron, country and rank. Other objects included his nametag and flight wings, two things that shouldn't be seen by this world's inhabitants. Making a split second decision Tim ripped off the badges that identified him, removed his nametag and wings and went to T-Bones locker. Inside the locker Tim found what he was looking for, T-Bones spare helmet, bandanna and gloves. Putting on the commandeered items on he became the SWAT Kat _HUNTER_. Hunter ran the short distance towards the Raptor and performed its start-up sequence. BATTERIES TO POWER TURBINES TO SPEED INTERNAL POWER TO ENABLE STARTING INTERNAL POWER ANTI-GRAVS ENABLED ANTI-GRAVS ENGAGED TARGETING SYSTEMS TO ENABLE DOWNLOADING NAVIGATIONAL DATA.....DONE UNDERCARRIAGE RAISED HAVE A NICE DAY!! In an instant Hunter was in the air and tracking the TurboKat as he flew towards MegaKat City. MegaKat Biochemical..... T-Bone and Razor had just made their first pass over MegaKat Biochemical and assessed the situation, only to have massive vines shatter the windows of the upper stories and attempt to grab the TurboKat. Under T-Bones expert control the TurboKat avoided the deadly plants, sustaining minor damage to the horizontal stabilisers. "Krud!... Razor, what's the damage?" "Not good buddy. We've suffered some damage to our left stabiliser and we're losing hydraulic fluid. Not fast but I'd like you to hurry up and get this over and done with ASAP" "You're right, that's not too bad but it's still not good. I'm going to call Hunter" T-Bone never got the chance. Before he could make a call the TurboKat's radio came to life. "SWAT Kat two to SWAT Kat one, SWAT Kat two to SWAT Kat one. T-Bone, you there?" Hunter said over the radio. T-Bone laughed. He should have known that he couldn't ground a test pilot. Opening the radio frequency he replied "SWAT Kat one receiving, what's up Hunter?" "My navigational data is useless in this world. I need the vectors to your position" T-Bone complied, giving Hunter the appropriate altitude and heading. When Hunter had the information he did some rough calculations and told the SWAT Kats of his ETA. Thirty seconds later, it was time to party. ************************************************************************ Inside MegaKat Biochemical labs Dr. Viper noticed that the Raptor had just flown by on an observation flight before its main attack. "I musst work quickly," Viper muttered to himself as he gathered up variously selected chemicals. "That alien mussstn't interfere in my plansss. Time for my petsss to keep him occupied." Viper signalled his 'pets' to attack the Raptor. Hunter's radar had detected several small objects inbound towards his position. Glancing around he saw what his radar had picked up. Ten of the biggest wasps that Hunter had ever seen, outside of his nightmares, were making their presence known by shooting the Raptor with their projectile like stingers. As the stingers bounced harmlessly of the Raptor's armour, Hunter quickly reconfigured his Heads Up Display for Air-to-Air combat and started evasive maneuvres so that he could get into position to fire on his attackers. Hunter tried to out-maneuvre the aggressors but found that they were just as maneuverable, if not more so, than the Raptor was. Trying a different tact, Hunter engaged Supercruise mode. He planned to put several kilometres between him and the wasps so he could then fire one of his missiles into the centre of the swarm and hopefully disable a few of them. The SWAT Kats could then deal with the situation while he made an attack run on MegaKat biochemical. Unfortunately for Hunter, the wasps had other ideas. The swarm had ceased its pursuit of the Raptor and instead had turned and attacked the Katseye News 'Chopper. Inside the News 'Chopper, Katseye News Anchorkat, Ann Gora was doing a live News cross on the current situation and its recent developments. Not knowing exactly what was happening in the News 'Chopper or the status of its occupants presented Hunter with a dilemma. Should he attack the swarm of giant wasps or attack his primary objective? Hunter decided that the safety of civilians, whether they got themselves into trouble or not, took priority over any military objective. Arming an AIM-9N Sidewinder, a short range heat seeking missile, he targeted the 'Chopper at the centre of the swarm. Once Hunter had achieved a lock he cried out the immortal words that every human pilot wishes to hear "Fox two!" Once said Hunter fired, sending the missile on its dangerous mission. As the missile snaked towards its target, Hunter armed the Sidewinders internal self-destruct system and waited until it was just 30 feet away from the 'Chopper before he ordered its detonation. The fireball from 12Kg of high explosive travelling at twice the speed of sound headed towards the 'Chopper. It incinerated several wasps while injuring others, causing them to shift their attack back to the Raptor, an attack that Hunter had prepared himself for. ************************************************************************ Meanwhile, outside MegaKat Biochemical Dr. Viper observed the air battle and laughed to