He who looks death in the eye... A Swat Kats story by Xanadu Note: The same lists from The War apply here, with the following additions. BTW: Ages over 100, unless specified otherwise, should be read at 1/10 the actual age. Turbo: Rorik (Rory) Jonathan. 24. Vindicator: Mik Jonathan. 24. Krakatoa: Melissa Monroe. 21. Dreadnought: Jim Kielmann. 51. Introduction... It was a quiet day in Megakat City. A light rain was falling. That it would be the last day for one of the Swat Kats was unthinkable. Nate and Rory were in town, practicing a few songs with Rory's cousin, James Jonathan. Jake and Callie were out of town for their third anniversary. It was about one year after the events in War, and Dark Kat was still thought dead. His daughter and his wife, Mind Kat and Darkkon respectively, weren't all that upset over his apparent death (not surprising). Coincidentally, Judge Kincaid had disappeared at about the same time (Razor 2 had decided to keep the secret just that). His wife and daughter had grieved for a reasonable amount of time, and moved on into better times, especially for KinCorp, his daughter's company, whose stock tripled in two weeks. She maintained controlling interest, of course. AJ managed to figure out a way that she could "age" so that things looked a little less conspicuous for she and her husband. All in all, peaceful. The usual disturbances were happening of course, Hard Drive attacking the banks, that sort of thing. Everyone commented on how it seemed that things were much quieter after Dark Kat had disappeared. Not that anyone complained. Freedan had decided to continue boxing after the last Kincaid (who could reasonably be blamed for his past) was gone, and he'd won enough to keep him in a comfortable financial status for the rest of his life (or so most people thought) before moving in with Josie. A new vigilante showed up in the absence of Night Strike and Night Bird, called Krakatoa (it was believed that she had been trained by Night Strike since he knew he was retiring). And, most surprising of all, the Enforcers had actually captured and arrested a super criminal! Granted, it turned out later that he was trying to be caught. He actually had to cuff himself because the ones who caught him hadn't ever had to use the cuffs on a super-kat before. They were rookies though. He finally confessed that he had intended all along on getting a shot at Commander Feral. He didn't know that Internal Security (IS) was more efficient than the patrolling officers. I should probably get back to the main story. Ah yes, I'm the one known as Madame Kat, the one who granted Zarathustra his power. Now, the day that we're talking about was a day when the clouds were pleasantly grey, and anyone who could sense danger probably had a tingling sense up and down their neck all day. But things were calm enough. Until the evening. That evening, an old enemy would make himself apparent. A foe thought gone returned with avengeance. Not Dark Kat, he could be handled easily enough. No, a terrible foe known as Dreadnought... Chapter 1: A Hero Falls... The Swat Kats were all out handling there own business. Bob Tanner was just arriving back from his new job at Enforcer R&D. He was looking forward to the next day. Besides getting a chance to show his new Stun Blaster to the Commander, AJ was supposed to be getting back from her seminar. She was filling in for a friend up at Megakat University, teaching the seminar since her friend had discovered that his wife had gone into labor while on vacation. Ah well, it's good to see her up and about again. For awhile after Ariel was injured, she was down too. All because of that stinkin' linking spell. He was up in his apartment listening to James, Rory, and Nate play through a few old tunes. He spent a few minutes thinking over his life. He remembered his job back at Faroe Lake, at the Organization. He wondered how the old members of Black Squad were doing after parole. At least Jim was still locked up. The judge had it right. Life, without parole. It should have been death though. That line of duty clause can get a guy off anything. The phone rang. Bob picked it up. "Hello?" "Hello Bobby!" "Jim! What do you want?" "I want everything Bobby. Everything. We wouldn't want your little wife finding out about your little secret, would we?" "She knows I was in jail. She knows why, too." "Does she know about the murder charge though?" "That was in the line of duty. You can't blackmail me on that Jim. I've started over since the Faroe Lake incident." "Yeah, but would anyone else believe that?" It was the question which had plagued Robert Tanner since he left the Organization for the Enforcers. And Dreadnought knew it. "What have you done since you escaped?" "I just hijacked the only shipment of Ephedril from Pumadyne Pharmaceuticals to Megakat City. It's a rare chemical you know, and I won't be needing it for a long time. I also paid a visit to HQ. I left Magma and Twister in pieces on the floor. They are the ones who turned me in. You're the only one left Bobby, the only one who wouldn't go along with me. You're next." Bob tried to stay calm. "Pity you turned out the way you did Jim. I could use the old Dreadnought's help sometimes. What brought you to Megakat City?" "You Bobby. If I get caught after my escape anywhere near you, at least I won't be the only member of the old Black squad going down, isn't that right `Geist? Or is that Phantom Kat? Like I said, you're the only person left on my grudge list. Meet me at Megakat City Hall in one hour, or your little secret will be all over Kat's Eye News before they can get Ann Gora up to report it." "I'm not Poltergeist anymore Jim. I see that you know who I am. I'll meet you." " It'll be just like old times again Bobby. I'll see you at city hall. Remember to