Gamma Girls: Kitten's Revenge

[superpics4les]

Finally! The anticipated sequel to SHADOW vs CLAW: The Battle Begins. Enjoy! 8)

*****

Gamma Girls: Kitten’s Revenge - Episode I: Discoveries

Foxxe had the scent of her prey and smiled while moving silently through the shadows. Her prey was sweating from the chase and was weakened from the strikes of Foxxe’s claws. The wounds bled profusely, causing her prey to gasp for enough oxygen to keep going. Foxxe stepped from the shadows and grinned as her prey’s eyes went wide at the sight of her. Her prey screamed and bolted, stumbling to do so. Foxxe laughed and gave chase again, easily closing the distance with her lightning speed. Her prey stumbled and fell, unable to move before Foxxe pounced upon her. Foxxe gleefully raked her razor sharp claws down the back of her prey. She screamed in pain and terror. She knew this was the end.

Foxxe turned her over to look into her eyes before the kill. Foxxe smiled widely showing her sharp teeth, her eyes glowing red and said, “You’ve led me quite a chase my little friend! It was fun, but now it’s time to feed!” “Please NO!” she begged, “You can’t do this Amie! We’re friends…best friends! Please don’t kill me!” “Best friends?” replied Foxxe, “Yes, we are, but I must feed, my lovely, and I know how good you’ll taste, Gray! Goodbye…my friend! RRRAAWRRRR!” Major Grayson Ravenwing screamed only once as Colonel Amethyste Foxxe closed her powerful fanged jaws around her throat. Foxxe shook her violently increasing the pressure on her trachea until she ceased her struggling. She then released her prey and began to feed on her blood and flesh, tearing her to shreds.

*****

Foxxe awoke with a blood curdling scream. She was in her quarters at SHADOW HQ, in her own bed. Her night shirt was clinging to her curvaceous, athletic body as she had been sweating profusely during her nightmare. Trembling, she grabbed for the phone and called Major Ravenwing. “Hello…” Ravenwing answered. “Gray, thank God! Are you OK??” asked Foxxe. “Y…Yeah, I’m fine.” she answered bleary eyed, looking to see what time it was, “Amie, it’s 3 in the morning! What’s wrong?” “Nothing, Gray. I just had a bad dream.” Foxxe said, “Sorry, I woke you.” “Uh uh, Amie. I’m not buying it this time.” said Ravenwing, “This is the third time this month you’ve done this. I’m coming over!” “No, Gray don’t…” Foxxe protested, but she hung up before Foxxe could stop her.

When Ravenwing arrived at her quarters, Foxxe made some hot chocolate and the two friends talked about her dreams for the first time. Foxxe explained that they started almost to the day that Korva and CLAW were destroyed. She haltingly told Grayson the nightmare and the horror that gripped her soul every time it happened. By the time she finished, she was in tears with Grayson holding her trying to console her. “Gray, are you wearing perfume?” asked Foxxe. “No, why do you ask?” replied Gray. “You suddenly smell so good!” said Foxxe. Foxxe’s eyes began to glow red. “Amie, what’s happening to your eyes?” asked Gray, “They’re glowing!” “WHAT??” she exclaimed, running into the bathroom.

As Foxxe looked in the mirror, she saw what Grayson had seen and was completely taken aback. Her eyes had never done this before…except in her dreams! She examined her teeth as well and was surprised to find that they had sharpened. Her canines had also grown into needle sharp fangs! Her hands had the sharp shiny black claws she had used against The Crimson Panther and the Cat Demon. There was also something more terrifying; something that gnawed deep down within her that had never manifested before; something only present in her fevered nightmares; a craving for fresh, warm blood! Foxxe ran to the console in the center of the room and activated the intruder alert. Klaxons blared as Foxxe screamed, “GRAY, GET OUT OF HERE NOW!”

“Why?? What is it Amie? What’s going on?” shouted Ravenwing. Then Foxxe showed her face to Major Ravenwing; Her red glowing eyes and her razored fangs and claws. Grayson screamed and recoiled, tripping over the coffee table, falling to the floor. Foxxe bared her fangs, snarled and pounced on her quickly, holding her arms down at the wrists, straddling her shapely struggling body. A low growl issued from her as an evil smile trilled her full pouting lips. “You should have run, Gray.” Foxxe said in a low sultry voice, “When will you learn to just obey orders? Now, you’re mine!” Foxxe laughed devilishly and opened her mouth wide and snarled, preparing to close her jaws on Grayson’s fully exposed throat. Grayson shrieked, “AMIE, NOOOOO!!!” The high pitched sound of her name being shouted by her best friend snapped Foxxe out of her animalistic behavior and she quickly leapt off Grayson.

When the security personnel arrived seconds later, Colonel Foxxe was curled up on the floor in the fetal position, sobbing and repeating over and over, “I’m not a monster…I’m not a monster!” Under the orders of Major Ravenwing and Colonel Foxxe herself, the security officers placed Foxxe in restraints and transported her to the Medical Section. Dr. de Winter quickly sedated Foxxe and ran every conceivable test to find out what caused the aberration in her physical body and her behavior. Doc de Winter walked into the room where Colonel Foxxe had been placed, to find Major Ravenwing holding Foxxe’s hand. Foxxe was sitting up with the head of the bed at a 45 degree angle, the super powered energy restraints glowing at her wrists and ankles.

Doc de Winter cleared her throat and both of the lovely superheroines looked at her, hopefully. She wasn’t smiling. “Your face doesn’t look like you have good news, Doc!” said Foxxe with a frown, “Give it to me straight, Greta. What’s wrong with me?” “Amie, I’m scared.” said de Winter, “I’ve checked and double checked my findings and…well I’m scared for you, Foxxe!” “My God, Greta! I’ve never heard you say that before!” said Ravenwing, “What is it you’ve found?”

Dr. de Winter explained that the changes that Colonel Foxxe was experiencing were the result of a genetically engineered compound that was rapidly moving through her system and had been doing so for approximately three weeks. The biochemical was augmenting and increasing her feral abilities. Her strength, speed and senses had all been increased by a factor of ten. Unfortunately, the compound was also in her DNA, attempting to reprogram her higher brain functions, stimulating the limbic system and causing her to think less like a human and more like an animal…more like a fox.

Dr. de Winter also told the two SHADOW operatives where the compound came from. The doctor called up on a large screen in the wall opposite the bed, a scan that showed Col. Foxxe’s cloaking implant. A small opening that didn’t show up on any previous scans was now present. “KORVA!” exclaimed Foxxe, “He put this in me to try to turn me into one of his beast women!” Ravenwing looked at Foxxe with a horrified expression. Foxxe took her hand with a brave smile. Ravenwing began to ask, “Doc, will I…” “I’m way ahead of you, Major!” said de Winter, “The implants in you and Captain Chen are both clean. “ “That’s a relief!” said Foxxe, “Do you have any idea how long I have before this thing becomes…permanent?” “If its progress is consistent, the compound should finish its work in about 7 more days.’” replied de Winter, “Amie, under the circumstances, I think you should stay here so I can do more tests to see how or if this thing can be reversed.”

“Greta, what triggered the release of this compound in my system? Can you tell?” asked Foxxe. “No Amie, I can’t.” she answered, “But knowing Korva’s twisted mind from our encounters with him, I suspect it probably happened when his heart stopped. His revenge in case anything ever befell him!” “I agree Doc!” said Foxxe, “Which is the reason why I can’t be cooped up in here! I’ve got to find that murdering alley-cat, Kitten before I end up like her! I’ve got to…!” “You’ve got to follow orders, Colonel!” said Greta sternly, “I am hereby exercising my authority as Chief Medical Officer of this base and you, young lady are not going to leave this room or go anywhere else unless I order it or until I release you from this facility! Are we clear??” Greta glowered at Foxxe, the 6’2” Nordic goddess’ ice-blue eyes glowing. Foxxe held her head and eyes downward and said sheepishly, “Yes, ma’am.” “Good! Now I need to make my report to the General and he’ll probably be in to see you as soon as he returns.” said Dr. de Winter, “Stay put!!” “OK, Greta, OK!!” replied Foxxe insistently, “You win…this round!” The doctor left with a grin on her face.

Major Ravenwing was snickering during the whole exchange concerning who was in charge in the Medical section. “And what are you laughing at black-birdie?” asked Foxxe. “My code name is DarkWing, thank you very much and I’m laughing at you, all trussed up in that bed under orders not to move!” said Ravenwing with a chuckle, “Now I’ve got you where I want you! Now you’ll pay for attacking me!” “Oh Gray, you wouldn’t!” Foxxe said swallowing hard, “Would you?” “Don’t ‘Oh Gray’ me my friend!” replied Grayson with a wide grin, “You tried to EAT ME!” “Well, I wasn’t myself! I was under the influence of a mind-altering drug!” explained Foxxe, “Besides, I said I was sorry! Come on Gray, don’t do this please?” “Nothing doin’, my little chocolate cupcake, now you’re gonna get it!” said DarkWing laughing diabolically.

DarkWing, grinning like the Cheshire Cat, moved toward the foot of the bed. Foxxe looked around frantically, searching for the signal device to summon help before it was too late. “Looking for this?” asked Grayson, holding the disconnected signal button in her hand, swinging it back and forth by the cord. Foxxe’s eyes narrowed at DarkWing as she said, “Grrowr! I knew I should have eaten you when I had the chance!” DarkWing grinned widely and flipped up the sheets at the foot of the bed revealing Foxxe’s pretty bound peds. “Shall we begin?” she said. Foxxe closed her eyes waiting for the inevitable tickle torture to start. It never came. Instead, she heard Grayson yell, “OWWW! Hey, cut that out!!”

Foxxe opened her eyes to see Dr. de Winter holding DarkWing’s ear, pulling her by it and also adding a bit of freezing temperature to it. Foxxe laughed out loud and said, “Nice save, Doc!” “Not a bit of it!” she said with a grin, “I’ve known you two for five years, I knew she couldn’t pass this up! Major, you will reattach that signal control back to its terminal and give it to Gamma Prime, right this instant!” “Owww! OK, OK, Doc, geez!” said DarkWing rubbing her sore ear lobe. As DarkWing reattached the signal control, she whispered, “Doc’s not gonna be here to save you next time. Then I’ll get you, my little brown fox!” “I’ll be waiting, my sweet black bird, I’ll be waiting!” replied Foxxe, but in a much more sinister tone, like the one she spoke with before attempting to lock her jaws on DarkWing’s throat.