himself, "Yesss, my plan is working perfectly!" he said to himself. So involved in his mirth, Viper failed to notice two displeased SWAT Kats, and a hastily recruited lone Enforcer, standing behind him. When he eventuality turned around his face made a pleasing *CRUNCH* as T-Bone made his feelings known about what Dr. Viper's plants had done to his beloved TurboKat. "Book 'em" T-Bone said as he and Razor went into MegaKat Biochemical. Stunned, the enforcer did what any good enforcer would do. He arrested the mutated (and mad) Doctor. Inside the corridors of MegaKat Biochemical the SWAT Kats made their way towards the eighth floor with a combination of stealth and caution, but T-Bones thoughts were somewhere else. "What's up, Buddy?" Razor asked, worried that his partner's mind wasn't on the job at hand "I just hope that Hunter can take care of himself with those bugs while we take care of Viper's vines" T-Bone replied. "Don't worry, T-Bone" Razor said casually "I've got a feeling that he's enjoying himself." On one of the lower levels the sound of glass breaking could be heard "Matter of fact, I'm sure of it!" T-Bone noticeably relaxed. He had been concerned for the safety of a fellow pilot and now that he knew that he was in no danger T-Bone could concentrate on the task at hand. ************************************************************************ Without warning, the Raptor made a sharp turn away from a nearby window. Unfortunately for the mutated insect that was in hot pursuit, it went through the window. Hunter took a deep breath as he scanned the horizon and his radar. He relaxed as they both showed clear. On his left VDU he activated his RWR or passive radar, on his right VDU, an inventory of his stores including fuel. Hunter got a surprise on both counts, his RWR found an aircraft on a nearby roof, an area that the computer in his active radar would have ignored, and that he had just over half a tank of fuel left, less than he had expected. Slowing down to a very slow (for a high performance aircraft) 100 mph and altering his course he flew over the building and saw that the helicopter he had rescued from the mutated wasps had suffered some blast damage and was forced to put down. Landing beside the 'Chopper, Hunter departed from the Raptor and ran towards disabled vehicle, attaching a small stick-pin to his collar, ready to lend assistance if required. As he neared the 'Chopper, Hunter noticed that there was black smoke around its exhaust. The engine was seriously damaged. Before Hunter could ask if they needed any help a female Kat stuck a microphone in his face and began asking questions. "Ann Gora, Katseye News," she said, "I'd like to ask you a few questions" In the she-Kat's eyes, Hunter could see a mixture of caution and apprehension. Caution of the unknown SWAT Kat and his weaponry, and apprehension of his reactions to having a microphone shoved in his face. As a pilot and test pilot, Hunter has had his fair share of media attention and having all manner of recording equipment shoved in his face was nothing new. But being interrupted in the middle of an interview by the local law enforcement was a first for both Hunter and Ann. In the mind of Lieutenant Commander Steele, this arrest would get him back in favour with Commander Feral. After the alien aircraft had disabled a Quarter of the Enforcers 'Choppers, Feral had ordered that when the Raptor was spotted all 'Choppers where grounded until it had landed or left the area. When the Raptor touched down, Steele commandeered a 'Chopper. Flying in the Raptor's blind spot, directly behind and beneath the F-22, and using visual tracking, instead of radar, Steele had managed to sneak up on Hunter. When Hunter had left the Raptor and ran towards the news crew, Steele made his move. "Attention unidentified alien!" he began over the 'Choppers loud hailer "This is Lieutenant Commander David Steele, MegaKat City Enforcers. You are under arrest. I order you to place your paws on your head" Hunter briefly considered firing on the 'Chopper with his sidearm, but rejected the idea. With some hesitation, Hunter placed his paws on his head, "Who is that guy?" he asked Ann in a low murmur "He's one Kat that I wouldn't give an interview to!" She quipped "But in reality, he's the Enforcers second-in-command" "And the Enforcers are..." Ann gave Hunter a strange look for a second before she remembered that he was, literally, from another planet. "They are the ones responsible for maintaining law and order" 'Law and order' Hunter thought 'Then there is a good chance that their Commander could be a member of the bureau. Then....' Hunter's thoughts where interrupted when Steele roughly grabbed his shoulder and slapped a set of pawcuffs on his wrists, without informing Hunter of any rights that he might have or telling him why he was being arrested. Johnny, Ann's cameraKat, thinking on his feet, caught the entire incident on camera. When Hunter and Steele made their way towards the waiting 'Chopper Ann turned to her cameraKat, who gave a small nod, and smiled smugly. Steele herded Hunter towards the awaiting Enforcer