Written By: Jessie Clawson

It’s been a week since Jessie brought Dark Kat in, while nearly getting herself killed. It was all over the news and Megakat City, and Ann Gora got her exclusive from Jessie as the Enforcer had promised. Jessie didn’t like to be in the spotlight but suppose after catching Dark Kat solo this wasn’t so bad and it was waited for.

Jessie felt much better after sleeping for almost a day. The color was back in her cheeks and the signs of tiredness were gone.

Chance was feeling way better now as well. His cousin was getting better and there was nothing endangering his life. He was however complaining about not being able to return to duty in a month or so. Both Jake and Chance had visited Jarrod everyday, sometimes running into Jake’s sister and her partner Felina.

Back in the garage work wasn’t piling up as bad as it could be. Jake was able to work on the Turbokat more than on the cars, Chance didn’t mind, he knew that the Turbokat had to be in tip top shape anytime of day and night.

"Hey Jake." Chance called for his partner’s attention as he came down to the hangar. Jake was nowhere in Chance’s sights. "Jake?" Chance called.

"Uh yeah?" Came the muffled reply from the cockpit of the Turbokat."

"What are you doing up there?" Chance asked. "That’s my seat."

"Running a check on the systems, Chance." Jake said matter-o-factly. "Just because you’re the pilot, doesn’t mean I can’t even sit in the cockpit." Jake shot back.

"Careful not to cause any *accidents* Jake." Chance replied with a sly grin.

"Hey I know how to fly this thing, I built her." Jake responded. "Heads up!" He suddenly yelled tossing a wrench in Chance’s direction. Chance ducked as the wrench sailed past him.

"Hey what was that for?" He asked looking up at his partner.

"Why leave clutter in the Turbokat, Chance?" Jake responded with a grin. "I can’t just throw it on the wing, I’m sick and tired of dings already." He replied.

"Yeah well there’s no need to throw it at me." Chance replied as he picked up the wrench and put it in the tool box near the Turbokat.

"Sorry, you were in the way." Jake replied with a shrug. "At least I warned you."

"If you weren’t in the Turbokat, Jake, I’d kill you." Chance shot back.

"What would you do without a WSO?" Jake replied.

"I’ll figure something out." Chance replied. "Maybe fly solo or get a new partner."

"Come up here and say it buddy " Jake replied. He knew Chance was kidding. Neither of them could live without the other, both knew it well.

"That’s not why I’m here Jake. Lunch’s here." Chance said.

"I think I’ll skip lunch, just this once." Jake replied. "I need to run a complete check on the systems." He said nodding towards the control panel of the Turbokat.

"Oh no you don’t. You skipped lunch for the past week, and besides working on empty stomach isn’t good for you." Chance said.

"I thought you could fly solo." Jake said looking up from the control panel.

"Hey I was only kidding, you didn’t think I was serious did you?" Chance asked.

"The thought crossed my mind." Jake said. "I guess you’re right, maybe I should eat. The system looks good anyway." He said as he leapt out of the cockpit.

"That’s because you are constantly upgrading it." Chance replied. "Now come on, the food’s getting cold." He said with a grin as Jake wiped his paws on a rag, then followed his partner up to the garage.

"I’m gonna take a shower." Jake said as he went upstairs.

"Fine but hurry up." Chance said as he took out a couple of cans of milk from the fridge and set them on a table.

Ten minutes later Jake was in the kitchen enjoying lunch with Chance. They’ve exchanged their usual banter about various things as they ate their lunch. Pizza with tuna toppings and milk as usual. This was a bit unusual for Jake since he’d rarely had lunch, he tended to skip lunch and get in a little over time so he can work on the Turbokat.

*************************************************

Everything seemed back to normal. Almost back to normal. Lieutenant Jarrod Furlong was still in the hospital and although he was now awake he was still not allowed to go back to duty, not to mention out of the hospital. Jessie went back to her duty just three days after Jarrod awoke, she just couldn’t stay away from doing her duty. She managed to convince Commander Feral that she was well enough to get back on the active duty list. She and Felina had visited Jarrod everyday in the hospital on their lunch hour.

"Well I guess you’re permanent partners for now." Jarrod said to the two she-kats who were sitting across him on their latest visit. "Or just until I get out of here." He remarked.

"Which could be another month." Jessie remarked with a grin.

"Oh great. Now you managed to depress me." Jarrod said, the two she-kats laughed.

"Hey could’ve been worse." Felina responded.

"Uh-huh, Dark Kat’s definitely on my bad guys list now." Jarrod replied.

"And she’s on his hit list, I bet." Felina remarked pointing at Jessie. "After what she managed to pull off."

"Hey I was just doing my duty." Jessie replied with a shrug. "Besides I was on his hit list before I went after him."

"There you go, with that ‘I was just doing my duty’ bit." Felina replied with a sigh.

"I…ah forget it, we’ve been through this before." Jessie replied with sigh.

"So what are you doing after your lunch hour?" Jarrod cut in.

"Patrol duty." Jessie explained with a strange look on her face.

"Ooh…hope you girls don’t run into Viper." Jarrod responded.

"Yeah me too." Jessie replied.

"I think Viper adores you, though." Jarrod said. Felina burst out laughing.