Grayson stood up quickly and looked into Foxxe’s eyes. They were glowing again. She had the same look on her face as when she tried to devour DarkWing. Grayson was frightened and was also surprised that she couldn’t move! Foxxe had somehow paralyzed her! DarkWing felt drowsy as well, her senses dulled by Foxxe’s new sensuous voice. Dr. de Winter had already left the room so there was no one left to interfere with what Foxxe had in mind for DarkWing. The only obstacle between Foxxe’s razor sharp teeth and Ravenwing’s throat were the super-powerful energy restraints holding down Foxxe’s arms and legs.

Using a honey-sweet voice, still markedly different from her own, Foxxe said, “Gray precious, I feel so lonely and confused. I need to hug someone. Why don’t you give me some slack in these energy bonds so I can hold you?” Grayson sleepily replied, “Shouldn’t I just turn them off? That way you can move unfettered.” Foxxe smiled baring her fangs a little and said, “No no, dear friend! If you turn them off, the alert will sound, bringing the doctor back and we want to be alone, don’t we?” “Y…Yes, alone!” Grayson stammered. Foxxe could sense her mind-control slipping and instructed DarkWing, “Gray, look at me. Look in my eyes, deep into my glowing…red…eyes!” After a few seconds, the hypnotic spell was reinforced and Ravenwing stepped over to the control console to the left of the bed.

Major Ravenwing adjusted the restraint system to allow Foxxe more freedom of movement; enough for Foxxe to get her clawed hands on DarkWing’s lovely body. “Good! That’s my girl!” said Foxxe happily, “Now, come to me, my friend. Come and embrace me!” With a glazed expression, DarkWing turned toward her best friend and slowly crossed the short distance between them.

Outside the room, near the Medical Section entrance, Dr. de Winter greeted Psychlone aka Captain Mona Lisa Calderone, who had come by to visit her commanding officer and check on her progress. As they spoke of Korva’s device and the genetic compound working its way through Gamma Prime’s system, Mona suddenly felt a strange powerful presence. “Mona, what is it?” asked de Winter. Psychlone replied, “I sense a strong presence…it’s coming from…OH NO!” Mona took off running toward Foxxe’s room and burst through the door just as Ravenwing reached Foxxe and she was about to sink her fangs into DarkWing’s throat. “Colonel Amethyste Foxxe!” shouted Mona in a commanding tone, her eyes smoldering with powerful energy. The psychic tone reached into Foxxe’s mind and interrupted the hold on Ravenwing. Grayson recoiled and Mona snatched her away from Foxxe’s deadly embrace. Mona used a stream of telekinetic energy to readjust the restraint control and took out the slack, returning the bonds to their tight hold on Colonel Foxxe.

“NO! GRRAWRR!” Foxxe growled in protest, straining against her power bonds, “She’s mine! Give me back my prey! RAWLLL!” Doc de Winter and an orderly ran into the room. Mona waved them back, looked deep into Foxxe’s eyes and asked, “Who are you? What have you done with Colonel Foxxe??” The fox-woman laughed and said, “Soon your beloved Colonel Foxxe will be gone and I will feast on you all, especially you for taking away my chosen prey!” Mona replied, “Not if I have anything to say about it! Colonel, can you hear me? You have to fight her! I know you can do it! Come on, fight!” Foxxe’s voice came from the now snarling lips saying, “Mona? Is that you?” “Yes Colonel, I’m here! I can help you, but you have to fight! Can you do that?” she replied. “Is fat meat greasy? Of course, I can girlfriend!” said Foxxe defiantly.

Mona smiled as twin beams of green energy lanced out from her eyes and burned deep into Colonel Foxxe’s. The fox-woman howled in protest, “NO! Get away from me! Leave me alone! It’s not fair! I belong here as much as she does! You can’t get rid of me!” Foxxe’s voice burst forth and said, “I don’t want to get rid of you, sweetheart! I know we need each other! But you need to work with me! We can be so powerful together! Can we do that?” “GRRAWLL! This is some kind of trick!” said the fox personality, “You’re trying to destroy me!” “No, baby! I would never ever do that!” Foxxe answered her, “You’re part of me! To destroy you would be like putting a gun to my head and blowing my own brains out! I need you and you need me!” “I don’t need you! I am The ShadowFox!” she declared, “I don’t need anybody!”

“That’s not true, sweetheart, and you know it!” said Foxxe in a motherly tone, “If that were true, you wouldn’t have been trying to reach out to Gray! You weren’t really going to eat her; you were going to try to turn her into what you are! So you wouldn’t be alone! You love her as much as I do!” “Yes, she is our best friend!” The ShadowFox said, “We wouldn’t want to live this way without her to kick around!” Grayson laughed, holding back tears. Foxxe urged, “Come on, sweetie! Let’s be one! I promise you’ll get to come out and play now that I know you’re here, but I’m in charge! Got that? No more of these uncontrolled outbursts, deal?” “Deal!” said The ShadowFox, “Bye, little black birdie, I’ll be seeing you! HAHAHAHAHA!” Mona stopped the energy beams as she felt the two personalities merge into one. Foxxe’s eyes ceased to glow and her fangs and claws retracted. Colonel Foxxe was whole once more.

“OK Doc, you can come in the rest of the way now.” said Psychlone. “Thank you, Miss Calderone!” Dr. de Winter replied sarcastically, “Now would you mind explaining what just took place in my med bay??” “Sorry Doc, but I didn’t have time to explain!” said Mona, “DarkWing’s life was in danger! In the hall I sensed Colonel Foxxe’s psychic split and the alternate personality of The ShadowFox. As you know Doc, when the mind can’t handle certain types of trauma, it will sometimes create another personality to help the psyche to deal with acts or information that overload or overcome it. I knew that the Colonel had to come to terms with this part of her that had been freed by the chemical imbalance in her brain if she was ever to survive this, so I psychically helped her reintegrate The ShadowFox personality back into one unified whole.”

Colonel Foxxe looked at Mona with misty eyes and said, “Thanks, Mona! I owe you big for this one!” “Not at all, chief!” Mona replied with a grin, “Just remember me come promotion review time!” “You got it, kid!” said Foxxe laughing. Foxxe turned to Grayson Ravenwing, who had tears streaming down her cheeks and said, “Gray, can you ever forgive me for what I put you through?” “Of course, Amie!” Gray replied, “What are best friends for? But I’m gonna milk this for all its worth, babycakes!” “What??” exclaimed Foxxe chuckling. “Oh yeah, baby! You’re gonna be buying me make-up presents for months behind this one!” Foxxe, Mona and Dr. de Winter all screamed with laughter. DarkWing continued, “Let’s see, you tried to eat me; then you hypnotized me, turning me into a slave; then to top it all off, you were going to drain my blood and turn me into a bloodthirsty, man-eating fox-woman! Honey, I’m making a list!”

Still chucking, Foxxe looked at Shiver aka Dr. de Winter and said, “Can you let me out of these things now, Doc?” “After I run a few brain scans to make sure this anomaly is gone, you’ll be free to go, but I’m taking you off active duty ‘til the General gets back!” “Aww, but Greta…” Foxxe began to whine. “Not another word!” said de Winter, “Remember what I told you! Not until I’m sure, especially for Grayson’s sake! Heck, you might try to eat or at least bite her again if I let you out of here and I’m not absolutely positive that this aberration is gone! Doctor’s orders! Now, get some rest and I’ll get started right away.” “All right, Greta!” conceded Foxxe, “I guess a little time off might do me good.”

“Yeah, besides I never did get to finish my little revenge tickle torture!” said DarkWing. “And you never will, right Greta?” said Foxxe. Greta smirked and walked out the door, leaving Foxxe in Major Ravenwing’s tender care. Foxxe looked around for the signal button again and looked up to see DarkWing swinging it, repeating her earlier question, “Looking for this? Now, where were we before the ice queen came in? Oh yes! Right here!” And the tickle torture began.

*****

Meanwhile, in a netherworld region…

“Mother, I’m so terribly bored!” said the large cat-like female, “Let’s go somewhere and kill someone! I’m feeling rather peckish!” “Patience, daughter!” replied the elder cat-creature, “As I said, you only have to master the shape shifting yet, before I can let you start your little campaign of revenge! Now, keep practicing until you get it perfected!” “Oh all right, mother!” she replied. Kitten knew her mother, the Cat Demon, was right. In the month since the destruction of CLAW, she had matured at a frightening rate. She was now nearly as tall as her mother; her powerful feline body accented with shapely muscles from neck to toe. Her skin was now unfurred and a light shade of pink, similar to a terra-cotta. Her cat-like ears were the same, but her dirty blonde hair was longer and cascaded down her back, stopping almost between her shoulder blades.

Kitten’s powers had grown in proportion with her body. She was faster, stronger, more agile and could rip through a human in seconds, rather than minutes. The powers of her diabolical mind had grown as well. Looking into her large lustrous green eyes had put nearly every human she had encountered under a powerful hypnotic spell which, so far, no one had been able resist. She still had her tail and, like the rest of her body, it too was more powerful, able to lift a metric ton all by itself or put the same amount of pressure on the neck of her prey as she gleefully strangled them.

Kitten now wore a much different costume than before. The colors were maroon, pink and fuchsia and the parts more revealing. She wore a maroon choker which topped a sheer, shimmering garment which covered her from neck to waist, also covering her arms, to the wrists. Her wrists had the metal gauntlets she wore before, but they were made of a heavier metal, capable of repelling or deflecting bullets and/or energy discharges of great magnitude. Her ample breasts were covered by a maroon colored spandex-like halter top that criss-crossed her chest, going around to the back, where it fastened. For sentimental reasons, Kitten still wore a bi-colored loincloth, maroon with fuchsia trim and a thong back. The CLAW belt changed its color to match the ensemble, but still glowed green from its inserts. Kitten’s shapely muscular legs were covered in a glistening, incredibly sheer hose that had a pinkish hue and were completely seamless, all the way to the waistline.

Kitten’s bushy brows furrowed as she concentrated. The air around her shimmered and there was a flash of pinkish-red light. The large cat-girl was gone and in her place stood a stunning young blonde female human. She was the same height as Kitten’s younger feline form, but there were no feline features. This form had the same dirty blonde hair, but in a short cut. Her eyebrows were still bushy and the same color as her hair. Her eyes were less pronounced, but still quite lustrous, green and beautiful. She was dressed in a tight lycra-like, high neck leotard and skirt, sheer hose and calf high PVC boots, all black. The CLAW belt had also changed to black, but the links centers still glowed green.