helicopter and roughly shoved him inside, making sure that Hunter's helmet hit the side of the 'Chopper. Steele laughed his annoying, and nasal, laugh at Hunter's discomfort. Hunter decided to play his 'Trump' card "I request to see the Commander of the Enforcers" "You'll see him after we've finished with you" Steele replied without turning his head Hunter allowed a smile to cross his face. He had done all that he was required to do; now he could act on his own initiative. With a twist of his wrists he released himself from the Pawcuffs. Free of his restraints, Hunter reached underneath his flight harness to the throwing knife that he kept there. Sliding it from its sheath, he examined the blade for any signs of imperfection. Because of their small size, throwing knives were designed to kill, not intimidate, and Hunter didn't want to kill Steele. At least not yet. "Are these yours?" Hunter asked tossing the 'Cuffs into Steele's lap "Why yes, they are" Steele answered not realising that, if those where his pawcuffs, it's captive would be free. "Good, this is mine!" Hunter placed the knife's blade against Steele's neck "Now. I would like you to take me to see the Commander of the Enforcers" he requested, sweetly. Steele could only nod, nervously. ************************************************************************ T-Bone had just polished off the last of Dr. Viper's mutated vines when he received a transmission from Miss Briggs. Touching the side of his helmet where his radio transmitter was hidden he made his reply. "Yes, Miss Briggs" "T-Bone, Steele has arrested the alien. They're probably on their way to Enforcer HQ at this moment" "I copy that, Miss Briggs. Do you know where he parked his aircraft?" "It's on the roof of MegaKat Mutual Insurance. Why do you need to know that?" "I've got an idea" ************************************************************************ Steele's 'Chopper landed on the rooftop helipad of the Enforcer's HQ where Commander Feral was waiting. Feral had been informed earlier by both Ann Gora and Deputy Mayor Callie Briggs that Steele had 'forcibly detained' the alien. He had originally waited on the roof to see if the allegations made by Miss Gora and the Deputy Mayor were true. What he saw surprised him. Instead of Steele restraining an alien, he saw a SWAT Kat with his paw against his second-in-command's neck leading him along the roof. As the pair made their towards the Commander, other Enforcers that were stationed on rooftop duty drew their weapons and advanced cautiously. The only thing that prevented them from turning Hunter into ashes with directed energy fire was the simple fact that, in doing so, they would also kill Commander Steele. Not that killing the little weasel was a bad thing. As the duo neared Commander Feral he noticed the small stickpin on Hunters collar, the same pin that the Commander was given several years ago. "Release him!" Feral ordered. When Hunter complied he was rushed by some the of surrounding Enforcers while others kept their weapons trained on him. Once Hunter had been successfully restrained a second time, Feral had him taken to his office. He would talk to the alien later, after he had dealt with Steele. ************************************************************************ T-Bone piloted the TurboKat to a perfect landing on the roof of MegaKat Mutual. When the engines had finished winding down, T-Bone ran towards Hunter's sleek aircraft. "And what do you think your doing, buddy?" Razor asked his partner "I'm going to take the Raptor for a spin. Why do you ask?" "Are you sure that you can even fly that thing? Its systems are different from the TurboKat" "Don't worry, sureshot. If it has wings, T-Bone can fly it!" "O.K, but if you get yourself killed, I'm never speaking to you again!" T-Bone smiled at the stupidity of Razor's last comment and proceeded to climb into the Raptor's cockpit. His eyes widened in surprise as the many differences between the two aircraft's interior hit him with full force. The first major difference was the flight control systems. Unlike most aircraft that had the control yoke, or flight stick, sitting between the pilots' legs, the Raptor had its stick sitting on the pilots' right hand side. This arrangement made T-Bone feel vulnerable and exposed. The other thing that surprised T-Bone was the lack of switches. Most of the Raptor's systems were computer controlled and as such only a few essential systems had manual overrides. After several seconds of visual searching T-Bone found what he was looking for, a red button encased in a plastic shell, labelled 'START-UP'. When T-Bone pressed the button the Raptor's cockpit sprang to life, one by one systems activated themselves. T-Bone's attention was drawn to the left VDU where a readout of the aircraft's systems was being displayed. BATTERIES TO POWER TURBINES TO SPEED INTERNAL POWER TO ENABLE STARTING INTERNAL POWER ANTI-GRAVS ENABLED ANTI-GRAVS ENGAGED TARGETING SYSTEMS TO ENABLE DOWNLOADING NAVIGATIONAL DATA.....DONE UNDERCARRIAGE RAISED HAVE A NICE DAY!! T-Bone involuntary smiled to himself. If this aircraft was