"What makes you think that?" Jessie shot a stare in Felina’s direction.

"Well he kept grabbing you by his tail, that looks like a sign of love to me." Jarrod said breaking up into laugher himself.

"Oh my…we’d better not let Ann Gora hear this." Felina responded still laughing.

"Ha ha ha, not funny guys. How can a mad scientist fall in love with someone? His mind’s too clogged up by evil plots." Jessie responded.

"I guess you opened it up for him." Felina responded still laughing.

"Oh great, now you’ve done it, ace." Jessie said rolling her eyes.

"Done what? Viper’s the one who’s in love with you." Jarrod said with a shrug.

"Just wait till you get out of the hospital." Jessie shot back.

"I will in the next few years." Jarrod replied.

"Not years, you got months confused with years, Furlong."

"And you got months confused with weeks, Clawson, cause that’s how much I’m staying here maximum."

"Not if I break your ribs, *again."

"Threatening an Enforcer is a federal offense, Lieutenant Clawson." Jarrod retorted.

"I’m not threatening, just warning."

"S-sure you are. Wait till Uncle hears this." Felina replied, grinning

"Oh no, not that, he’ll have me thrown off the force for sure."

"On what charge?"

"Mingling with the enemy."

"Oh so you’ve dated him already?" Felina asked.

"Me and my big mouth." Jessie mumbled rolling her eyes. "No, and I would *never* date Dr. Viper."

"Hey who knows, you haven’t had a date in what? Oh say all your life?" Felina replied.

"Times like these one finds out who her real friend are. Keep it up and you’ll save me the trouble of writing two more Christmas cards."

"Right through the heart." Jarrod said imitating a stake with his paws then he winced, his ribs were still bugging him.

"That’ll teach you." Jessie shot back.

"Hey when the shyest she-kat on the force gets a love interest, it’s big news." Felina said.

"It’s not *my* love interest. According to the genius here," Jessie said indicating Jarrod. "I’m Viper’s love interest."

"Hey could’ve been worse, Dark Kat could be in love with you." Jarrod replied with a shrug.

"Argh not him." Jessie responded making a face.

"Hey could be worse Jess, the Pastmaster could be in love with you." Felina said.

"He already *has* a love interest, and I feel rather sorry for Ms. Briggs." Jessie replied.

"And I feel sorry for you, wizzo." Felina said. "But hey at least Hard Drive’s not in love with you."

"I haven’t met him yet. Er…how did we get to this topic?" Jessie suddenly asked. This was leading nowhere she knew.

"Patrol duty." Felina responded. "Speaking of which we got twenty minutes before Uncle kicks us to the file room for being late."

"Right, lets go." Jessie responded, standing up. "You get well soon partner."

"Which one?"

"One who’s lying in the hospital with that goofy grin on his face." Jessie responded. "I haven’t put the second one in there yet."

"Just thinking of your love life with Viper."

"Think about your love life, buddy. I can think about my own love life which I don’t even have." She admitted as she and Felina exited the room.

"Sure that’s what they all say." Felina responded as they left the hospital.

‘Oh man, I’ll never hear the end of this.’ Jessie thought as Felina drove their sedan to Enforcer Headquarters in order to check in before leaving for their patrol.

"Mmmph…" Felina broke up laughing once again.

"What?" Jessie asked.

"You and Viper." Felina responded in between laughs.

"Remind me to stick pins in my Felina doll when we return from our patrol." Jessie said crossing her arms on her chest.

"That’s not going to help you." Felina replied.

"Hey, whatever works." Jessie replied with a shrug. "Come on, quit it Felina." Jessie said as her partner burst out laughing once again.

"Okay, but it is quite impossible for me to do when my best friend and partner gets a love interest."

"Shall we get off this topic now? We’ve got more important things to handle now." Jessie said rolling her eyes.

"Fine, but don’t expect me to forget it." Felina responded with a grin.

"I’m not expecting you to forget about it, Felina, just to stop teasing me about it." Jessie pointed out.

"Sure, wizzo, sure." Felina responded grinning.

Upon their return to Headquarters, both she-kats logged in and then returned to Felina’s sedan to begin their patrol. Road patrols weren’t on the favorite’s list of both Enforcers but since it was not as stressful as other duties, they had to do it. Commander Feral still thought that Jessie wasn’t well enough to return to her full duties. Jessie couldn’t argue with that, she admitted that she still felt light headed sometimes, that and the seven-and-a-half inch long cut on her shoulder was the result and the remainder of being captured by Dark Kat. At least the secret was still safe. Always will be, Jessie would make sure of that.

*************************************************

After finishing their lunch, both decided to get back to work. Chance went to work on some cars, while Jake returned to running a systems check on the Turbokat after taking an extra can of milk out of the fridge. Something was beginning to bug Jake but he didn’t pay attention to it. He wiped some sweat from his brow and continued running the check.

"Aw crud." He mouthed clenching his teeth at the sudden and sharp pain that went through him.

He began feeling lightheaded but continued working anyway. ‘What’s wrong with me anyway?’ he thought.

The perspiration stung his eyes, he didn’t have enough time to wipe it off with a paw. Jake shook his head to clear it, wondering what was happening to him as he continued working.

Jake let out a short gasp as the pain struck again, his screwdriver fell to the floor of the cockpit.