“How’s this, Mother?” asked Kitten proudly. “Wonderful!” said the Cat-Demon clapping her paw-like hands, “Now switch back and forth quickly, like I taught you.” Kitten leapt into the air, changed back to her cat-form, performed a mid-air somersault, and shape-shifted back to human form before her feet touched the ground. The Cat-Demon embraced Kitten and said, “Excellent, daughter! Absolutely purrfect!” “Thank you, Mother!” replied Kitten as she shifted back to cat-form, “Now can I go kill somebody?” “Not quite yet, my darling!” said the Cat-Demon, “Now you get to meet the Master, my husband. He will approve you and send you to carry out your revenge on the humans.” “Will he be…my father?” asked Kitten hopefully. “What made you ask that?” asked the Cat-Demon. “I don’t know! It just kinda popped into my head!” replied Kitten. “Well…You’ll know soon enough!” her mother answered.

“Come daughter, let’s not keep the Master waiting!” said the Cat-Demon. “I wonder if he’ll like me!” said Kitten as they left the training chamber. “Oh don’t worry silly girl, he’ll love you! I mean, you’re my daughter, what’s not to like?” purred the Cat-Demon. Kitten smiled. After walking down a long shadowy hallway, they finally reached the Hall of Audience. The Cat-Demon looked to the right of the door and picked up a large stone mallet. She then struck a large, thick metal strip which hung from the ceiling, on the right side of the huge entrance. The large chime resonated a loud strange tone. A booming voice from within asked, “WHO WISHES TO ENTER?” “It is I, my lord, Rileena, thy favorite!” the Cat-Demon replied, winking at Kitten, “I have come to present my daughter to you!” “ENTER MY LADY AND PRESENT YOURSELVES.” he replied. The huge stone doors slowly opened with a heavy grinding noise and the two cat-women strode in.

As Kitten padded across the huge chamber with her mother, she noticed deep chasms on either side of the walkway. From these chasms she could hear the screams of tortured souls in the flames that licked up from the depths of the twin abysses. Along the walls hung chained humans being treated to indescribable tortures by various types of imps and demons. Kitten licked her full red lips, watching the blood drip from their mangled bodies as they howled in agony by reason of their torturers. The feline duo reached the throne area at the end of the walkway and bowed to their knees before the huge male creature that sat upon a throne that appeared to be made of human and demonic skeletons.

“Rise, my favored one and her precious daughter!” he said. They rose and Kitten couldn’t help but think, “Mother was right, he is handsome!” The demonic looking man stood more than 6’10” tall, but even seated, he was large and imposing. His skin was dusky, a very light shade of grey, but not as dark as charcoal; more like a cloud on an overcast day. He had two ram-like horns that adorned his head, which curled back around his ears that appeared to be overlaid with gold. His curly blonde hair, similar in color to Kitten’s own, flowed down to and sat atop his ornate gold and burgundy armored chest.

His eyes were a luminous red color and almost seemed to glow softly. His nose was wide with flared nostrils and his eyebrows were thick, dirty blonde and bushy like Kitten’s. Around his mouth and on his chin grew a blondish gold Van Dyke mustache and beard combo, which Kitten found very attractive on him. His evil smiling mouth sported long top fangs, nearly two inches, and smaller fangs on the bottom. The rest of him, except his large yellowish demonic wings and hoofed feet, was covered in golden armor. On his right hand was a plate mail gauntlet decorated with the same ornate pattern in burgundy as his breast plate and shoulder guards.

His left hand was bare and held what appeared to be a thick wooden staff with gold at both ends and an elaborate headpiece that held a large, glowing, green, faceted jewel. This he extended to Rileena, The Cat-Demon and Kitten. Kitten kissed it as she saw her mother do. “Rileena, my lovely one, you are well, I trust?” he said. “Yes, thank you, my lord…and my love!” Rileena replied purring, “Allow me to present my daughter Katima D’ralene, but we call her, Kitten. Kitten, this is my husband and our Master, Dontarius, Lord of the Eighth Realm!”

Kitten dropped to one knee and said, “I am honored to finally meet you my lord and Master! The descriptions my mother gave of you did not prepare me for your presence. They did no justice to your handsomeness!” Dontarius laughed heartily and replied, “Well, I see she has your silver tongue, Rileena! Rise, child and approach me.” Kitten obeyed and Dontarius placed his staff in a golden holder next to the skeleton throne. He held up Kitten’s held gently by her chin and she smiled at him as he stared into her large, lovely green eyes. Dontarius smiled back at her and said, “Yes, you are you mother’s daughter, No doubt about it! As lovely as springtime and as deadly as the black plague! Come closer, my dear!” Kitten knew what was coming next.

Kitten came closer to the Lord of the Eighth Realm and moved her flaxen tresses from her right shoulder and bared her neck to him in submission. “I offer myself to your service, my Master, my life is yours. Take it if it pleases you, my lord!” Dontarius smiled, bared his long fangs and sank them into Kitten’s throat. Kitten gasped, but not in pain, but at the sudden feeling of power and ecstasy she felt from his bite. Dontarius eagerly drank from her severed vein for a full 30 seconds, his red eyes glowing, savoring the taste of her. When he had tasted enough, Dontarius removed his lips from Kitten’s throat and licked the wound closed, which healed instantly.

“Kitten, your taste rivals your mother’s to my tongue! Welcome to my service and to my heart…my daughter!” said Dontarius. “Daughter, my lord?” asked Kitten, “I don’t understand!” “Kitten, I didn’t tell you because I wasn’t quite sure.” said Rileena, “You see, I replaced the clone that Korva had engineered with my own begotten child…the child of my husband! I let him think that it was he who had created you because I wasn’t sure if the switch had actually worked. He did program you a little, but your body and soul were my…our gift to you!” Kitten looked at Dontarius with tears in her eyes and shouted “Father!” Dontarius embraced her tightly and Kitten purred loudly as Dontarius said, “My princess, my daughter, my Kitten! When I tasted you, I knew that my blood flowed in your veins! Now, you may take your place with your family! Now, you may rule the Eighth Realm with me!”

Kitten released her embrace and kissed her new-found father’s cheek. “Father, I have never been so happy before in my life, but I must return to the Earth Realm to repay a debt I owe to my enemies.” Kitten said with an evil smile, “I promised them they would die between my jaws, that my claws would rend their flesh and that I would feast upon their blood! I must keep that promise. May I go, father?” “Of course, my daughter, with my blessing and my power!” replied Dontarius. “Your power?” Kitten asked quizzically. “Yes, precious one!” he answered, “Here, drink from this.” Dontarius held out his left arm and pulled out the gilded knife from the jeweled scabbard he wore on the right side of the belt around his waist. He cut his wrist and offered it to Kitten. She drank deeply and hungrily, her green eyes glowing with pleasure…and power.

When she finished, she felt incredibly powerful. She reared back and let out a leopard-like scream that shook the cavernous throne room. “Father, I feel reborn!” shouted Kitten, “What has happened to me?” “Very much what you said, my dear!” replied Dontarius, “The infusion of my blood into your system has released the full power of your demonic nature. While you are not a full demon, you are now immortal and have nearly unlimited strength, speed and agility, the power to summon lower classes of demons and devils to do your bidding, to cast the fires of hell in streams and bolts, and most importantly, as you feed on these human’s bodies, you will also now feed on their life-force…their very souls!”

“Thank you, my father!” said Kitten with absolute joy, “Now they will pay for what they did to me, to my sisters, my friends! The murderer, General Hawkins; the traitor, Crimson Panther and Foxxe, my sweet little Foxy, will die last because she dared to threaten my life! They will watch as their lives and all they hold dear are torn to shreds, decimated by my fury! Only after they have nothing to cling to, nothing to hope for and nothing to live for, then and only then shall all of them shall die in fear, terror and agony as I suck the life from their souls! They will be mine to torture for all eternity! HAHAHAHAHAHA!!”

TO BE CONTINUED…in Episode II: Claws of Rage!

[superpics4les]

Haven't heard from anyone on this one yet, but here's the next installment anyway! Enjoy! 8)

*****

Gamma Girls: Kitten’s Revenge – Episode II: Claws of Rage


One month later, in Denver, CO…

Major General Ken (Sigma 1) Hawkins had taken an infrequent 3 day weekend away from SHADOW HQ. Hawkins rarely left the subterranean base beneath Grand Mesa except on a mission or when lately, Frankie (SHADOWCat) would drag him out kicking and screaming for some fresh air. This particular time, however was strictly voluntary. Hawkins’ 21 year-old son, Christopher Kenneth (C.K.) Hawkins, had just completed his Master’s Degree in Nuclear Physics from the Denver Institute of Technology. He had also accepted a research fellowship from DIT to participate in a classified project funded by the U.S. Government.

Hawkins was going to ask Frankie to come with him, but she was on a mission, helping Psychlone to track the whereabouts of Kitten. Hawkins had been informed of Colonel Foxxe’s condition and said that he would cut his visit short to come back and see about his best agent. Dr. de Winter said that it wouldn’t be necessary to do so and that he should stay as long as he wished. She also added that if he attempted to come back early, she would make it an order and instruct CELIA to lock him out of the base until his established time was up. He got the point.

The real reason Hawkins was so eager to get back from his short vacation wasn’t that he didn’t want to spend time with his son, but he didn’t want to see his ex-wife Alva. Alva De Ciccio-Hawkins was a drop dead gorgeous ex-model of 38, who had filled the General’s life with passion and sorrow. The beautiful dark-haired daughter of a high-ranking general in the Italian Special Forces, she had somehow learned that Hawkins had gotten his own command and also had a second star on his shoulder. Alva was a very manipulative woman who loved power and the men who wielded it. Hawkins divorced her when he caught her having an affair with his CO, a Brigadier General. She said she was trying to get him promoted, but he really didn’t believe her and told her he didn’t want it…not if he had to prostitute his own wife to get it.

Unfortunately, Alva also seemed to have a way to get Hawkins to do virtually anything she wanted him to. The last time they met, she almost convinced him to re-marry her, but luckily a mission came up just in time and called him away. He had hoped to bring Frankie with him on this trip to ward off Alva’s near-hypnotic power over him, but she couldn’t break away. He was alone and vulnerable. He had managed to avoid her completely at the graduation and the reception. Hawkins nervously sat in the bar in his hotel at a back booth, having a mint julep, his favorite mixed drink, and a Cuban cigar. Suddenly, he felt a soft hand caress his shoulder and heard a sultry Italian-accented voice behind him say, “Hello, Hawk.” “Hello, Alva.” he answered without turning. “Will you not look at me, my love?” she teased. “That has proven to be a dangerous thing for me, Alva.” said Hawkins, “I think I’ll pass.”