come in costume." He hung up. Robert Tanner did the same. "That's what I'm afraid of Jim. That's what I'm afraid of." Bob dressed up as Phantom Kat. I wonder how he knew my identity. I don't remember telling him. It must have been someone up at Faroe Lake. Wait a minute... Bob Tanner looked through the old messages for his wife's invitation. I was right. The scumbag Professor betrayed me to his brother. The message was signed by Professor Ron Kielmann, Jim's brother. "Hey Bob! Heard you moving around in here... Why're you suited up?" Bob turned towards James Jonathan. "Sorry buddy, but this one's all mine." "Not a problem. What're you so worried about? You look like you've just seen a ghost!" "An old acquaintance of mine from a few years back is in town. Somebody told him who I was. I guess that it's my responsibility to see that he doesn't cause any trouble. No matter the cost." With that message, he ran from the Scrapyard into his car, and drove off. Razor walked into his room. Nate and Rory were packing up their instruments. Slice and Lady Midnight were heading out towards the roof to see if either one of them could convince the other that "I know jazz better than you do." He walked up after them and got Jess' attention. The two left after him. Then a message came in through all the Swat Kat radio systems. "Swat Kats! Bomb threat at Megakat City Hall. The perp' calls himself `Dreadnought'. Civilians and Enforcers evacuated. Says he'll only deal with Phantom Kat." In a car downtown, Phantom Kat listened to the transmission with disbelief. "Crud. Well Jimmy, you always said that I'd go out with a bang. I guess this means I'll have to stop you from killing me after I defuse the bomb. You always had a flare for the dramatic. And your bombs are very dramatic." He sped up further and blew through a deserted alley, on his way to a confrontation he had known was coming for years. In another car, the one tailing him, they matched his speed. Razor shook his head slowly. "I wonder if that Dreadnought guy is the one who he's going after." Jess Palazzo thought it over. "Could be. Could be." Back at the Scrapyard, Rory Jonathan heard the message too. "Well Nate, I guess it's time for Turbo to get going. I'll probably be finishing my mission sooner than I thought. Might even get a little extra R&R for this. Could you get me my Ephedril before I go? I don't want Mik giving me any trouble while I handle Dreadnought." "Not a problem Rory." Nate went out and found his friends pills. Only three Ephedril left after this one. I'd better see if the place in town here can refill the prescription. He took the pill in for Rory, who drank it down quickly and left. Near City Hall... Dreadnought stood on top of the building and looked out over the city. Those fools actually thought he was at City Hall. Oh, brother. I thought that Phantom Kat would present more of a challenge than the others. Let's see how well he does... He focused his binoculars on City Hall. Bobby's there. Right on schedule... Robert Tanner crouched and looked at the bomb. Enough power here to blow Manx's rear halfway to action. No sweat. All I have to do is clip the red wire. He opened the panel, noticing that all the wires were red. "Dreadnought you miserable psychopath!!!" He went back to trying to figure out which wire to clip. Careful Bob, don't want to set this thing off. Only thirty seconds left. I've got to warn the others! "I can't stop it! It's going to blow!" Seconds later, the top six stories of city hall went up in smoke. On the ground, the Swat Kats watched in disbelief as the building went up. Turbo had just arrived, and he picked up a flaming cloth. Lady Midnight broke down when she saw it. All Razor could do was ask, "Who'll tell AJ". It was the fiery remains of Phantom Kat's mask. Through it all, Dreadnought laughed with evil glee... Chapter 2: Sorrow now Arriving on Runway 13... The Swat Kats who were out arrived back at the base at midnight to discover that Kats Eye news had interrupted their other programming for a special announcement... "At 11:15 P.M., last night... the Swat Kat known as Phantom Kat was killed in a bomb blast which decimated the top six floors of Megakat City Hall... Even Commander Feral seemed affected by the city's loss, and was quoted as having said `I only hope that whoever was responsible for this isn't caught by me...' How many others feel this way is uncertain, but it can be told with conviction that the entire law-abiding population of Megakat City extends their sorrow to the Swat Kats, and their gratitude for Phantom Kat's conviction towards justice... This isis truly the darkest day this reporter has seen... Ann Gora... signing off." Ann had run off camera. It was obvious from the way she had talked that she was on the verge of crying herself. Towards the end of the broadcast, a person could almost see tears. Fortunately, AJ wouldn't be able to hear the news on the plane. While they waited for her, they decided that they'd wait until she was home to tell her about it. They chose T-Bone for the sorry task, and all went to try and handle their own grief. Rory and Nate lost themselves in their music. Razor, always trying to seem the calm one, went to try and help Scott with AJ when she got back. Catspaw and Bruno silently started up a game of pool, and the rest went up with Lady Midnight and Slice to listen to some decent blues on top of the roof. Their minds were all different, but they all held one basic thought. Of all of us, why did it have to be Bob. He had so much to look forward to... There were a couple other thoughts, like: Just wait until I get my hands on the crud who did this... or, That Dreadnought's a dead kat. If I ever catch the SOB, he's dead meat. Lieutenant Sami Higgins had come by to tell her friends at the Scrapyard