"Darn what the heck is happening to me?" He asked himself as he bent down to pick up the screwdriver.

Jake was about to return to his work when a wave of dizziness engulfed him. Jake let out a groan as he closed his eyes and waited for the dizziness to pass. He opened his eyes seconds later and tried to return to work. But as he moved over to the control panel, a second wave of dizziness engulfed him. This time he had no choice but to close his eyes and give away into darkness.

*************************************************

Hard Drive stoop outside the new High Tech building that stored Megakat City’s defense secrets. It was well guarded by Enforcer guards and it had the most high tech security system in the world. Hard Drive was out of range of both the Enforcer guards and the security system as he opened his suitcase that held his surge coat.

"This time the defense secrets will be mine," Hard Drive laughed. "And Dark Kat will *not* get in the way this time." He muttered as he put his surge coat on and zipped inside the telephone lines, unseen by the Enforcer guards and the security system

*************************************************

"Jake, the news are on in five minutes." Chance called as he came down the hatch. No response followed. "Jake?" Chance called wondering where his partner was.

He went over to the Turbokat calling his partner’s name once again. Looking up to the cockpit he saw Jake sitting in the pilot’s seat with his eyes closed.

"Aw crud. Jake?" He called once again as he scrambled up onto the wing of the Turbokat. Jake was inside, unconscious. "Crud, Jake." Chance cried out as he felt for his partner’s pulse. Carefully easing Jake’s body out of the cockpit Chance carefully carried him up to the garage. Chance laid his partner onto the couch wondering what happened to him.

Chance wiped the sweat from his partner’s head, then getting a bowl of cold water and a piece of cloth he continued wiping Jake’s brow to lower the temperature.

"Come on, Jake. Wake up." Chance pleaded. "Aww crud." He said in frustration. ‘What if someone attacked the city with Jake out? I could never handle it on my own." Chance thought. "Come on buddy, I don’t need you out of commission now." He said as he put the wet cloth on Jake’s forehead.

*************************************************

"Whoa, heavily guarded isn’t it?" Asked Jessie as she and Felina drove near the new high tech building.

Both she-kats looked around and at the building. Jessie got out her binoculars to take a closer look at the massive building. The only other building that was taller than this was the Megakat Towers.

"Yeah. It now stores the defense secrets. After Hard Drive managed to get into the old one, they’ve moved it here. Massive isn’t it?" Felina asked.

"Speaking of Hard Drive…" Jessie said. "Look over there." She said handing over the binoculars. "Looks like his kinda spark."

"It could be just an electricity jolt, but it’s moving too slow for that." Felina said as she stopped the car. "Come on, lets go." She said.

"Roger." Jessie said as the two exited their car and went to the guards at the gate. Both she-kats flashed their ID’s and went inside. "Why didn’t you tell them that Hard Drive’s in here?" Jessie asked.

"Maybe it’s not, why bother causing mayhem?" Felina answered with a shrug.

"All right, we’d better split up." Jessie said. "Going through this building may take a while." She noted.

"Roger that, watch your tail." Felina responded.

"You too."

"Maintain radio contact at least once in ten minutes, understood?" Felina ordered.

"Roger." Jessie said with a short salute and a grin.

The two parted going in different directions. Felina went in what looked like the direction of the offices, while Jessie went the other way.

*************************************************

Jake let out a soft groan, slowly opened his eyes and as the haze cleared looked around. Chance breathed a sigh of relief.

"W-what hit me?" Jake asked weakly.

"That’s what I’d like to know, buddy. Are you okay?" Chance asked as he handed his partner a glass of water.

"I-I think so." Jake mumbled attempting to sit up, but a new wave of dizziness had engulfed him once again and he dropped down onto the couch.

"Take it easy, buddy." Chance said. "What happened?" He asked.

"I-I’m not sure." Jake said trying to recall what happened. He shook his head to clear it. Jake attempted to sit up once again. This time he succeeded.

"Jake get a rest, I’ll finish up here. Try to sleep." Chance said.

"I…uh…I’ll try." Jake mumbled.

"Try, partner, unless you want your sister to hear about this."

"Hey that’s blackmail, I don’t want to worry her." Jake replied.

"Try to rest anyway." Chance said with a grin.

"Okay." Jake replied lying down on the couch again. With a heavy sigh he wondered what happened to him as Chance returned to work.

*************************************************

"This is too easy." Hard Drive mumbled as he came out of the power lines and materialized near the main computer. He knew the cameras were watching the room, with a short zap the cameras were off line. "This time the defense secrets will be mine, and Dark Kat won’t get them. Anyone who wants them will have to pay a hefty price." He said with a laugh. With a spark of energy he began sucking in the vital information from the main computer.

*************************************************

With her gun leveled, Felina moved through the building. She was alert at anything, especially anything that may let out an electricity burst. Who knew it may have been Hard Drive they saw down there.

Aside some scientists, the building was empty. All the guards were busy guarding the entrance and the vital machinery that was all over the building.

"I bet Hard Drive could do a lot of damage here." She mumbled to herself. The building seemed impenetrable, the doors were solid steel, and the rooms were soundproof. The only way to enter through the door was to use a key card or to enter a password. "High security, but Hard Drive can break it easily." Felina said to herself as she moved past a giant door containing some kind of machinery.