Alva smiled wickedly and sat down across from him. She touched his hand and Hawkins pulled it away quickly to take a long drink from his julep. “Why Hawk, what’s the matter?” she asked, “You act as if I were going to hurt you!” “Aren’t you, Alva?” asked Hawkins, not looking up from the table, “You always seem to.” “Oh, Hawk!” said Alva with tears forming in her eyes, “Will you never forgive me for that error in judgment so many years ago? Will you hold that against me forever? Can’t we at least be friends? For C.K.’s sake?” Then Hawkins made his mistake, he looked into Alva’s eyes. He had forgotten how beautiful she was.

He immediately became lost in her deep brown eyes and wiped the tears from her cheeks. She took his hands and kissed them both saying, “Please try to find a way to forgive me, please Hawk? You know I still love you. Come back to me, my love.” She took his hands and pulled them close to her, placing his palms on her chest. “Feel how my heart beats for you, my husband.” said Alva, beguiling him, “Let’s forget the past.” Alva slipped off her short boot and slowly slid her sleek, shiny tan hosed foot up Hawkins’ leg. “Take me upstairs to your suite, Amore.” she whispered, moving her hosed foot up and down his leg, “Make love to me!” Hawkins gave in. He had no defense against this onslaught to his senses. Alva once again had him wrapped around her little finger.

By the time Alva and Hawkins reached his suite, he was completely in her power. They kissed passionately and nearly ripped each other’s clothes off. The lovemaking was exquisite. Two hours later, there was a knock at the door. Hawkins could barely get out of bed, because Alva wouldn’t let go of him. He finally broke loose grabbed his robe and went to answer the door. He closed the double doors to the bedroom and crossed the lavishly decorated suite to the front door. When he opened the door, his knees went weak. There in the doorway was Frankie, dressed as the SHADOWCat!

“Surprise!” Frankie said cheerfully. Hawkins fainted. Frankie caught him and took him back inside the suite. “Hawk! Hawk, wake up!” said Frankie gently slapping at his face. “Wha…what happened?” said Hawkins groggily. “You fainted in my arms, Hawk!” said Frankie with a smile, “I knew I’d surprise you but I had no idea you were going to faint! I’m gonna be blackmailing you for a long time on this one, Mi Amor!” Just as Frankie was about to kiss him, Alva came out of the bedroom, wrapped in a bed sheet. “Hawk, who is this girl?” Alva demanded, “What is going on here?” “That’s what I’d like to know!” answered Frankie angrily. “Ladies, please calm down! Everything can be explained, I think!” said Hawkins. “Frankie, this is my ex-wife, Alva. Alva, this is Francisca de la Vega, my girlfriend.” “Ex-wife?” said Frankie, “Looks like you’re still exercising marital prerogatives to me!” “Hawk, I know about your pantyhose fetish, but whores in cat-costumes? Give me a break!” Alva laughed.

Hawkins turned slowly toward Alva and grabbed the front of the sheet covering her lovely body and pulled her violently toward him. “Alva, if I weren’t a gentleman, I’d throw your cute little Italian rear right through that window for what you just said!” declared Hawkins through his teeth, “Let me tell you something, little miss prissy, this lady has more class than you ever thought about having and more guts and courage than 10 of you! As a matter of fact, if there’s a whore in this suite, it’s the one I’m talking to!!” Alva was in shock! Frankie giggled to herself. “Alva, get dressed and get out!” Hawkins demanded, “But before you do, apologize to the woman I love, for calling her a whore, NOW!!” “I…I’m sorry!” Alva stammered, “I apologize!” Hawkins said, “And one other thing, I never want to see you in my presence again, unless it’s with my son! He is the only reason we ever need to correspond! Are we clear?” Alva teared up and nodded. She dressed quickly and left, humiliated.

As soon as the door closed, General Hawkins fell to one knee in front of Frankie, took both her hands, held his head down and said, “Frankie, I don’t know if you can ever forgive me for what I’ve done! Alva has some kind of presence that controls me! I couldn’t help myself! It’s no excuse, though! If you want to cut things off here and now, I’ll understand!” Suddenly, Frankie began to laugh hysterically; to the point that she could no longer stand. She flopped onto the couch, screaming with peals of laughter. “You’re taking this rather well!” said Hawkins quizzically, “I thought you’d be furious with me!” “When Alva first came out, I was incensed, then I smelled something from her.” replied Frankie.

“Smelled something? Like what?” asked Hawkins. “Like she’s a mutant, Hawk!” said Frankie, “She’s probably been manipulating you psychically, I bet!” “I’ll be…She’s been using me all these years!” he shouted, standing to his feet, “I’ll get her for this, if it’s the last thing I do!” Frankie caressed his face and said, “Let it go, Hawk! I’m thankful for her meddling! At least now I know you love me, beyond a shadow of a doubt!” “Frankie, you know I love you!” replied Hawkins, “I tell you all the time!” “Oh, I know that, Hawk” she said, “but to know that your love for me can break a hypnotic spell as strong as hers…well, it’s more than I dared hope for, considering the circumstances.” “Considering what, baby?” he said holding her close. “Considering I’m pregnant, Mi Amor!” said Frankie, looking up into his face. Major General Ken Hawkins fainted for the second time that evening. Frankie just laughed.

General Hawkins awoke shortly after and looked at Frankie. He smiled and asked, “Did I hear you right? Did you say pregnant?” “Si, Mi General, we’re going to have kittens!” answered Frankie. They both laughed heartily and embraced, kissing passionately. “Well, I guess my boys do swim, huh?” said Hawkins, caressing her face. “Yes, indeed, Mi Amor, quite well in fact!” said Frankie, “I wonder what our daughter will be like.” Hawkins looked at her with a quizzical expression and asked, “How do you know it’s gonna be a girl?” “Because that’s all I can have if Dr. Korva’s genetic programming proves out.” replied Frankie, “The fact that I conceived proves it will be a girl. If the chemical composition was such that a male was being formed, the lining of my womb would have never allowed it to attach.”

“Geez, Frankie!” said Hawkins, “Korva didn’t kid around, did he?” “No Hawk, he didn’t, that’s why he had to die!” said Frankie, “I’m glad we fed him to Kitten!” “Me too, sweetheart!” said Hawkins, “By the way, did you and Psychlone get a line on our killer kitten?” “No, unfortunately.” said Frankie sadly, “I can’t understand it! Where could she have called us from? Why can’t we locate her? Where the hell is Kitten??”

*****

A few days later, at The Denver Institute of Technology…

C.K. Hawkins had arrived exactly on time at the high security wing of the DIT Nuclear Research Center. Living with his dad as long as he did, made him a stickler for timeliness. He passed through the security checkpoint and was escorted to the Project Manager’s office. Through the door C.K. saw a man in his mid to late forties with slightly graying dark hair and reading glasses down on his nose, busily writing and typing notes into a computer. “Dr. Kenner?” C.K. said as he entered the room. “Ah, yes! Mr. Hawkins, please come in!” said Dr. Kenner, standing and shaking the young man’s hand, “I was just finishing up some paperwork before I head over to the lab. Come with me, I’ll show you around.” “Thank you doctor and please, call me C.K., everybody does.” replied C.K. “Of course, C.K.” replied Dr. Kenner, “Please, follow me.”

When Dr. Kenner finished his brief tour, they went to the lab that C.K. would be working in so that he would be able to familiarize himself with the layout. Upon entering, the phone rang and Dr. Kenner excused himself to answer it. Just then, C.K. heard someone humming in the storeroom to his left. He walked in to the room and atop a 5 foot ladder, about 4 feet from his right shoulder, was the single most gorgeous set of model perfect feet sheathed in shimmering black nylon he had ever seen. The legs they were attached to were equally as impressive and seemed to go on forever. The young woman seemed to be having trouble reaching some type of electronic gizmo on the very top shelf and was standing on her tip toes to try to get at it.

C.K. cleared his throat and the girl looked down at him and smiled. “Hello.” said C.K. flashing his best smile. “Hello, yourself.” she replied. “You know, you really shouldn’t stand on the top of the ladder like that, especially in your stockinged feet on tip toe.” said C.K., “It could be dangerous.” “Oh, relax wouldja!” said the pretty blonde, “I do this all the time! You sound like Dr. Kenner!” C.K. shrugged and the girl laughed. Just as he was about to introduce himself, the component the young lady was reaching for oscillated in her hand and as she tried to hold onto it, she lost her balance and fell from the ladder!

C.K., moving swiftly, got under her and caught her in his arms. C.K. held her like a baby, losing himself in her beautiful eyes. She smiled at him sheepishly; as he returned her smile and said, “See what I mean?” “Well, I suppose I’m not in a position to disagree!” she replied, “What’s your name?” “C.K. Hawkins. What’s yours?” he replied. “Kathy Dralen, but my friends call me Kat.” she answered. “Nice to meet you, Kat.” said C.K. “Likewise, I’m sure. Especially since you just saved my life!” said Kat, “Incidentally, I think you can put me down now.” C.K. looked into Kat’s eyes and replied with a smirk, “Suppose I don’t want to.” Kat grinned widely and traced the outline of C.K.’s chin with her index finger. “Really, you should put me down.” Kat replied, licking her ample lips, “I need to put this component in the EM-275 unit right away.” “On one condition, that you have dinner with me tonight.” said C.K.

Kat smiled and said, “Wow, I get rescued and dinner too? What a deal! It’s a date, then!” C.K. laughed and set Kathy down. To his surprise, Kat still stood and walked on her toes like a ballerina as she retrieved and donned her black leather calf length boots. C.K. and Kat were chatting and making their dinner plans when Dr. Kenner returned from his phone call. “I see you’ve met Kathy already, good!” said Kenner, “You two will be spending a lot of time together.” C.K. thought, “God, I hope so! She is so hot!”

Kat turned to walk over to the particle accelerator unit to replace the component she had retrieved from the storeroom. She smiled wryly and after making sure Kenner wouldn’t see, gave C.K. a frencher he’d never forget. It was incredibly intense and very short. When she finished, C.K. asked, “Not that I mind in the slightest, but what was that for?” “For the rescue, silly boy.” said Kat with a wink. “Remind me to do it more often!” said C.K. “See you tonight…hero!” She giggled and set off to her work, making sure to exaggerate the sway of her hips under her lab coat, knowing C.K. was watching. “Man, this is turning out to be one heckuva day!” C.K. thought.

Later that afternoon, Kat returned to her apartment to get ready for her date with C.K. “My, my! He is sooo cute!” said Kat to herself, “I think I may date him a little while longer than I originally planned! After all there’s no rush!” Kat tossed her keys on the table in the dining area and removed her boots. She reclined on the sofa and closed her eyes. Suddenly, there was a flash of pinkish light and Kat was gone, replaced by the gorgeously deadly Kitten! “Ah, it’s good to be myself again!” Kitten thought, purring, “Tonight, I think I’ll rock C.K.’s little world and expose him to a realm of pleasure he’s never experienced! He’ll be mine to do with as I please from this night forward! It’s a pity I’ll have to kill C.K., but his father must be as devastated as I was when I killed Dr. Korva! I’ll decimate both Panther, whom he loves, and C.K. right before his eyes…or should I say eye, as he watches my bloody revenge, powerless to stop me!”