more bad news (she thought). She told them that Commander Feral had identified the body of Robert Tanner, found three buildings away from City Hall. According to the attending physician, it looked like he'd been caught in the blast. Jeff O'Hara met her at the gate. "Jeff, I'm sorry that I have to bring you news like this." "Don't feel sorry for me Sami. Feel sorry for AJ. At least she's not here right now." "I have to leave. Feral's put almost everybody on the assignment of catching that Dreadnought crud." "Be careful Sami. Remember what happened to Phantom Kat." "I'll remember." She looked at him for a few moments longer, then left. AJ's plane was arriving in about thirty minutes. Scott and James tried to compose themselves enough that they could keep from telling her when she got into the car. They drove off to the airport. When the plane arrived, she got off looking happy. She got through the various stations as fast as she could, and met them at the gate. "Where's Bob? I thought he'd be meeting me here?" "Wait until we get home. Then we'll tell you." Her face fell. "I knew something had happened." She didn't press them for details. They drove back in silence and waited until after she had sat down. "So, what happened?" Scott just couldn't say anything. James decided he should explain. "He went out late at night to meet with someone. Lady Midnight and I followed him to Megakat City Hall. On the way, a guy called Dreadnought called in a bomb threat and said that he'd only deal with Phantom Kat. Bob went up there, but no one was around. Then it just, went off. The Enforcers found his body this morning." AJ collapsed into tears as the others gathered around her. For the next several minutes, James stood back and watched as everyone vented their grief in their own ways again. Even Catspaw was crying. Haven't seen her cry since Bruce was killed by the Prophet. Those were the days. The dead would return and life moved on. Look at us now. The mighty Swat Kats. This is enough! He slammed his paw against the wall, and wound up hitting the alarm button. When everyone looked up he spoke again. "Look at us! We're crying like we can't do anything about this. I don't know about anything else, but I'm going out after this Dreadnought." The others stood up, even AJ. "You're right James. Let's get that jerk. Let's pay him back for what he did to Bob!" They all ran to their ready rooms and got suited up. They took their vehicles and started out. Ariel had to come and pick AJ up on the Dragontron, but she had stirred herself up into a vengeful fury too. The only ones left behind were Nate and Rory. Chapter 3: Seeking Vengeance... And sanity... Nate stood up and started packing. "Rory, are we headed back?" "I need to talk to Feral first. I'll let him report to the Captain for me." "I have to tell you something." "What is it, Nate?" "You've only got three Ephedril left. I checked out the pharmacies. Pumadyne Pharmacy's shipment was hijacked. And their totally out in Faroe Lake, for at least a week." "Oh crud. I guess that means I'll have to stretch it out." "Yeah, but it'll still only last four days. You still have to dose up for tonight." Nate finished packing as Rory suited up as Turbo and left to talk with Commander Feral. At Enforcer HQ, Megakat City... Commander Feral stood on the roof. He looked at the damage done to City Hall and laughed grimly when he remembered the Mayor's typical first concern. The money to rebuild the building. I can't believe it. Robert Tanner, gone. He was the only Swat Kat I could ever get along with too, besides his wife. I hope Turbo gets here soon. I have to tell him about the plan. He turned around to see the shadowy outline of Turbo standing along the edge of the building. Commander Feral decided to start things. "Is it Mik, or a friend?" "A friend, Commander. I'm going back to Faroe Lake. I'll lose my commission to hunt down Dreadnought, unless he turns up again, but I don't care about losing him. What burns me up is that I lost a civilian in the process. He was a good friend of mine." "Yeah. Bob got along with pretty much everyone. Did he tell you about his plan?" "No. Too bad he'll never finish it." "Let me describe it to you. You might be able to help, now that he can't." Feral started talking quietly with Turbo. Turbo's eyebrows raised, but he didn't give anymore reaction than that. "Thanks for telling me Feral. I'll see what I can do about it. I've got a train to catch now. Good bye." He handed Feral a packet of papers. "Good bye." Feral stepped back into the building. I'll fax Turbo's report to the Captain in the morning. Now's time to get some sleep. He heard something at the door. What's that? He walked towards it carefully, reaching for the Cougar he kept in his pocket. He saw the outlines of the Swat Kats, and let out his breath. "Could you let us in Feral?" "I should probably arrest all of you for vigilantism. However, I'm in a forgiving mood towards you tonight. I take it you want to see the body?" He opened the door and watched them pile in. AJ answered first. "Yes. I think that I, at least, have a right to." "You do. Follow me." Feral led them along, past the second shift Enforcers filing their reports and the third shift Enforcers signing in. He led them into the morgue, and opened the third chamber down. "Here he is." The Swat Kats looked at Bob's body. He looked like he had been caught in the middle of several kilograms of C4. Feral refused to turn him around so that they could see his back. "Bob was a good friend of mine. I can't stand to see that again." He turned away and sighed. "We're doing everything we can to track down that Dreadnought person, but we don't have any jurisdiction outside Megakat City. And only an idiot would stay here after doing this." He motioned to Bob's