*************************************************

Jessie moved in the direction indicated by one of the arrows in the corridor. The way to the main computer room. She bet her job that Hard Drive would be there.

"Bingo." She mumbled as a short spark attracted her attention from the main computer room. Reaching for her gun she hid near the door to the computer room. Risking a glance inside the room she saw Hard Drive laughing at something as he continued erasing the vital data from the computers and recording it in his surge coat. "I gotta stop him" She said as she wondered how should she get in. Her glance stopped on the small keyboard that slid out of the wall, above the keyboard was a screen that had the words ‘Please enter password and authorization number’ Jessie grinned. ‘If I can bypass the security system I can enter the room.’

"I don’t have much time." She mumbled as she began typing on the keyboard. The first level of security was easy, all she had to do was enter her name, her job, and her badge number. The next was a bit harder. The password to the computer lab. She tried all the passwords the Enforcers used to lock their computer systems, none worked. In desperation she typed in ‘help’ and hit ‘enter’. She breathed a sigh of relief as the words ‘access granted’ flashed across the screen. ‘tough security’ she thought with a smirk. She was about to make her entrance as her radio squeaked to life. She reached for it.

"Felina, I found Hard Drive. He’s in the main computer room. He’s stealing the defense secrets. I’m going in." She said and clicked off her radio. Then she prepared to enter the room.

*************************************************

"Crud." Felina mouthed as she tried contacting Jessie once again. "Even on easy jobs you manage to find trouble." She mumbled as she made her way towards the computer room.

"Lieutenant Feral calling Commander Feral, come in Uncle." She said into her radio.

"Yes what is it, Felina?" Came his voice.

"Uncle, we’ve found Hard Drive. He’s at the new High tech building…"

"We’re on our way." Came Feral’s voice and the connection was broken.

"Crud, I didn’t even get the chance to tell him Jessie was going in." She mouthed as she ran. ‘Don’t get yourself killed this time, wizzo.’ She thought.

*************************************************

The alarm sounded from the hangar, Jake tensed up as he stood up from the couch and started making his way to their hangar.

"Jake, stay here." Chance said as he ran for the hangar.

"No way." Jake responded weakly but determinedly as he followed his partner down to the hangar.

"Yes Ms. Briggs." Chance snapped into the intercom as he activated it, Jake was already changing into his g-suit.

"SWAT Kats, Hard Drive has infiltrated the new High Tech building. He’s stealing the defense secrets." Callie’s voice came over the intercom.

"Hold on Ms. Briggs. We’re there." Chance said turning the intercom off. "Guess nothing’s too high tech for Hard Drive." He said changing into his g-suit and leaping into the Turbokat. Razor was already there activating his radar and weapon systems.

"Razor maybe you should stay here." T-Bone said. "I can handle Hard Drive."

"No. I’ll be okay." Razor responded, determined. "Lets kick some Hard Drive tail!" He said.

T-Bone shrugged and gunned the engines and took off in the direction of the new High Tech building.

*************************************************

"Just a few more minutes." Hard Drive said with a laugh. "They don’t even know I’m here." He said, laughing.

"They don’t, but I do." Came a voice from the doorway as the door opened then closed leaving Hard Drive inside with the Enforcer.

"What the…" Hard Drive started, his grin faded as he turned to stare at the Enforcer who was pointing her gun at him.

"Hard Drive, you’re under arrest." Jessie snapped moving towards him.

"Not so fast." Hard Drive said. "You’re too late, all the defense secrets are mine now." He said with a laugh. "If you want them you have to pay for them"

"I said you’re under arrest." Jessie snapped.

Hard Drive just laughed then rubbing his hands together he motioned in Jessie’s direction. Jessie ducked as a zap came over her head. Hard Drive let out another zap, bigger than the first one, this one caught the Enforcer sending a jolt of energy through her. Jessie felt her senses loosening as she saw Hard Drive laugh and send another jolt in her direction, she couldn’t respond, couldn’t even move. As the new jolt hit her, she dropped to the ground senseless.

"Not this time." Hard Drive said with a laugh as he picked up her gun and pocketed it, then he tied her up. "I need to get out of here." He said as he looked out of the window. "Ah hah, this is my ticket out of here, and she will be my insurance out of here." Hard Drive said noticing an Enforcer sedan outside. He picked up the unconscious Enforcer and made his way out of the main computer room.

*************************************************

"There he is." Felina heard shouts coming not far off. "Don’t shoot he’s got someone."

"Uh-oh." Felina mouthed making her way in the direction of the commotion. "He’s got Jess."

"Don’t anyone shoot, or she gets it." Hard Drive’s voice came, loud, and mocking.

"Why that…" Felina mouthed angrily making her way to the scene. "Hard Drive, let her go." She snapped.

"Not today, Lieutenant Feral." Hard Drive said. "She’s my ticket out of here without getting caught."

"Hard Drive…" Felina began, Hard Drive sent a burst of energy towards her and she crumpled to the floor unconscious. "Now the rest of you, step aside." He ordered, the guards let him through without trying anything. With Jessie’s form hung over his shoulder Hard Drive moved outside in the direction of the parked sedan. He opened the door and throwing the captured Enforcer beside him, Hard Drive sat in the driver’s seat and with a zap started the car and moved away from the building laughing. A screech of jet engines stopped Hard Drive’s fun for a while. He looked up.