“Thinking about this is making me hungry!” thought Kitten, “I have just enough time to go out and get a bite!” Kitten cloaked herself in a mind cloud and left through the window. It was twilight and the streets were bustling with activity with people getting off work and students heading from their last classes of the day. Kitten spotted a likely candidate in the crowd of pedestrians. Herbie Klein was just getting out of a cab near his apartment building. Kitten smiled as she studied her intended prey. Herbie was a stockbroker who had just made a killing in the market due to some insider information that he didn’t tell his boss about. His boss who was heavily leveraged lost a bundle. Herbie had just made a bid to acquire the company in a hostile takeover. He didn’t know it at the time, but his boss had just shot himself back at the office. The message was being left on his voice-mail right at that moment. He’d never get the chance to retrieve it.

There was a small park next to Herbie’s apartment building. Kitten sent the thought to Herbie’s mind that it would be nice to take a stroll and watch the sunset. He responded beautifully. Herbie spoke to one or two people as they passed him and found a bench to sit on. After being there about a minute, he decided it was time to go home. Just as he stood up, he felt something seize him by the throat. He gasped and clawed at the thick appendage, but was unable to dislodge it. He was being strangled. Kitten grinned, tightened her tail’s grip on Herbie’s poor throat and yanked him up into the tree that she had been perched in.

Kitten gleefully and silently clawed him to death and drained his blood and life-force. She then incinerated his body and tossed his ashes in the small pond that was a short distance from the bench. Kitten re-cloaked herself and headed back to Kat’s apartment, just in time to hear C.K. buzzing the intercom. “Yes?” she said answering the signal. “It’s your hero come to rescue you from an evening of boredom!” answered C.K. “Hi, sweetie! Come on up!” Kitten said, buzzing him in. Kitten transformed back into Kat with a different outfit.

Kat now wore a burgundy lycra top with a sheer red panel from her gold choker to her cleavage. The CLAW belt had changed its color to dark red with gold/yellow crystals. Her black knee length skirt had changed to an ankle length burgundy one with two thigh-high slits that showed off her shapely legs sheathed in glistening red hose. Dark red leather ankle boots completed her ensemble. Kat was admiring herself in the full-length mirror behind her bedroom door when C.K. knocked. Kat opened the door and C.K.’s jaw dropped. “Wow! You look fabulous!” said C.K., “I feel under dressed!” “Oh, stop it and come on in!” said Kat with a blush beginning to come to her cheek, “Besides you look good enough to eat yourself!” “You’re teasing me!” said C.K., entering the apartment, “You look gorgeous and I’ve got on a turtleneck and an old leather jacket!” “Sometimes it doesn’t matter what’s being worn, it’s who it’s draped on!” said Kat closing the door.

Kat slinked over to C.K. and put her arms around his neck. “Since you think our outfits are a little mismatched, we could…stay in and order out, if you like.” Kat said showing her sexiest grin. “Whatever you want, sweetness.” said C.K., “It makes no difference to me either way!” Kat smiled pulling his mouth down to hers and planted another frencher on him, but this one was long and slow. When they came up for air, C.K. picked her up in his arms and walked toward the couch. Kat kicked her boots off on the way and C.K. laid her down gently. C.K. sat down next to her and looked at her from head to toe and said, “Kat, you’ve got the prettiest feet I think I’ve ever seen!” Kat grinned and sliding her glistening red foot up his chest to his chin replied, “I’m just cute all over, baby! Wanna see the rest?” “Don’t mind if I do!” said C.K. He removed his jacket and embraced her, Kat letting out a soft moan. One thing led to another and…they never did eat dinner.

*****

Back at SHADOW HQ…

General Hawkins and Frankie returned to SHADOW’s subterranean HQ after 2 more days of R and R, giving Hawkins time to assimilate being a father again. Upon arrival, Hawkins immediately went to visit Colonel Foxxe to see for himself this new persona of hers. “Come.” said Colonel Foxxe, in answer to the door signal. The door opened and General Hawkins stepped in. Foxxe and Major Ravenwing both jumped up and stood at attention. “As you were.” said Hawkins, entering the room, “So, how are you feeling Colonel?” “Fit as a fiddle, sir!” said Foxxe, “How was your trip?” “Ummm, eventful and we’ll leave it at that, for now.” replied Hawkins with a grin, “I’m more interested in this new member of Gamma Section.” “Oh, you mean The ShadowFox.” said Foxxe. “Yes. Tell me about her.” said Hawkins, thumping his cigar ash into the tray on the coffee table, “Inquiring minds want to know!”

Foxxe briefly explained Korva’s “little parting gift” and the subsequent creation of the ShadowFox personality. As she was doing so, Major Ravenwing asked, “Why don’t you just show him?” “Good idea, Gray!” said Foxxe. Hawkins sat up in his place on the couch and waited. Foxxe concentrated and said, “ShadowFox, come on out, sweetie. I’ve got someone here who wants to meet you!” Foxxe’s curvaceous body shimmered for a moment, and then there was a flash of light. The ShadowFox had come out to play. She wore something different from what Foxxe had worn. She was covered from a red metal choker to the tips of her toes with a sheer shimmering black bodystocking. Two side panels, made of a shiny, red, lycra-like material covered her breasts. The bodystocking also covered her hands, but had tiny holes near the fingers so that she could bare her claws without tearing the suit. She also had a gauntlet of black metal, trimmed in red, on each arm, extending from the wrist to just below the elbow. ShadowFox still retained the utility belt Gamma Prime wore and the shiny dark red panty.

“Hello, General. I’m pleased to finally meet you.” said ShadowFox, in her deep sexy voice. Hawkins seemed mesmerized by the voice and her intense red eyes. “General, are you OK?” asked ShadowFox. “Oh, Y…Yes!” Hawkins stammered, staring at ShadowFox’s body clad in shimmering black. ShadowFox grinned widely, showing her sharp white fangs and teeth and said, “Shame on you, General! Staring at me that way! I’m gonna tell Frankie on you!” Ravenwing snickered, but stopped instantly when Hawkins shot her a stern look. Hawkins blushed and replied, “Sorry about that, ShadowFox. I’m just not used to seeing this…much of Colonel Foxxe. It kinda took me by surprise! It won’t happen again, I promise!”

ShadowFox laughed and said, “Oh, I doubt that, but we’ll see! After all, I am kinda difficult to resist looking at, aren’t I?” “I refuse to answer that question on the grounds that it may serve to incriminate me!” replied Hawkins with a wink. ShadowFox and Ravenwing both laughed out loud. Hawkins said, “It was nice meeting you ShadowFox, but I need to talk to Colonel Foxxe now, if you don’t mind.” “Oh, poo!” said ShadowFox, “No one ever wants to talk to me!” “I promise I’ll let you come out and we’ll talk another time, OK?” asked Hawkins. “Really? You promise?” asked ShadowFox hopefully. “Yes, dear. I promise.” replied Hawkins with a smile. “OK, then.” she replied. ShadowFox looked at Ravenwing and slid her tongue across her sharp teeth and said, “Don’t think you’ve gotten away from me completely, pretty birdie. I may not be able to eat you, but I’ll sneak myself a taste someday soon. Bye-bye!”

The ShadowFox did a finger wave and disappeared, exchanging guises and personalities with Colonel Foxxe. “Major, what’s that all about?” asked Hawkins. “Well sir, ShadowFox tried to convert me into what she is the first time she emerged.” explained Ravenwing, “I guess she feels cheated. Even though I don’t think she’d really hurt me, she goes out of her way to tease me.” “Trust me, Gray, I won’t let her do anything to hurt you.” said Foxxe with a grin, “Although, that new Gamma Section uniform is pretty hot on you, girlfriend!” “You really think so?” asked Ravenwing. “It is more attractive than the Omega outfit, Major and I like the new hair style as well.” said Hawkins. “Why, thank you, General!” said Ravenwing blushing. “Ahem, well carry on ladies!” Hawkins said, as he stood, preparing to leave. The two beautiful superheroines came to attention and gave him a smart salute, which the General returned as he departed.

“Wow! He’s really mellowing out, isn’t he?” said Ravenwing. “Yeah, well love can do that to ya, if ya let it!” replied a smiling Foxxe. “Hmmm, maybe we should find you a boyfriend too!” said Ravenwing laughing. “Oooh, you’re gonna get it for that one!” said Foxxe with a playful frown, “I think I’ll let the Fox out to play again!” “Amie, you wouldn’t!” said Ravenwing backing away. Foxxe smiled and shifted to ShadowFox form, who laughed and said, “Now it’s time for my little snack! GRROWLL!” “YIKES!” said Ravenwing and took flight, flying from the room at top speed with ShadowFox snarling at her heels.

*****

Back at Kat’s apartment…

C.K. lay sleeping as Kat got up from the king sized brass bed, her nude body glistening with sweat. The two had made love for a little over 2 hours and C.K. was exhausted. Kat however seemed only a little fatigued, but let C.K. rest from his labor. Kat looked back at him and smiled as she went into the bathroom adjacent to the bedroom and shut the door. Kat looked in the mirror and admired her unclothed human form. Suddenly, the mirror warped itself and staring at her out of the rippling glass was her mother’s face. “Greetings, my daughter!” said the Cat Demon. Kat quickly put a noise canceling spell on the door to the bedroom so C.K. wouldn’t be disturbed by the conversation.

“Well, hello mother!” said Kat, transforming into Kitten, “To what do I owe the pleasure?” “I think you owe it to the boy in your bed, Kitten!” said Rileena laughing, “I didn’t hear you scream like that when you were born!” “Mo-ther!!” said Kitten with a blush, “Were you watching us?” “As always, my child!” she answered, “So how did it feel to your human body?” “Oh mother, he was magnificent!” Kitten answered, her eyes rolling back in her head, “I may consider keeping him as a love slave after this performance! I haven’t made up my mind yet, though!” “Whatever you wish, Kitten!” said Rileena, “It’s your plan. But remember, you wanted his father to suffer! Which reminds me, to ask you, how are you going to get him to come to you to slaughter his family before his…eye?”