body. "According to our files, this guy isn't an idiot. If you're looking for information, I have a lead that would take me up to Faroe Lake. And my rank wouldn't mean anything up there." James stepped forward. "We understand. What's the lead?" "Professor Kielmann." Danger gasped and Commander Feral looked slightly confused about it. "I have a contact who says that Kielmann's related to Dreadnought. According to prison records, Dreadnought's real name is Jimmy Kielmann." "Thank you Commander. You know, if you keep acting like this, you might actually make people think that you don't hate us." "Get out of here." The Swat Kats walked out, but AJ stayed behind for a few more moments. She turned away from Bob, towards the Commander. "Commander Feral. I've told you before that Bob had said he forgave you for what you did. I want to thank you for your help catching his murderer. I think that you might actually be working your way towards having me forgive you." She turned briskly, and walked after her friends. They arrived back at the Scrapyard to find a message saying that Rory and Nate had gone back to Faroe Lake by train. Then they took off again. On route to Faroe Lake... Rory sat up in the dining car at 8:00 in the morning. Nate was probably asleep by now. He heard jets rushing past. Who'd be flying at this hour? Rory took out his bottle of Ephedril and looked at the last three pills. He took one out and asked for a Bloody Mary, without the Vodka. When the drink arrived, he drank down the pill. Two left. Even stretching it, that means that I'll be out in four days. And then a long wait. On a hunch, he checked his supply of X tablets. Good. Still have five months worth. Even if I lose the tablets, I should be okay. He checked a calendar. It was the first. He drank down an X tablet and went back to his car. He lay awake for an hour, but fell asleep soon after... At Faroe Lake... The Swat Kats arrived after about an hour of flight. They checked out rooms in their normal identities and slept until 9:00 A.M., July second. Then they headed out to meet Professor Ronald Kielmann while they were in civvies. They arrived at his house just as he after he got home from work. He turned towards them and smiled at AJ. "Hello Anakata! What brings you back to Faroe Lake so soon?" "What do you think Ron? My friends have come to back me up here. Jimmy brought me." Kielmann paled. He knew what that meant. "I'm sorry AJ. I didn't have a choice in the matter. Bob told you what dealing with him was like." "Yeah. He said that it was like dealing with the devil. Jimmy gets your tail caught in the door, and doesn't open it until he gets what he wants. What did he hold over your head Ron? What did it take to convince you to lure an me up here so that Dreadnought could kill my husband?" "He has my wife. He kidnapped her while she was on vacation in Megakat City. All he told me was that if I didn't tell him everything I knew about Bob, and get you out of Megakat City, he'd kill her." "So you lied to me to save your wife? That I could understand. But why'd you set up Bob?" "I didn't know he'd kill Bob. I'm so sorry AJ, but I didn't stop to think about what might happen." "You're dang right you didn't stop to think. Bob's dead because of you. I thought I should tell you something. Your wife called me on the phone the day before I left for Megakat City. She told me that she'd be getting back to Faroe Lake early. She should be arriving on the next train. She wanted to surprise you, but wanted to tell somebody. That's why I knew something was wrong. Jimmy wasn't anywhere near her the whole time." Ronald Kielmann paled even more. "By the Fates... I'm so sorry. I'm so sorry." "Go. Meet your wife. And tell her I said hello." Professor Kielmann left for the train station. He said something about sleeping at the station, so he wouldn't miss her. On his way out, he apologized again. Mina turned towards AJ. "I don't know how you could be so calm towards him. If someone had done something like that to Bruce, I don't think they'd be alive now." "I couldn't hurt him Mina. He has a young, pregnant, wife. He didn't set that bomb, just set Bob up for a meeting with an old friend. Anyway, I know something you guys don't. Bob told me that he'd left a tape here, above the ram's head." She stuck her paw up above the trophy and pulled out a cassette tape. It was labeled "Safety", and was still in an old case. It looked like it hadn't been touched in years. The Swat Kats returned to Megakat City. They were out of leads unless something was on that tape. At the station... At the train station, Rory and Nate got off alongside Mrs. Kielmann. She said that her husband had some old Ephedril around from when his brother was loose. However, Jimmy's in jail now, and doesn't need it. If it could help, she was willing to see if her husband would give some up. Rory wasn't listening that carefully. He could hear them again. Mik, in the back of his mind, telling him to go after "that blasted Dreadnought bloke". Cass, feeding him thoughts and memories of his months on the streets. Jonathan, talking about the times as Turbonator. And his tiny voice of sanity, Nathaniel. Nathaniel was always with him when the Ephedril wore off. If it wasn't for Nathaniel being there, inside him, the others could take control easily. It's not that `ard to take over anyway, Wimpy Rory. "Thank you Mrs. Kielmann, but I still have a few pills. They should keep me until Faroe Lake Pharmaceuticals gets some more. I only need to take it every two days." Yeah. Try to act as tough as me if you want. It's a lost cause Rory. Let me `andle things! I'll get that Dreadnought. You'll get your pay then. "Alright. Sorry if I bothered you." "Not at all, ma'am. Good bye." I'll see you and your `usband soon nuff, Sheila. "Good