"The SWAT Kats? Ah no matter. All I have to do is get to my hideout." He mouthed making his way towards the abandoned tuna factory that he used as his hideout.

*************************************************

"W-what hit me?" Felina asked no one as she came to. She shook her head to clear it. "Aww crud." She cried out as she remembered. Picking herself off the floor and shaking her head she made her way outside. She heard the Turbokat land near the building as she exited it. She stopped in her tracks as she noticed her car gone.

"Aw crud." She said, astonished. "What else can go wrong?"

*************************************************

T-Bone and Razor leaped out of the Turbokat and made their way towards the entrance of the building, finding Lieutenant Feral standing there, with an astonished look on her face.

"What is it, Lieutenant?" Asked T-Bone.

"He took my car. That creep swiped my car, and Lieutenant Clawson." Felina said. "He’s gonna get it now." She mouthed as she ran past the SWAT Kats in the direction of Enforcer Headquarters.

"Uh-oh." Razor mouthed.

"Come on, we can follow him. Razor." T-Bone said making the way back to the Turbokat. Razor followed him without a word.

Inside the Turbokat Razor activated the radar and traced his sister’s signal.

"He’s heading for the old tuna factory." He reported.

"How can you be so sure?" Asked T-Bone as the Turbokat lifted into the sky.

"I’m pretty sure it’s where he’s heading." Razor said. "Trust me."

"If you say so, sureshot." T-Bone said. "Are you sure you’re okay?" He asked.

"Fine…We gotta find Hard Drive, he’s got Jess." Razor responded, worry in his voice.

"Don’t worry buddy, we’ll get her out." T-Bone reassured his partner.

Razor turned back to his radar ignoring the stabs of pain he felt throughout his body.

*************************************************

Jessie awoke with a groan. Every single nerve in her body hurt. What the heck Hard Drive hit her with? As her vision cleared she looked around. She was in the car, their Enforcer sedan. She tried to move her arms but no luck, they were tied tightly behind her back.

"Welcome, Lieutenant." Hard Drive’s voice came.

"Hard Drive." Jessie mouthed turning to face him. She narrowed her eyes. "Let me go."

"Not just yet." Hard Drive said. "Now sit here and be quiet."

"What do you want?" She asked.

"Quiet, I need to concentrate." Hard Drive snapped throwing her a look. Jessie trembled wondering what he would do to her.

‘Where the heck is he taking me?’ She asked herself. ‘Crud.’ she thought closing her eyes. She tried to ignore the pain from the jolt, but it was impossible to do. She heard a rumble of engines not far off.

"The SWAT Kats will stop you, Hard Drive." She said her face lightening up.

"Not today, they’d have to catch me first. Correction, they’d have to pass by you first, and then catch me." He said with a laugh.

‘What the heck is he planning to do?’ She asked herself. "What do you want?" She asked Hard Drive.

"Quiet, Enforcer." Hard Drive snapped as he pulled up near the tuna factory and got out.

He dragged Jessie out of the car surprised why she didn’t struggle against him. Hard Drive had no time or worry to figure out why. He brought the Enforcer in and put her in a chair, then he walked over to a computer and connecting his surge coat to it began recording the vital defense secrets from it to the computer. He felt the Enforcer’s eyes drilling in his back. He ignored her.

*************************************************

T-Bone landed the Turbokat near the tuna factory and leaped out. Razor followed him shortly after. T-Bone looked at his partner.

"Razor, are you sure you’re up to it?" He asked.

"T-Bone, my sister’s in there." Razor responded defiantly.

T-Bone didn’t say anything, instead moved towards the main door where the Enforcer sedan was parked. Both knew that Hard Drive was in the building by now, but still they had to act with caution.

*************************************************

"Why don’t you let me go Hard Drive?" Jessie asked.

Hard Drive laughed. "Because, when the SWAT Kats get here, I’ll have something to…discourage them by." He said with a smile, a small energy jolt fired up on his fingers.

"What makes you think I’m going to cooperate?" She asked.

"You got no choice." He replied curtly. "It’s either cooperate or die now."

"What’s the difference?" She shot back.

"The difference is that you die sooner if you won’t cooperate." He shot back.

"Threatening an Enforcer is a federal offense." Jessie shot back.

Hard Drive laughed, then got near her. "What about hitting an Enforcer?" He asked backhanding her. She kept quiet.

‘What’s this? The latest trend?’ She asked herself. ‘Don’t agitate him anymore.’ She told herself.

"Not so tough now, are you?" He asked with a laugh. Jessie let out a short growl and looked up at Hard Drive. He laughed once again. "Tough, I like that in a she-kat." He declared, laughing. His laughter was interrupted by a blast from outside, then the main door had broken into pieces. Jessie grinned as Hard Drive’s laughter turned into shock.

"Hard Drive. Let her go." Came T-Bone’s voice as the smoke cleared.

"It’s not so easy, SWAT Kats." Hard Drive responded. "Don’t try anything funny, or she gets it." He said leveling a gun on Jessie.

"SWAT Kats. Don’t listen to him." Jessie shouted.

"Silence." Hard Drive growled at her.