“Quite simple, really.” explained Kitten, “Each time we make love, he’ll fall further and further under my spell. Soon I’ll have complete control of him and he’ll do whatever I command. Then I’ll have him call the General and Panther to a dinner to meet his potential wife-to-be and then I’ll capture them both and the slaughter will begin.” “Very nice plan, daughter!” Rileena praised, “How will you trap Foxxe, though? She’s as wily as her namesake!” “Also very simple, mother.” said Kitten, “Foxxe is fiercely loyal to her friends in SHADOW. I’ll just capture her favorite and she’ll come racing to the rescue. By the time she gets to my little hideaway, her friend’s blood will flow down my throat, to be shortly followed by her own! Mmmrowr!”

“Excellent, child! I’m so proud of you!” said Rileena, “Your mind is as diabolical as your father’s! Wait ‘til I tell him of your plan of vengeance! He’ll be proud as well!” “Thank you, mother!” said Kitten beaming. Just then Kitten heard C.K. begin to stir. “I have to go mother. My toy-boy is awakening!” said Kitten her eyes glowing, “It’s time for round two! Rrrowrr!” “Go get him, baby!” said Rileena giggling, “See you later! Farewell!” “Good-bye mother! I love you!” “And I you, my precious one!” said Rileena blowing her a kiss. The mirror returned to its normal state and Kitten transformed back into Kat’s beautiful naked form.

Kat emerged from the bathroom and slowly padded up from behind C.K. who was sliding on his pants. Kat growled and pounced on him and they both fell onto the bed laughing. “And just where do you think you’re going, Mr. Hawkins?” asked Kat straddling C.K.’s hips. “Kat, it’s getting late. I thought I’d better get going.” he answered. “Did I give you the impression I was done with you yet, my handsome hero?” she asked licking her lips. “I wasn’t really sure.” said C.K. smiling, “You were in the bathroom.” “Well I’m not!” Kat said playfully scratching at his chest, “So you’d better not try to leave without permission again!” “And if I do?” asked C.K. with a smile. “Then Kat will have to claw you, my captive mouse! Mrowr!” she answered with an evil grin. “Well, we wouldn’t want that, now would we?” said C.K. smiling. “No, we wouldn’t!” said Kat, kissing him and wrapping her sleek legs around him. C.K. removed the clothing he had put on and the lovemaking began again.

*****

At SHADOW HQ…

Colonel Foxxe was sitting at her desk in her Gamma Section uniform going over some reports of disappearances in the Denver Metro area. She had just set the documents aside when the holographic figure of CELIA appeared. “Pardon me Colonel, but there is an interstellar communication online for you from the Krellan system.” said CELIA. “Krellan? That’s where K’arol was from isn’t it?” asked Foxxe. “Yes, Colonel. Shall I put it through?” asked CELIA. “Of course! Please do!” said Foxxe turning toward the large screen behind her desk.

The screen shimmered and there before her was a gorgeous redhead with antennae and gossamer shimmering wings, her shiny red hair pulled up into a simple pony tail. “K’arol??” Foxxe said in disbelief. “Greetings, Colonel Foxxe.” said the young woman, “No, you’re not seeing a ghost. My name is K’anu Zzornz. K’arol was my baby sister.” “Oh, I see. My apologies, but you look so much like her.” Foxxe replied, “Well, what can I do for you, Miss Zzornz?” “Actually, it’s Lt. Zzornz of the Krellan Federation Secret Service.” said K’anu, “I’m requesting permission of you to be temporarily reassigned to the Gamma Section of SHADOW to follow the T’Kelmak, the Blood Path, to one who murdered my sister and to see this creature pay for her death with her life!”

Foxxe studied her face and stood up. “I would be honored to have you join us for this hunt, K’anu!” said Foxxe with a bow, “Do you have a code name?” “Yes, I am called Killer Bee.” she answered, “My powers are similar to my sister’s except I have been trained as an assassin to carry out my government’s orders when termination warrants are issued. I have 5 times the strength, speed, bio-electric power and plasma energy discharge as my sister. I won’t let you down, Colonel!” “It didn’t cross my mind that you would.” said Foxxe, “I’ll see you when you arrive, Lieutenant.”

“Yes, ma’am!” said K’anu with a smile and a smart salute, which Foxxe returned. “Colonel?” said K’anu. Foxxe sat down and looked at the screen intently and said, “Yes, Lieutenant?” “Thank you.” said Lt. Zzornz. “Welcome to the Gamma Girls, K’anu.” said Foxxe. K’anu smiled and her image faded from the screen. Foxxe turned back to her desk and thought, “This case just got more interesting!” Foxxe punched a button on her phone and the General answered, “Hello Foxxe. What’s up?” “General, have I got news for you!” said Foxxe.

*****

Elsewhere in Denver, CO…

Captain Mona Lisa Calderone, code named Psychlone, was in meditation in her apartment away from the subterranean SHADOW base. She was one of the few members of SHADOW that was allowed to keep separate quarters off base. Mona needed to be above ground for a few days once in a while to clear her head and get away from the close proximity of so many minds. The city afforded her some distance between the mental radiations of so many people instead of the intense concentration of the huge facility.

Mona was thinking about Kitten, wondering why she and Frankie were having such a difficult time finding her. Suddenly, she got a psychic flash. It was Kitten! The flash was extremely erotic and almost caused Mona to cry out. At the same time, Kat was riding C.K. like a wild stallion, experiencing multiple orgasms. Kat suddenly felt Mona’s mind touching hers. Kat grinned and sent a psychic message to Mona as Kitten. “Ah, I see you’ve found me at last!” said Kitten, “I thought you’d never do it! I remember you! You’re the one my mother put into a coma for a little while! You have a strong mind! Mother thought she’d killed you!”

“It’ll take more than that to kill me, you murdering witch!” replied Mona, “Where are you? I can feel you, but I can’t tell where you are!” “And you won’t either!” said Kitten, “Not until I want you to! By the way, are you enjoying my toy-boy as much as I am?” Mona shuddered from the erotic stimulation being sent by the telepathic link. “Hell, yes! Who is this guy?” asked Mona, “Does he have a brother?” “Sorry, sweetie!” said Kitten laughing, “He’s one of a kind and he’s all mine! HAHA!” “Enjoy him while you can alley-cat!” said Mona angrily, remembering to whom she was speaking, “I’ll find a way to track you and when I do…” “When you do, I’ll be waiting, Tinkerbell, I’ll be waiting, meow!” she answered. Kitten severed the link and went back to her lovemaking, totally rocking C.K.’s world as well as her own.

Mona snapped back to reality and slumped over to the floor. She was glad no one was present to see her, as her tight little bikini panties were soaked from all the erotic stimulation she experienced during her link with Kitten. She raced to the phone to call Colonel Foxxe and report this new development. She told Foxxe that she would return to HQ immediately for a full debriefing. Suddenly, she picked up two more psychic traces in the Denver area, two more feline psyches, but like Kitten, she couldn’t pinpoint them. She could tell one thing for certain, they were hungry and closing in on their chosen prey. Mona hurried to clean herself up and return to base.

*****

In the suburbs of Denver…

Captain Talia Ynaros, codenamed Songbird, had just returned home from doing some grocery shopping. Talia was another of SHADOW’s special cases that also had off-base housing. The people of her world had a genetically inborn claustrophobia. Even though Talia could spend months in SHADOW’s subterranean HQ, every now and again she had to get out of the facility for a few days or go stark raving mad. She had passed on becoming a Gamma Girl because she preferred the rescue and life saving missions of Alpha Section, where she was on loan from during the CLAW Affair.

Having returned to Alpha Section, Talia was unnerved by the deaths she had caused during the destruction of the CLAW HQ. Alpha Prime noticed this and gave her some time off. After returning home and putting away her groceries, Talia unfastened the brace that held her large bluish feathered wings down on her back so that she would appear to be more human. Her neighbors just thought of her as a beautiful dwarvish woman with bluish green hair.

Talia unfolded her wings and let them spread out to their full span of 5 feet. She then sat in her specially made recliner and started to read one of her favorite books. Outside, in the wooded area behind Talia’s suburban residence, two feline figures de-cloaked themselves, waiting for Talia to relax and fall asleep in her favorite spot. The two cat-girls had been watching Talia for the past week or so, to determine what her habits were and the best time to attack and kill her. The girls, that Kitten called her PussyKats, were not clones, like the assassins of CLAW, but converts.

They were both exotic dancers at a local gentleman’s club, The Pink Pussycat. The girls were being abused constantly by the owner of the club and his henchmen. The owner, Dante Guzman, was trying to break into the prostitution business and wanted the girls to do double duty. The rest of the dancers had complied, being too intimidated to do much else. Ruby Mendoza, a Latina dream on two legs, and Jade Carlson, a ravishing blonde, were the only ones to refuse. The boys took the two girls outside to the alley to “persuade” them otherwise. The boys did their work well, but the two beautiful women still refused. Dante became incensed and told the boys to kill them, to make them an example to the other women of the price of disobedience.

Kitten was out hunting in the area and spotted the situation unfolding in the alley. Kitten was evil, but still didn’t like what she saw. Just as Dante’s boys were about to execute the girls, Kitten attacked and clawed Dante and the two henchmen into unconsciousness. Kitten approached the two battered and bruised women who cowered before her. Kitten offered to give them the power to take their revenge against Dante and anyone else who had ever hurt them. She guaranteed that no one would ever hurt them again. They accepted. Kitten hypnotized them and alternately drained their blood to the point of death, then infused them with her own blood. The change was swift and wondrous.

The girls each maintained a more human appearance than Kitten, in that the only thing feline looking about them was their ears, which pointed straight up above their heads, and their hands, which became paw-like and sprouted razor-sharp claws. Their sensuous mouths also changed by the addition of needle sharp fangs, both upper and lower. Neither girl had Kitten’s feline tail. After their transformation, the girls exuberantly clawed, killed and fed upon Dante and his two henchmen. They then left with their new mistress, back to her hideaway.

This evening, they had finally been given permission by Kitten to kill Talia Ynaros, after watching her with cat-like patience for a little over a week and a half. Ruby, the dark haired Latina beauty, set herself in a low crouch, her green eyes observing Talia through the bay window. Also silently observing Talia’s movements was the beautiful Jade, her blonde hair in two pigtails falling on opposite sides of her cat-like ears. Like her namesake, Ruby’s favorite color was dark red, so her garb was a mix of very dark brown and dark red. Her skin was already quite dark, but the transformation into a cat-woman had made her skin even darker, a rich almost medium brown. She wore a dark red metal choker and a bikini, which looked like it was made of mink or some other kind of fur. The outfit was accented by a dark red tie-on belt, with her legs being sheathed in glorious glistening off-black hose. Her claws and toenails were both a dark red color.