bye." Nate turned towards Rory with a puzzled look on his face. "Why'd you tell her you only took it every two days? You know that you need to take it every twelve hours." "Yes Nate. But I can handle it until they get some more up at the pharmacy. I'll just try to live calmly until then. After all, what if Jimmy Kielmann got out of jail. I doubt that the prison would give him some Ephedril as a parole gift." Anyway, if Jimmy Kielmann doesn't show up, it'll prove that `e's Dreadnought. Only Dreadnought'd `ave the Ephedril needed to `andle the time `til more arrives, judgin' by wot Feral said. If I'm right, like I certainly am, then we'll nail `im. "Alright. I just don't like it. How you holding up?" "Don't worry. It's only been thirteen hours since the last pill. The voices aren't giving me any trouble yet." At least, not much trouble. Jonny's gettin' to be a bloody nuisance, that's all. Just wait until I `ave the proof I need. "Maybe you should take some of my Coradril?" "Nate, the doctor said that it wouldn't help me out that much. The Coradril would only help the schizophrenia. It's the DID that really gives me trouble." Not that the other two `elp either of us out any. Rivals for your body. Just take the Coradril, Rory. Get rid of Nathaniel and Cass and I'll be more than `appy to get rid of Dreadnought. "I still wonder why they let you out sometimes. You know the sort of things Mik and Jon do." "They only kill people who're legitimate enemies. I can handle them well enough." As long as we stay under. Don't worry Rory, I won't let the others `urt little ol' you. Doesn't mean that I won't let them at Nathaniel though. The bloody jerk thinks `e can keep you on the straight and narrow. Well `e's wrong! You just wait Rory. I'll be the one `elpin' you, not Nathaniel. I'll be `elpin' you. Let's go `ome. "Let's go home." "Okay." The two took a taxi back to their house. Nate started unpacking as soon as he could, and heard Rory gulping down water in the next room. Well, so much for stretching it. I can't blame him though. I'd better take my Coradril pretty soon too. After he unpacked, he took one of his pills and waited for Rory to finish. "Hey, Rory. What are you planning on doing about Dreadnought next?" "Waiting Nate. Waiting. I can't handle too much more of this you know? It's bad enough losing a target, but to lose a civilian too..." "Rory, you can't kill yourself over this. It wasn't your fault. And, if you've forgotten, you are a civilian." "Yeah, I'm not about to kill myself over it. Any idea where I packed my bass?" "In with the guitar." "Thanks." Rory went out after his bass, and started tuning it for the concert that night... Back at Megakat City... AJ sat in her room. He's not even buried yet. Maybe I should give it a break until after the funeral. No, I have to do this now. If I let it stew, I might not get back on the right trail. She put the tape in the player, and turned it on. She fought to hold back tears when her husband started speaking. "January third, 1979. Ex-agent Robert Tanner recording. If anyone but Ron Kielmann is listening to this tape, it probably means that something went horribly wrong and I'm dead. In light of my recent resignation from Faroe Lake law enforcement, I've decided to put together a tape detailing all I know about Black Squad, a group which formed a major threat to Faroe Lake during the last part of my career. This tape is my security. If anything happens to me which can be connected to Black Squad, this tape gets sent to the nearest group which can do anything about it. All I have is information on members Magma, Twister, and Dreadnought. The majority of my information is on Dreadnought. All I have on Magma and Twister was that they turned Dreadnought in before escaping. Now, for Dreadnought. "Dreadnought is a lunatic. Besides his megalomanic and sociopathic tendencies, he suffers from DID, and takes Ephedril to relieve himself of the symptoms. Unlike some patients who take Ephedril, he doesn't suffer from schizophrenia. Speaking from knowledge of the subject, he does suffer from his alternate personality trying to take over when he misses his dose of Ephedril. The main personality of Dreadnought is Jimmy Kielmann. It should be noted that he IS NOT the twin brother of Ronald Kielmann. Instead, Ronald Kielmann is the dominant personality, the one which exhibits itself when Ephedril is taken. Jimmy Kielmann doesn't suffer the "voice in my head" symptom of having his alternate personality trying to take over, instead being the voice in Ronald Kielmann's head. Ronald Kielmann is relatively harmless, except for his terror at the possibility that someone will learn his secret, and the possibility that Jimmy will take over and not be affected by a later dose of Ephedril. Unlikely event, but one that must be remembered. Jimmy and Ronald Kielmann are two entirely different people, right down to handwriting. Only physical aspects will hint that they are the same (like fingerprints). "Dreadnought's abilities make him rather like a tank. His armor, provided by the ones who trained him, grant him the ability to take massive damage, as exhibited in my first case involving him. He was struck by an Enforcer missile square in the chest, and was still able to fight afterwards. His offensive abilities include herculean strength, and a heightened skill in demolitions. His MO generally involves either bombs or use of his strength, sometimes together. His psychological instability would seem to have made him an outcast in his group. The only ones who can tolerate him are Salamander, Undine, and, to an extent, Poltergeist. Even Poltergeist seems to think he goes overboard sometimes. As such, it seems that he could easily be caught without the aid of his allies. The only problem is placing him under arrest with