all Hunter had said it was, he would be having a very nice day. With unsteady movements, the Raptor achieved flight, turned and crawled towards the Enforcer's HQ, steadily gathering speed as its pilot's confidence grew. Razor's heart was in his throat as he watched the Raptor lift off the roof of MegaKat Mutual. Once Razor was sure that the Raptor wasn't going to crash in the immediate future, he ran towards the TurboKat and climbed into the pilot's seat. In the unfamiliar territory of the pilot's seat, Razor took a couple of seconds to steady himself and remember where the controls were. Also to remember their exact function. When he had performed his check of the pilots' controls, the TurboKat unsteadily followed the course of the Raptor. ************************************************************************ Hunter did another circuit of the Commander's spacious office. He had removed his restraints at the first opportunity that presented itself, wishing that he would soon be told why he was being detained. Just then Commander Feral walked through the door. Without a word he walked to his desk. He pulled out an identical pin to the one that Hunter wore on his collar "Would you mind telling me who and what you are?" he asked, presenting the pin to Hunter. Taking the pin and examining it closely, Hunter found it to be identical to the one that he was wearing. Stunned he made his reply. "Delta two nine, level 2" Hunter replied giving the identity and rank that he was given during his time with the Assassination Bureau. It was Feral's turn to be stunned, "L-L-Level 2!" "That's right, Commander" Hunter replied, sensing that he had a superior rank "Your Identity please" "Omega one eight seven, level 1" Feral said meekly. It was one of the few times that anybody had any real power over him. Hunter smiled inwardly. In the Bureau, he outranked the commander, by a long way. "I require your assistance, Omega one eight seven" Hunter said in a way that meant that it wasn't a request. It was an order Feral brightened slightly "What do you need?" "A life" Smiling Feral wrote something on a piece of paper and handed it to Hunter. "Go to this address anytime tomorrow. They have the facilities and equipment that you need" Feral checked his watch "Jake and Chance should be here in that dam jet of theirs soon" Hunter gave the Commander a '-who-are-Jake-and-Chance-' look. Feral noticed this and informed Hunter that he had known who the SWAT Kats were ever since they had first arrived. ************************************************************************ On the Rooftop runway of the Enforcers' HQ the few Enforcers that stood guard received their second shock of the day. T-Bone had misjudged his approach to the runway and ended up several meters beneath the runway's overhang. By altering the Gravity Repulsers so that a field of negative gravity surrounded the F-22, he made the aircraft rise. The sight of a sleek, black aircraft rising up from beneath the runway surprised some Enforcers and scared others, but they all had the same thought: MORE ALIENS!!. Reacting purely on self-preservation instincts they opened fire on the Raptor. To his credit T-Bone didn't panic when the Enforcers opened fire. Calmly he piloted the Raptor to a smooth touchdown on the runway and opened the bulletproof canopy and told the offending Enforcers to hold their fire. Upon seeing that it was a SWAT Kat instead of another alien, started to yell abuse at the offending SWAT Kat, who in turn yelled at then with equal fury. High above the runway Feral and Hunter watched the exchange of words between Enforcer and SWAT Kat. Feral noticed a bright pink plastic note being waved in his face, "What's that?" he asked "Five bucks say's that T-Bone wins the fight" "Done!" A fight eventually started and the SWAT Kats won. Twice. ************************************************************************ The flight back was uneventful, T-Bone and Razor in the TurboKat followed by Hunter in the Raptor. When they landed, all hell broke loose. "O.K Tim" Chance began "What on EARTH do you think you were doing?" "Would you believe, my job?" Tim replied, wishing that he was somewhere more pleasant, like one of the seven pits of Hell "Your job? Your job is to stay low until we decide what can be done with you. Your job is not, and I repeat, NOT to get yourself arrested. What if Feral puts two and two together and finds out who we are?" Tim looked at his booted feet. "He knows" he said softly Chance found that he had lost the ability of speech. Seeing this Jake took over Tim's interrogation "Tim what do you mean by 'he knows'?" "What can I say? He knows. The bastard knew who the SWAT Kats were the instant that you two showed your faces" "How did he know that? How did he know who we are?" "Because he works for the same people that I do" By this time Chance had regained the use of his voice. "He works for the RAAF?" "No, the Assassination Bureau" ************************************************************************ To Be Continued..... "Hunter, you stink" "You wear a flight suit for five hours and I'll see how you smell"