"Let her go, you can keep the defense secrets." Razor said.

‘Uh-oh, something’s wrong with Razor.’ Jessie thought looking at her brother. "No, don’t." She said.

"Now put all your weapons to the ground, or she gets it." Hard Drive ordered.

"As you wish." Razor responded, he and T-Bone dropped to the ground and launched a mini spider missile that tied Hard Drive’s legs.

"What the…" Hard Drive yelled in surprise as he fell to the floor near Jessie. She kicked the gun out of his hand with all the force she could muster. Hard Drive growled then send an energy zap in the SWAT Kats’ direction. T-Bone managed to get out of the way, Razor however was less lucky. His reaction was slower than his partner’s. He felt the jolt through his body, but managed to hang onto his consciousness.

"Razor, no." Jessie shouted as she watched her brother being hit by the jolt.

"Why you…" T-Bone mouthed angrily as he launched himself at Hard Drive. "No one messes with my partner and gets away with it." He mouthed through clenched teeth as he picked Hard Drive off the floor and held him by his neck. He shook off Hard Drive’s surge coat, the techno pirate was harmless now.

"T-Bone, don’t." Razor said, unable to keep the weakness from his voice.

T-Bone didn’t listen. "You try to hurt my partner. You won’t get away with this." He told Hard Drive.

"Hey hey I didn’t mean to." Hard Drive said quickly.

"T-Bone. Let him go." Jessie said as Razor came over to her and began untying her.

"T-Bone, Feral would stick us with more than a bill if you kill him." Razor said.

"Let him try." T-Bone mouthed.

"Razor, are you okay?" Jessie asked.

"I’ll…I’ll be fine." Razor said. He shook his head, the jolt he’s been hit with and what’s been happening to him today was threatening to take him into the unconscious. He tried hard not to pass out as he used the last of his strength to untie his sister’s ropes. Jessie slid her paws out of the ropes before the rope was off and managed to grab Razor as he gave in and blacked out.

"T-Bone." Jessie said, urgency in her voice. "Razor passed out."

T-Bone released Hard Drive from his steel grip and turned to Jessie. Hard Drive took this chance to get out of the tuna factory.

"Come on, lets take him to the Turbokat." He said.

"What’s wrong with him?" Jessie asked.

"I don’t know, it happened once, today back in the hangar." T-Bone explained as they took Razor to the jet and gently placed him onto the bomb bay doors. "Hard Drive escaped." T-Bone said.

"Who cares about him." Jessie snapped. "I’m going with you." She said getting into the Turbokat.

"But what about…" T-Bone began.

"Nevermind that T-Bone, I’ll handle it later. Come on. Razor’s life is more important to me than my job." She said.

"If you say so." T-Bone responded with as he gunned the engines and took off in the direction of the hangar.

"Come on Razor." Jessie said softly to her brother as she gently stroked his head. "Wake up." She begged him. "If I loose you, I’ll lose everything." She said, a sob escaped her throat as she looked at her brother’s unconscious form.

"Jess, he’ll be fine." Came T-Bone’s soft voice from the cockpit.

"I hope you’re right, T-Bone." Jessie responded in a shaky voice.

T-Bone increased the speed and straightened the course for the hangar, wondering what was happening to his partner. Even Jessie didn’t know.

*************************************************

Felina guided her chopper through the city, looking for her sedan. When she returned to Headquarters, her Uncle was already gone. She didn’t bother contacting him, right now finding her car and her partner was more important. She found her car in an alley near the tuna factory. After landing she jumped out and drawing her gun went inside the factory, finding it deserted.

"Aww crud, either I’m too late or he dumped the car here." She said to no one. "Looks like I’m too late." She said with a sigh as she found Hard Drive’s surge coat. Picking it up she took it with her and boarding her chopper she went back to Enforcer Headquarters.

"Uncle, come in." She said into the chopper’s radio.

"Yes Felina. Did you two send us on a wild goose chase?" He asked, annoyance showing in his voice.

"No, Hard Drive was in the building, *and* he was in the tuna factory." She said.

"Was?"

"Well apparently he escaped, but without the defense secrets."

"I see, where’s Lieutenant Clawson?" He asked.

"I don’t know." Felina admitted. Where was her friend?

"Find her." Feral ordered cutting the connection.

"Easy for him to say." She said to no one. "Come on Jess where are you?" She asked as she tried contacting her friend by radio again, no luck. Either Jessie was still in trouble or she just turned off her radio. Felina decided to go back to Headquarters, since there was no sign of Hard Drive or Jessie. The ropes in the factory showed Felina that her friend was safe. With a sigh, Felina Feral guided her chopper to Enforcer Headquarters, wondering how she will explain it to her Uncle.

*************************************************

T-Bone carefully laid Razor on a small sofa in the hangar. While he changed Jessie stayed with her brother, begging he would be okay. Jessie gently eased off Razor’s mask and helmet.

"Come on, Jake." She begged, tears welling up in her eyes. "What is happening to you?" She felt Chance’s paw on her shoulder.

"He’ll be okay." Chance said softly.

"What if he won’t be?" She asked, unable to keep her voice straight. "You said yourself it happened once today. Hard Drive’s zap didn’t make it better." She said.