a reasonable expectation of losses (current estimates are around 160 Enforcers minimum, and countless innocents, in a capture situation). As such, he is to be handled with extreme care. Poltergeist is probably the only obvious weak link in the Squad, and should be targeted for a possible side-change. Be warned again: Dreadnought is a casual killer. He doesn't care about innocent or not! He will kill any who get in his way, or any who cross him. The information in these old files may be old, but it is accurate. Dreadnought was captured with the aid of Poltergeist, Magma, and Twister, at the cost of 16 Enforcers and 6 innocents (Salamander and Undine were working with Dreadnought as well, forcing all involved to focus more on fighting each other than the Enforcers)." The tape ran silent for several minutes more, and *clicked* as it turned off. The only clues are links to those others. I wonder if Krakatoa might know something about them... AJ picked up the phone. She dialed Josie's number and waited. It rang three times before it was picked up. "Hello? This is the Amese residence." "Josie? This is AJ. I was wondering if Night Strike might be able to contact Krakatoa for me? I don't have a clue as to where he might be, but you and Freedan seem to have some chance of finding him most of the time." "I'll see what I can do. Any particular reason why you want to find Krakatoa?" "I think she might know someone who was involved with this Dreadnought guy. Some of the people up at the Scrapyard want to try and take him out." "I'll talk to Freedan." "Thanks." AJ hung up and sat back in her chair. She started thinking about how things might have been until she fell asleep. Back in Faroe Lake, six days later... Nate opened up the door to Rory's house. He stuck his head into Rory's apartment, expecting to see him. He didn't. Nate paled. Could he be at Mik's place? Nate stuck his head into Mik's apartment to see Rory, if it was still Rory, clutching the side of the door. He was cracking. "Rory? How are you?" "Not good Nate. Thirty-six hours since the last Ephedril. Any news from the pharmacy?" `ope not Rory. You want to end all my fun already? And `ere I am, thinkin' you might be startin' to crack. "None. Do you want me to get you some Coradril?" "No! The Coradril would only shut up the other two. Mik and Jonny would be able to concentrate on me alone. He has to deal with the others as long as Nathaniel and Cass are around." Bloody right. Blasted annoyin' `tis. I just `ope you come to your senses `fore the pharm'cy gets more Ephedril. Let me `andle Dreadnought Rory! I'll do `im quick. Quick an' painless. YES! You're startin' ta crack Rory. Just a little further... Nate reached into his pocket. "I need you to calm down Rory. If you don't calm down, I'll have to hurt you. I don't want to do that." "You won't do anything Nate. I know you too well. Get your hand out of that pocket." Nate noticed Rory's hand hovering over his hip holster. Nate brought his hand out with the dart gun in it and fired. Rory was hit in the shoulder and falling before he could get his gun out. Nate walked out of the room. Chapter 4: Reputation Ruined... The Swat Kats awoke to a horrible sight in the morning paper. The headlines read "Phantom Kat... Former Member of Black Squad!" Everyone in Megakat City knew about Black Squad. A group of criminals notorious for what was known as the "Faroe Lake Incident", where six innocents and sixteen Enforcers died during a botched bank robbery. Only one person was convicted and sent to jail, though the trial was secret and nobody knew who it was. The newspaper article said this, and much more... "...Rumors from an anonymous source have linked Megakat City's beloved Phantom Kat to the super villains of Black Squad. While the reporters of this newspaper were at first incredibly skeptical, our own independent investigations have found evidence linking Phantom Kat to the Squad member Poltergeist. As can be expected, we were shocked to discover this apparent breach of trust between a Swat Kat and the public. (story continued on page six)" AJ flung the paper onto the table and screamed. She ran out of the room and could be heard taking off in the Dragontron. The others read the full article over again. The first thoughts that came to mind were obvious: This can't be true... or: How could he do this to us... Meanwhile, at the Amese residence... Freedan Katsylyan read the paper again, and started thinking about it. I suppose that Phantom Kat could have done that. It wasn't he who killed those innocents though, it was that bomber. I wonder if Krakatoa is in. He picked up the phone and dialed a number he knew well. Ring... Ring... Ring... The phone was picked up. An incredibly perky voice answered. "Melissa's Place, video and cassette rentals, hair styling, books, and herbal remedies!" The voice lost it's perkiness. "And speculation on libel charges against certain Mega Kat City newspapers, but that's my own business. Who's this?" "Hello Melissa. How are things at the store?" She squealed. "Uncle Freedan! I haven't heard from you since you tried to get me to close up the shop so that I could focus on Krakatoa! Things are great up here, except for the recent news. Have you read that article?! Slandering the dead!" "I've read it. I have a favor to ask of you." "Anything! Especially if it'll help clear Phantom Kat's name." "I need you to find out anything you can about former Organization agents Salamander, Undine, and Poltergeist. It's for a friend hunting down Dreadnought." "No problem! I still have some, embarrassing, information about the Captain from when I was there. Tell your friend that I'd love to help, too." "I will. I still think that you should drop either the store, or Krakatoa. Both are reminders of your past." "If I forget about