Jade wore a lycra-like bustier and bikini bottom combination in green with much the same accessories as Ruby’s, just in green, including her claws and toenails. “Is she asleep yet?” asked Jade, her stomach rumbling. “No, not yet.” whispered Ruby, “Be patient, baby-girl. She’s fading fast.” Talia was indeed falling under the spell of her book and soon was fast asleep. “Come Jade, it’s time to eat!” said Ruby. The two cat-girls activated their mind clouds and silently padded to the back door of the house. They entered the house and crept noiselessly to the den where Talia was sleeping. Ruby sent a telepathic message to Jade telling her that the first strike must be to her throat, otherwise her sonic scream would incapacitate or kill them. Jade acknowledged.

The sleek hosed feet of the deadly duo made no sound as they moved one to each side of their prey. “Now!” said Ruby telepathically. Jade struck Talia in the throat, sinking her claws deep into the trachea, damaging her larynx. She was now powerless. The girls decloaked and hissed loudly, ripping at Talia’s flesh. Talia, although injured, fought back hard, trying to get up to fly. Talia landed a few stunning blows, but the powerful cat-girls’ clawing onslaught was too much for her and she soon succumbed to the attack. When Talia no longer struggled, Jade flipped her over onto her stomach and heartlessly tore off her wings, licking the wounds closed quickly so she wouldn’t lose much blood. The girls then chose their feeding positions, Ruby at the carotid artery in the neck, Jade at the femoral artery in the thigh. They both sank their fangs into the vessels they chose and drained her dry. They then shared her heart, leaving the rest of the body to rot, but taking the wings with them. Kitten said she had a special purpose for them.

*****

Two days later…

CELIA appeared in Colonel Foxxe’s office with a message that a large package had been delivered to her post office box. It seemed to be hermetically sealed so that no air could get in or escape. The scans indicated decaying organic material, but nothing conclusive. Foxxe ordered the package brought to the Medical Section so that if it did contain a bio-hazardous material, it could be contained and destroyed without harm to the whole facility. Dr. de Winter carefully used the robotic arms in the iso-lab to open the package. Even through the iso-lab’s secure seals, Foxxe’s super-keen sense of smell could detect the rotting flesh as the lid was opened. Dr. de Winter burst into tears when she saw the wings lying in the box, for she knew to whom they had once belonged.

Foxxe quickly moved to a communicator and ordered a stealth recon team to Talia’s house, knowing what they would find. Minutes later, the recon team reported finding Songbird’s decomposing body in her den. They also reported that the body had been mauled as if by a wild animal. Foxxe ordered the body brought back so that it could be properly prepared for shipment to Talia’s home planet of Tekkar Prime, in the Theta Centauri star system. Foxxe looked at the note that was enclosed with the wings. This had to be the 20th time she’d read it in the past hour, she’d almost memorized it. It said:

Dear Foxy:

By now you know I’m somewhere near you. I’m coming for you now and there’s nothing you can do to stop me. You, Panther and old Cyclops will be the last to die so you can watch all the others perish before you do.

You probably wonder who’ll be next, don’t you? Well, if I told you, it wouldn’t be a surprise! Besides, you’ll find out soon enough when the body arrives. See you soon!

Love and Kisses,

Kitten

P.S. My PussyKats tell me the little bird was delicious. I hope it’ll be the same with you! Meow! K.

Major Ravenwing rang Foxxe’s door buzzer and she let her old friend in. Foxxe was overcome with a mix of fury, grief and frustration. Another of her nigh invincible team with which she had destroyed CLAW was now dead and she was no closer to finding Kitten than she was before. She did know from Mona’s debriefing that Kitten could some how broadcast not only her thoughts, but sounds from the area around her over any media she wished: telephone, radio, television, you name it. That was how she could send the sound of K’arol being mauled to death and still remain completely untraceable. Mona said she had an idea as to how she might be able to track her down, but if she did, it was too late for poor Talia.

“Amie, there was no way you could have known what Kitten would do.” said Grayson, “It’s not your fault. Don’t blame yourself for this.” “I don’t Gray.” said Foxxe in a somber tone, “I blame Kitten and her little cohorts! She’s right though. I would like to know who’s going to be next.” Foxxe stood and walked over to the large picture window in her quarters that over looked the parade grounds of the SHADOW Academy. “We’ve been a couple of steps behind Kitten all this time.” said Foxxe, “It’s high time we started getting a step ahead! Gray, go and tell Alpha Prime that Talia’s dead, if she hasn’t already heard. They were good friends.” “But Amie…” said Grayson. “That was not a request, Major.” said Foxxe in a most commanding tone, her back still to her. “Yes, ma’am!” said Ravenwing standing at attention, “Will that be all, Colonel?” “Yes.” said Foxxe curtly, “Dismissed.” Ravenwing looked hurt, but she turned on her heel and left Foxxe to her thoughts. Ravenwing knew it was best to let her sort through this herself, just as she when K’arol was murdered.

Foxxe removed her mask and set it on the window sill. She closed her eyes tightly and a tear formed and rolled down her cheek. Suddenly, she heard a voice speak to her. “Amie?” It was The ShadowFox. “Yes, what is it, sweetheart?” she answered mentally. “We have to find her, Amie.” said ShadowFox, “Our friends must be avenged!” “They will be, I promise you!” said Foxxe sternly, “Anyway, why should you care? All you want is to feel their blood flow over your hands don’t you?” “Perhaps.” said ShadowFox, “When I first emerged it was all I could think about, but now that I’ve truly become a part of you, it’s much more than just bloodlust. I feel everything you do. I feel your pain, sorrow and frustration at the little one’s death. I want to help.”

“That’s sweet of you to say.” Foxxe answered smiling, “I’m sorry if I diminished your feelings. I should have known better.” “No need to apologize, Amie.” ShadowFox replied, “This whole conversation is just you trying to reconcile your feelings and work on a strategy to locate Kitten before she strikes again!” Foxxe burst out laughing and thought, “I guess you’re right! After all, you are a part of me, just as I am a part of you. So, how do we find Kitten, my feral friend?” “What did you always do when you were developing strategy and needed help before?” asked ShadowFox. Foxxe thought a moment and smiled widely. “Of course!” said Foxxe, “She’s always helped me focus my thoughts and see clearly what to do when I’ve been stuck!” “She’s still one of the greatest warriors in the galaxy, Amie!” said ShadowFox, “Go to her. Ask her advice. She won’t steer you wrong!”

“Thanks, Shadow! I owe you one!” said Foxxe. “Enough to let me take a little bite out of Gray?” teased ShadowFox. “Now you stop that!” giggled Foxxe, “Why are you so obsessed with biting our best friend?” “Because she is just that!” said ShadowFox seriously, “And if Kitten finds out about that…” “I don’t even want to think about what she’ll do to Gray if she gets her claws on her!” replied Foxxe, “OK, so how do we protect her?” “We give her the power we have to add to her own and make her like us!” said ShadowFox, “Offer it to her. Let it be her choice, don’t assume she’ll say no.” “OK, I’ll ask her.” said Foxxe, “But it must be her decision. No strong-arm techniques, understand?” “Completely, Colonel!” answered ShadowFox, “Now go and see your mentor and teacher!”

Foxxe walked to the center console and punched in an all too familiar access/locator code. The 14” monitor screen shimmered and on the screen formed the face of an old friend. She smiled broadly and said, “Foxxe L’dora, I wondered when you would call! It’s been too long since you’ve called your old Master!” Foxxe bowed toward the image and replied, “Forgive me, L’ah D’oshe! The pressures of running the command you and the General entrusted me with takes much of my time! After all, how would you manage if you had a command staff of 5 people just like me?” Omega Prime, leader of the Omega Section of SHADOW, burst out laughing and answered, “I can see how that would keep you very busy!” Omega’s smile melted quickly and she said, “I have heard about your recent losses. This Kitten has no honor. What can I do to assist you, Foxxe?” “Master, I need to talk. Do you have some time?” replied Foxxe. “For you? Always, but not over the vid-link.” said Omega, “Come to my quarters, we’ll talk.” “Thank you, my Master!” said Foxxe, with a respectful bow, “I’ll see you soon, L’ah D’oshe!” Omega Prime nodded and her image faded from view.

*****

Meanwhile, at Kitten’s hideaway…

Kitten sat in the study of the large house that served as her base of operations. Kitten had received a gift from her father, Dontarius, Lord of the 8th Realm, of 500 metric tons of gold bullion. Dontarius always loved gold and kept a monstrous supply of it handy. Not to spend it or drive the price up or down, just to walk in his treasure trove and look at it, to watch it gleam and shine in the hellfire’s light and know that it was his to command. This amount that he gave to Kitten was merely for expenses to carry out her plan of revenge against General Hawkins and SHADOW.

Her PussyKats were at her sleek pinkish-red hose covered feet, purring and rubbing against her legs. She was very pleased with them. With just the smallest amount of training they had killed Talia Ynaros and stood ready to carry out the next phase of her plan. “Mistress?” asked Jade, looking up at Kitten, “What’s next in this plan for us to do?” Kitten laughed and replied, “Well, my little PussyKat, if you must know, I do have a job for you to do for me! I need you to capture one of the Gamma Girls and bring her to me…alive” “Aww, Mistress!” whined Ruby, “That’s not fair! We hardly ever get to kill anyone, other than when we eat our daily meal! What about fun? What about between meal snacks?” “Now, now, my precious little ones don’t fret!” said Kitten in a motherly tone, “I promise, I’ll let you have her when I’m finished with her!”

“Oh, all right, Mistress!” said Jade, “Who is it this time?” “Well, my pet, there are only two other agents of SHADOW that have quarters off base.” explained Kitten, “Both of whom you will capture and bring back here. One, I need, the other will be your reward for getting the other to me alive and unharmed…at least until I get my claws on her!” “You mean we get to feast on the other one?” asked Ruby, licking her sensuous lips. “Oh absolutely!” said Kitten, “It will make a wonderful demonstration for the other one, as to the penalty for disobedience!” “Oooh, Mistress!” said Jade, “You have a delicious sense of the dramatic!” “Thank you, my dear!” said Kitten, “Now you must stalk and observe both of them and choose the right time to take these beauties. They must both be brought to me at the same time!”

“As you wish, Mistress.” said Ruby. “Who are they and where can we find our intended prey?” asked Jade. One of them is named Agent Darcy Weaver codenamed Lodestone.” Kitten explained, “She has medium range magnetic field powers, but she is extremely vulnerable to hypnosis. She will be no problem for you.” “And the other?” asked Ruby. “Ah, she is the prize!” said Kitten, “She will not be easy prey. Her name is Mona Lisa Calderone, the one called Psychlone.” Ruby and Jade looked at each other nervously. “What’s the matter, my sharp-clawed sisters? Don’t like a challenge?” asked Kitten smiling, “Relax, girls! I’ve got this covered! I’ve purchased a little insurance that will not only get you in striking range of her, but make you totally impervious to her psychic powers!”