"Jessie. He’ll be okay." Chance repeated, wondering if it was true. Jessie looked at Chance unsure whether to believe him or not.

Jake groaned and slowly he opened his eyes.

"W-where am I?" He asked shaking his head.

"Back in the hangar."

"Are you okay?" Jessie asked wiping the tears away with a paw.

"I-I think so. What hit me?" Jake asked.

"Chance told me it happened before." Jessie began, Jake shot his partner a glance.

"Hey you didn’t rest like I told you to." Chance shot back.

"What happened?" Jessie asked.

"I think I had a vasovagal attack." Jake said.

"Uh-oh…Jake it’s all my fault."

"No it isn’t."

"Uh could you two elaborate on that?" Chance asked. "What is this vasovagal attack?"

"It’s an intense activity in the tenth cranial nerve, which supplies various organs and has motor sensory and secretory functions." Jake said.

"Causes a slowing of the heartbeat and a fall in blood pressure, resulting in fainting. It could’ve been because of either emotional shock or sudden intense pain." Jessie said. "Jake when are you going to stop worrying about me?" She asked.

"Jess you know me. I’ll never stop worrying about you. Would you stop worrying about me?" He asked.

"Never." She said shaking her head.

"There, and it wasn’t because of you." He stated

"Then because of what?" She asked

"It began a few minutes after I had lunch. I think it is food poisoning." Jake said as he sat up on the couch.

"How come I didn’t get it? And usually people don’t pass out because of food poisoning." Chance said.

"I had an extra can of milk, buddy. Could’ve been that can." Jake said.

"That makes sense." Chance said. "But still…I’m not sure…" He began

"Don’t. Chance I’ll be fine honestly."

"Well if you say so. But Jake, you gotta be careful. And you could’ve stayed here while I handled Hard Drive."

"Almost forgot." Jessie said. "Thanks for saving me sureshot." Jessie declared with a grin. "You too, Chance."

"Hey no problem. How did you manage to get caught anyway?"

"I tried to bring him in and he zapped me." She explained.

"You’re carrying this duty bit too far, Jess." Jake said.

"You should talk, bro." She shot back.

"Heh, yeah she’s right. I did tell you to stay here, but you didn’t listen." Chance said with a grin. "Both of you are carrying this duty bit too far." He stated.

"Care to repeat that buddy?" Jake asked with a grin as he and Jessie extended their claws.

"Sure why not?" Chance shot back extending his own claws and grinning at the twins.

"Claw fight!!!!!" Jake yelled as he and his sister charged at Chance.

"You’re feeling better now, partner?" Chance asked as he sidestepped Jake but got in Jessie’s way. "I always get the girls, Jake." He said with a laugh as he regained his balance and stopped Jessie from falling.

"T-thanks, Chance." Jessie mumbled turning red from embarrassment.

"I feel well enough to kick your tail, Furlong." Jake said.

"Oh sure, when it comes to doing housework, he’s sick, but when it comes to tail kicking, just try and stop him." Chance said.

"Fixing cars isn’t exactly housework, buddy." Jake reminded him.

"Looks like housework since we do it daily."

"Hey you guys save the city everyday, does it mean SWAT Kats is housework?"

"No, that’s just a hobby." Chance said.

"Yeah more of a city cleaning. From bad guys." Jake said.

"Heh got that right." Jessie responded flashing a grin.

"And besides we both enjoy it, right buddy?" Jake said.

"Roger that." Chance responded.

"Well I’d better get back to Headquarters before Commander Feral puts me on the AWOL list." Jessie said.

"Or the MIA list." Jake said.

"Missing in action? Jake, what action?" Jessie asked.

"Hard Drive, don’t tell me that’s not action."

"Compared to Dark Kat, no." She said.

"If you put it that way." Chance said as the three climbed back up to the garage. "Come on I’ll drive you to Headquarters." Chance said.

"If it wouldn’t bother you, but you’d better drop me off at the tuna factory, I want to get Felina’s car." Jessie said. "Or she’ll kill me."

"Okay, no problem."

"Now you stop worrying about me Jake. Take it easy." Jessie said with a grin.

"I’ll try, Jess, I’ll try. You take care of her, Chance. Don’t take any of your shortcuts." Jake said as his partner and sister got into the tow truck.

"Don’t worry bud, I’ll take care of her."

"Hey what am I?…" Jessie began.

"His sister, Jess." Chance reminded as he put the tow truck in gear.

"I’m aware of that." Jessie responded. "See you later, Jake."

"Take care." Jake said with a wave.

"Check six." She shot back at him.

"Don’t worry, I’m always careful." Jake responded as the tow truck drove out of the Salvage Yard leaving Jake alone. Jake went back inside, still feeling a bit queasy but better than before. He just hoped he wouldn’t pass out once again as he went back to the hangar to finally get that systems check over with.

*************************************************

"Chance can you please watch over Jake for a few days." Jessie asked as the tow truck headed for the tuna factory.

"Hey I’m watching over him every day Jess." Chance said.

"Thanks" She said with a smirk.

"What?" He asked.

"I thought Jake was there to watch over you."

"Ha ha." Chance said. "Maybe my cousin had better watch over you, since there’s a certain lizard on the lose that has a crush on you." He shot back at her

"Oh no. That’s it, Jarrod’s dead meat." She said. "When did he tell you?"