my past, I'll only have the future to look forward to. Anyway, both of them help me work off a little steam. Bye Uncle Freedan. Tell Aunt Josie I said hi!" "Goodbye Melissa." He hung up the phone and rubbed his temples. He was just leaning back in his chair as Josie came into the room. "How's Melissa?" "Perky. How else? She says `Hi', and that she'll find out what she can. I don't know how she can be so cheerful, given her life. I really don't." "Give her some credit! After being kitnapped when she was six, she needs some cheerfulness. Leave her alone about the store. It's almost her only source of pleasure. And I really don't want to see her if it she only had vigilantism as a hobby." "You're right. As usual." He stood up and kissed her on the cheek as he walked out of the room. She shivered slightly and stood there thoughtfully for a few minutes, almost feeling guilty at enjoying her life after these recent tragedies. I just hope that AJ and her friends don't go overboard. Two wrongs don't make a right. That vampire half of me's proof of that... She followed after Freedan, and started a pot of coffee brewing. At Faroe Lake... Nate clenched his fists around the Mega Kat City paper as the pain in his head returned. Blasted doctors. Said that the cancer treatments wouldn't be hurting me any more. He downed a couple pain killers and wondered about Rory. If it weren't for those idiots down at the Organization, he'd be fine now. Wouldn't be needing that blasted Ephedril every twelve hours. Wouldn't be needing those X tablets every month. Wouldn't be dying every hour. If only he hadn't been forced to work in that project. What's that? Nate stood up and walked towards Mik's apartment. Crash...Rrrrip... Nate heard the sounds of grim laughter as somebody chambered two rounds in the 10 gauge that Mik had up on his wall. Nate opened the door and cowered. It was Mik again. "'Lo there Nate! `Ow you doin'? Oh, don't worry, Rory's okay, he'll just be under for awhile. It's time for Vindicatah to get that bloody Dreadnought gent'. `Ope you don't mind me leavin' now. An' I wouldn't be tryin' to get that trank gun o' yours now. It'd only put Jonathan in charge, an' Turbonatah's worse than me." "I- I tranquilized you!" "You tranked Rory. Remembah, trankin' the body o' somebody with MPD, or DID just might let one o' the other minds out. Now, out o' my way!" He shoved Nate's cowering form through the door and stormed out of his room dressed as his alter-ego, Vindicator. Back in Mega Kat City... Danger was at the office of the newspaper that had published the story about Bob. She hammered on the office of the reporter who had written the story, a young she-kat named Tabbitha Bloomsdale. Tabbitha answered the door. "Who's-" She was interrupted mid-sentence by Danger shoving her back into her office and slamming the door. "What's this all about?! What do you think you're doing?!" "I'm finding out who put you up to writing this article `bout my husband. Now, who's the "anonymous source"?" "I can't tell. I promised that I'd never reveal his name." "Listen girl, you can either tell me what I want to know here, or you can tell me while you're in a hospital bed!" "You won't do that. You're a Swat Kat." "No. I'm not. I'm one of the Dangerous Duo. The only thing left of my husband is his reputation, and your article ruined that!" "Here. This file contains all my evidence about Black Squad. I don't need it anymore. It contains the known identities and affiliations of several members. I don't know Poltergeist's identity, but I have a lot of evidence that he was Phantom Kat, including a signed confession from an `R. T.' that was attached to a document stating that `R. T.' was Phantom Kat. Enjoy it. There's the proof that his reputation wasn't deserved. I'm sorry about your husband. And I'm sorry that I had to kill a legend. If I hear anything about Dreadnought, I'll give it to somebody at Enforcer HQ so that they can give it to you." "Thank you. Good bye." Danger slammed the door behind her on her way out. Tabby Bloomsdale sat in her chair and thought about what she was just done to Bob. Then a sadistic little smile crept across her face. "That'll teach Bob Tanner that he shouldn't mess around with the Organization." She let out a light, mirthless laugh and punched out for the day... Hours later... AJ sat in her room at the scrapyard, devastated. It's true. All of it is true. My husband was a member of the worst criminal threat to hit Faroe Lake. At least he wasn't one who had killed anyone. She picked up a bottle with her trembling paws, and poured herself a third drink. After she took the first sip, the phone rang. She stopped and picked up. It was Josie. "Hello? Is this AJ Tanner?" "Yeah. It's me. How are you Josie?" "I'm okay. Night Strike gave me some information on those names. Said something about Krakatoa getting the information, but it turns out that all the names were connected to Black Squad and a government Black-Ops group. All I know is that there's something going on that's more than meets the eye. I also found out that Dreadnought is supposed to be hiding here, in Megakat City. Night Strike and Krakatoa have gone after him already. Do you think the Swat Kats will go?" "I'm sure of it. What's the address?" Josie gave it to AJ. "Thanks Josie. I'll see what can be done." But I'm sure as hell not sending the Enforcers out to be killed. I doubt that armor's any weaker now than before. She suited up and told the Swat Kats what she'd found out. Then she took off on her Hover-Board Ariel has to be left out of this. She's still injured. A half-hour later, they'd all arrived to find Night Strike and Krakatoa there, but nobody else... Chapter 5: Surprises revealed... In Faroe Lake... Ronald Kielmann lay awake in his bed. Molly's still okay. Jimmy's loose, but he can't hurt us. Too bad about Bob. He was a good man. What's that? He heard someone breaking down the door. "Jimmy?" Vindicator, Faroe Lake's murderous vigilante, stood in the doorway, holding a 12 gauge shotgun. "No guvnah, it's not Jimmy. It's Vindicatah, an' I was wonderin' if you knew where that Dreadnought bloke is?" "I don't know what you're talking about." "Oh? Too bad guvnah, cause that means I'll have to use ol' Bessy `ere to jog your memory. Sure you don't know where he is?" "No, I don't know where he is. Please, I have a pregnant wife in the other room. Leave us alone." "Oh yes, Mrs. Kielmann. I don't s'pose she'd like to come out here and join the fun, would she?" "You leave her out of this you jerk!" "Feisty, aren't we. Now, you tell me where you brother is," he fired his gun into the couch, "or that couch'll be your `ead. Where's Dreadnought?" "I'm telling you, I have no idea. I think he's somewhere in Megakat City, but I'm not sure!" Thanks a lot bro. Double cross me, will you! I'll get you for this bro... "He knows you're coming. I swear, he's telepathic or something! He knows I just double crossed him." Molly Kielmann stepped into the doorway. "Ronald? What happened in here? I-" She spotted Vindicator and stopped. "Sorry Sheila, I'm outta `ere!" He ran out of the room, leaving the teacher and his wife to wonder what had happened. She went back to sleep, knowing that the Enforcers of Faroe Lake couldn't hope to stop Vindicator. Ronald stayed up long enough to make a report to the police (leaving out the fact that he did know his brother's whereabouts), and went into his closet. Then he pulled out the armor, and changed without knowing it. Jimmy Kielmann flew out to his Megakat City hideout, and saw that all but Vindicator and Danger had left. He smiled. I won't break a sweat killin' those two idiots. He crashed through the window, and attacked. His first punch threw Danger up against the wall, and she staggered about until she got her balance back enough to use her Hover-Board to get out of his reach. Then he turned his attention towards Vindicator. "You SOB, you got my brother to betray me. I'll deal with him in my own sweet time, but you're first!" He activated the gun in his armor and launched a Gel Shell at him. It hit and exploded, leaving him unconscious. Dreadnought approached to finish it, but was interrupted when the Hover-Board crashed into him. He reached up and grabbed Danger's ankle, pulling her down. "You're out of your league girl. Now I'll finish what I started with Bob!" He started strangling her, and was interrupted by the figure at the door. "Dreadnought! Let her go." Dreadnought turned and removed his helmet to see better. Then he paled. "Bobby!" Chapter 6: The End... "That's right Jimmy, it's me. Rumors of my death are vastly overrated. Now I've come to stop you." "Never! I won't be put in that prison again! You'll never take me alive!" He charged at Phantom Kat, dropping AJ to the ground. Phantom Kat pulled out a dart gun, and fired the dart. It struck Jimmy Kielmann in the neck, and he grabbed at his throat. "What did you shoot me with?" "Ephedril Jimmy. The supply in the back room was water soluble. Goodbye Jimmy." The battle for Dreadnought's mind raged within. Ronald overcoming the mind of his "brother". Then he came to the surface, and saw that he was wearing the armor. Then he fainted. Phantom Kat picked up his old friend and locked him in the back of his truck. He walked into the room where his wife and Vindicator were unconscious, and injected Vindicator with another Ephedril dart. In minutes, Turbo was waking up and leaving to return to Faroe Lake, after ensuring that Phantom Kat would send him an explanation ASAP. Then Bob picked up his wife and drove back to the Scrapyard. Hours Later... A few hours later, Kat's Eye News was broadcasting the news that Dreadnought had been arrested and turned over to Faroe Lake law enforcement. An old tape of the "Faroe Lake Incident" proved that Phantom Kat had not been involved with the killing of several people, and the dead kat had his reputation restored. Nobody but the Swat Kats and a few Enforcers knew about Phantom Kats miraculous "return from the dead", which he was in the middle of explaining... "I could see that the bomb was going to explode, so I started running. I got far enough away to avoid being killed. Feral showed you guys a dummy that had been mocked up. He knew that I was alive and hunting Dreadnought. I didn't know what would happen, but I needed to get Dreadnought off of my tail before I could try anything against him. So I faked my death in Dreadnought's bomb blast, like I said before, and carried on. I wanted more than anything to tell you guys, but I couldn't risk Dreadnought finding out from the way you guys acted. So that's what happened. Now I think I'll retire from being a vigilante." That comment got almost as many gasps as his return. "I'm getting older. I need to live as Robert Tanner. Phantom Kat will still show up sometimes, but much less frequently. Only when he's needed. I need time to live my own life." AJ reached around her husband's neck and crawled up onto his lap. "I think we can arrange that honey. I always worried about you anyway. After all, it's not like you're immortal or anything. Does this mean you'll still be working for Feral?" "Yeah. The Enforcers need my designs. Razor," he turned towards James, "I think you can take over here for me. I'll let you guys have my designs before the Enforcers, of course. Good night." He stood up carrying his wife, and went on up to his room. "Dying once is enough for me." He laughed grimly and went into his room. The others stayed up for a couple hours longer and went to their own rooms. Things were back to normal, and the dead had returned again. ??