"Today in the morning. Funny really, Viper never fell for anyone before." Chance said laughing.

"True, and he still didn’t. I’m not one of his kind anyway." Jessie said.

"He can always make you one of his kind."

"Ugh Chance." Jessie said making a face. "Just keep your eyes on the road. I had enough of this ‘Viper-has-a-crush-on-you’ thing. First it’s both of my partners and now it’s you, what next? Commander Feral?"

"That would be a good one." Chance said. "Now, Lieutenant, what did I tell you about that lizard, I don’t mind when any of my Enforcers gets a love interest, but when it’s the enemy, that’s a different story." Chance said mimicking Feral’s voice.

"Mmmmpphh…" Jessie was unable to keep the amusement from her voice. "That would be something, so you’d better keep that to yourself. Feral doesn’t need to know this." She said.

"Or Ann Gora." Chance noted. "This is Ann Gora, Kats Eye News. We’ve just been informed by a source that the heroic Lieutenant Clawson has a love interest, none other than Doctor Viper." He said mimicking Ann’s voice, unable to continue he cracked up.

"The source had better not be you, Chance." Jessie said, laughing. Despite the weirdness of the fact, she tried to ignore the possibility of Viper having a crush on her. He was an evil scientist, a mutant, she was an Enforcer, and a normal kat. No way he could have a crush on her.

"Don’t worry your secret is safe with me." He said with a grin.

"Chance."

"What? It is a secret." He pointed out

"Whatever." She shrugged. "I just hope Felina won’t kill me." She said.

"Why should she do that?"

"I switched the radio off on her." She said. "Right before I went in to get Hard Drive."

"Oh. Don’t worry she won’t."

"I’m not worried. I just hope she won’t."

"What will you tell Feral?" Chance asked as he stopped the tow truck near the Enforcer sedan.

"I’ll burn that bridge when I come to it." Jessie said getting out. "Thanks Chance." She said. "Thanks for everything."

"Hey no problem. Take care." He said with a wave and drove off.

Jessie went back inside the tuna factory and getting a couple of diskettes she copied the vital information onto them and stuffed them into her pockets. Then she went back outside.

Jessie sighed as she got into the driver’s seat of the Enforcer sedan and put it in gear. She wasn’t used to driving cars that much, but it was much simpler that controlling a missile she had to admit that. Guiding the car towards the Enforcer Headquarters, Jessie wondered what should she tell Commander Feral and her partner.

*************************************************

"She couldn’t just disappear into thin air." Feral said to his niece who sat across from him. "I thought I told you to keep an eye on her for a few days."

"Uncle, we had to split up in order to look for Hard Drive."

"Where did she go then?"

"I don’t know, I can’t contact her by radio, but I’m sure she’s safe."

"If she is, why didn’t she contact you?" Feral shot back. "I told you not to let your eyes off her."

"Maybe she forgot." Felina said. "Or she’s still chasing Hard Drive."

"Felina, you said so yourself, you think she’s safe."

"But Uncle…" Felina began, a knock interrupted her.

"Come in." Feral grumbled.

"Uh...Lieutenant Clawson reporting, sir." Jessie said coming inside.

"Well, well the prodigal Enforcer returns." Feral grumbled. "Would you care to explain where were you, Lieutenant. I gave you strict orders to stay with Felina all the time."

"Uh sir…we had to split up in order to look for Hard Drive." Jessie said. "I…uh found him and warned Felina, then I went in."

"You could’ve waited for, Felina." Feral said.

"Sorry sir. I uh…I had to get him before he escaped."

"Which he did in any case." Feral pointed out.

"But his surge coat is here, with the defense secrets." Felina said.

"True, it’s already back in the high tech building. The information is being processed back into the main computer." Feral said.

"Sir, one thing. Hard Drive copied the files onto his computer back at the tuna factory." Jessie remembered.

"Are you sure?" Feral snapped reaching for the intercom.

"Affirmative, but I got them right here." She said taking out a couple of diskettes and putting them on Feral’s desk.

"Where did you get those?" Feral asked.

"I uh transferred the files from Hard Drive’s computer to the diskettes. All the info on the computer is gone." Feral nodded picking up the diskettes.

"Now then…" He started looking directly at Jessie. "Care to tell me what happened?" He asked, it was more of an order rather than a request.

"Yes sir." Jessie proceeded with her story. A while later as she finished, Commander Feral let out a heavy sigh.

"Why you didn’t answer the radio call, Lieutenant."

"Uh…I guess I forgot to turn the radio back on, sir." Jessie responded with uneasiness in her voice.

"Forgot huh? That’s a first." Feral noted.

"There’s always the first time, sir."

"Yes there is." He agreed. "I just didn’t expect it from you."

"Uh yes sir." Jessie mumbled.

"How did you manage to bypass the security to the main control room?" Felina asked changing the subject.

"Well the first stage was easy. I just had to enter my ID. As for the second part…" She stopped, a look of amusement on her face.

"Go on." Feral said.

"Well lets just say that ‘help’ doesn’t sound like a fool resistant password for the main computer room that holds the city’s defense secrets." She said with a laugh. A look of amusement crossed Feral’s face as he threw a look at his niece and the two started laughing joining Jessie.