“Gee, I don’t know, Mistress.” said Jade, “Isn’t she the one you said was the most powerful telepath you’d ever met?” Kitten leaned over and stroked the PussyKats under their chins and said softly, “Don’t fret my kittens! I would never expose you to threats I didn’t think you were ready for!” Kitten sat back in her large throne-like chair and said, “Besides, the technology that has come into my possession can thwart any type of psychic or telepathic attack or defense! I promise she’ll never lay a finger on you. Now, run along and get ready to leave! You start your stalk tonight!” Jade and Ruby stood and bowed reverently and left giddy with excitement. Kitten thought, “In just a few short days, I will have the most lethal weapon against SHADOW they have ever experienced! Then my revenge will begin in earnest and Hawkins will be at my mercy, as will my little Foxy!”

TO BE CONTINUED …in Episode III: A Cat in Sheep’s Clothing!

[superpics4les]

Here are a few more HM images of characters in this episode. 8)

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I forgot to post these pics with the last update. Sorry. Next update will be posted soon! Enjoy! 8)

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Hey folks! Here's the next installment! Enjoy! 8)

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Episode III: A Cat in Sheep’s Clothing


SHADOW HQ – Omega Prime’s quarters…

Omega Prime, commander of Omega Section and Colonel Foxxe’s mentor, sat and listened attentively as Foxxe told her everything that had been transpiring in the last few months. Omega knew much of what she spoke about, but the informal de-briefing filled in the gaps in her information. After Foxxe had finished, Omega sat back in her easy chair and rubbed her chin. Foxxe knew from experience that this situation had her stumped. “So, L’ah D’oshe, what do you think?” asked Foxxe. “Well, L’dora, we need to know how Kitten is getting her information.” said Omega, “She seems to know our personnel almost as well as we do!” “Do you think there is a spy amongst us, Master?” asked Foxxe. “No, probably not yet, L’dora.” replied Omega, “If there were Calderone would have sniffed her out by now. Although, that would be my next move, if I were Kitten!” “To get someone on the inside.” said Foxxe. “Yes, I would watch the operatives that have access to the outside very carefully, L’dora.” cautioned Omega, “They could be compromised. Calderone said that Kitten’s mind is very powerful. Someone untrained or unaware could fall under her spell quite easily!”

“Master, I just had a scary thought.” said Foxxe, “What if she’s using a list of operatives with off-base residences! Those seem to be the ones that are being killed!” “Then that would tell us two things, Foxxe.” replied Omega, “One, she doesn’t know precisely where SHADOW HQ is…yet! Two, she’s going to capture or kill whoever is left on that list!” “CELIA! I need you!” shouted Foxxe. CELIA’s lovely image appeared and said, “What can I do for you, Colonel?” “I need a readout on all SHADOW operatives that have off-base housing…and fast!” Foxxe answered. “Working…” said CELIA, “There are 8 operatives with such accommodations, Colonel.” “How many of them in Omega and Gamma Sections?” asked Foxxe. “5 members, Colonel” CELIA replied. “How many were involved in the CLAW affair?” asked Foxxe, narrowing the list. “2 operatives, Colonel” she replied, “Shall I display them?” “Yes, CELIA.” Foxxe said. “On screen, ma’am.” said CELIA.

On Omega’s large screen, appeared two records. One was for Darcy Weaver. Foxxe recommended her for field agent duty after she tackled the Cat Demon through the window during their fight at the condo of Joyce Ortega-Robinson, making it possible to free Robinson from the demon’s influence. She had since been moved to Omega Section under the code name Lodestone, for her magnetic powers. The other record was for Mona Lisa Calderone codenamed Psychlone. “Oh my God! CELIA, get Mona and Darcy online now!” ordered Foxxe. “Connecting…” answered CELIA. “Hello?” It was Darcy. “Darcy? This is Colonel Foxxe! Get back to the base immediately! This is an Ultraviolet priority recall! Do you read?” “Yes, ma’am!” replied Darcy, “On my way!” Mona’s phone didn’t answer, so Foxxe decided to use the direct approach.

Foxxe sat down and concentrated fully on Mona. Somehow she knew she would reach her. “Mona!” she called out psychically, “Mona, answer me please!” “Colonel? How are you doing this? How did you reach my mind?” asked Mona. “Never mind that now!” Foxxe shot back, “This is an Ultraviolet priority recall! Return to base immediately! Acknowledge!” “Confirmed! On my way!” replied Mona, “Calderone, out!” “Well, they’re on their way, L’ah D’oshe!” said Foxxe, “I just hope we warned them in time!” “So do I, L’dora, so do I!” said Omega.

*****

Meanwhile, at Captain Calderone’s apartment building…

Mona was just getting off the elevator heading toward the lobby of her apartment building when she got Colonel Foxxe’s psychic call. She turned around and ran back to the elevator to go up and change into her uniform before reporting in. Sure, it was an Ultraviolet priority recall, but she wanted to be ready for action. Mona got on the elevator and pressed the button for the 21st floor. As the car started to move, she felt uneasy, as if someone were watching her. She was right. Jade drew the short straw and was chosen to go after Mona, while Ruby was going for Darcy. Jade watched Mona for several hours, but decided it was time to make her capture move after she intercepted part of Colonel Foxxe’s psychic message. As the elevator car was leaving the 5th floor for the 6th, it suddenly jerked to a halt between the two floors.

“Oh, great!” said Mona, “Now the Colonel will really ream my butt for being late!” She picked up the emergency phone to call Benny, the building security guard, but the phone just rang repeatedly with no answer from Benny. Benny was indeed sitting in his usual place, right at his post…dead. Jade decided to have a little snack before taking Mona, to keep from being tempted to kill her, and Benny was it. She made her kill and drained him quickly and quietly. She then propped him up in his chair facing the monitors so that he would look like he was working intently, as always.

Jade silently opened the maintenance hatch on the roof of the car. Her green eyes glowed with excitement. Jade chose the elevator as a strike point because although the psionic cyber web headgear that Kitten gave her and Ruby to wear would stop any type of psionic attack by Mona, she could still move things around by telekinesis (TK) and there were fewer objects to move in the elevator car. Jade smiled as she silently moved down closer to her prey. Then, with one lightning movement, “MMREEOWRR!” Jade fell on Mona, wrapping her sleek, powerful green hose clad legs around her neck and began strangling her. Mona could barely breathe much less concentrate enough to use TK to rip the rails off the walls of the car as she wanted to. She tried to invade Jade’s mind, but something blocked her attempts. Mona was quickly running out of oxygen to her brain and tried augmenting her own physical strength with her TK abilities, but Jade’s cat-like physique was too powerful for her fading strength.

After struggling violently for 7 minutes, Mona finally passed out. Jade placed the five psionic dampening electrodes on Mona’s head that Kitten had provided her with so that if she did manage to awaken on the trip back, she wouldn’t be able to use her considerable psychic gifts. Jade reached into a small pocket in her tied on sash and retrieved a small bottle. She removed the cap, dipped a claw into it and gently scratched Mona under the chin, from one ear to the other. Jade replaced the cap on the bottle and purred as she put it away. “There!” she said with a smile, “The Mistress says that little drug should keep you out for quite a while. When you awaken, you’ll be her guest! I think she’s got some mighty fine plans for you cutie-pie, Mmmm, mighty fine!”


At the same time, across town…

Ruby was already in Darcy Weaver’s apartment when the recall message came in. Ruby was waiting in her closet standing right next to a secret spot where her SHADOW uniform was stored. Ruby just smiled, crouched and waited. Darcy hung up the phone and raced to her closet. As soon as she opened the door, “MRROWRR!” Ruby pounced on her and held her arms in a grip of steel. Darcy tried to scream, but it was no use. Ruby had swiftly locked in a sleeper hold on Darcy’s head and neck, tightening it every second. She also pinned Darcy’s arms to her sides with her sleek hosed legs, holding her completely immobile. “God, she’s strong! Got to…break this…hold! Otherwise…I’m a…goner!” Darcy thought, “One chance…razor blade…on the…dresser! Think…I’ve got…just enough…power to…move it!” Using her last ounce of mental strength, Lodestone’s (Darcy’s) eyes glowed blue as she used her magnetic powers to lift the small metal blade and sent it speeding at Ruby’s head. Unfortunately for Darcy, Ruby spotted the flying object and ducked just in time.

It did, however, clip the very tip of her right ear clean off before embedding itself in the wall next to the closet. “OWWWW! GRROWRRR! I’ll make you pay for that, you little tramp!” snarled Ruby, “The Mistress will give you to us soon enough and I’m gonna rip you nice and slow, savoring every scream! Until then, my pretty prey, nighty-night!” Ruby increased the pressure on her sleeper hold until Darcy went under. She then followed the same procedure as Jade in scratching the KO drug into her system for the trip to Kitten’s lair. The two cat-girls met on the road to the hideaway, carrying their prey and talked about how good Darcy smelled, how they couldn’t wait for their treat that was soon to come.

*****

An hour later, at SHADOW HQ…

Colonel Foxxe paced back and forth in her office waiting for Weaver and Calderone to check in. “CELIA?” she asked. “Still no word from either of them, Colonel.” said CELIA. “Send out an SRT (Stealth Recon Team) to each domicile.” ordered Foxxe, “And monitor all law enforcement and emergency broadcasts for mysterious deaths.” “Already doing so, Colonel.” replied CELIA, “Teams dispatched.” “Thank you, CELIA.” said Foxxe, “That will be all.” “Very good, Colonel.” said CELIA, her holographic image fading away. “God, I hope they’re still alive!” thought Foxxe, “All we can do now, is wait!”

A few minutes later, Foxxe and Major Ravenwing were sitting in the Colonel’s office waiting for word from the recon teams, when the comm panel beeped on Foxxe’s desk. She ran to it, sat down, pressed the button and said, “Foxxe, here. Go ahead.” “Recon Team Alpha at Captain Calderone’s, here. Sgt. Skyler, reporting.” the voice said, “The building security guard’s dead, mauled by some kind of animal, and…well, his blood’s been drained, ma’am. The Captain’s apartment is empty, no sign of a struggle, but there’s one weird thing ma’am.” “What is it, Sergeant?” asked Foxxe. The elevator inexplicably went out of service and as a precaution we checked it. The control box has been clawed, ripped out and we found black heel marks on the floor and walls that look pretty recent. If she’s been taken, this is most likely where it happened.”

“Excellent work, Sergeant. Collect any physical evidence you can and come on home.” said Foxxe. “Thank you Colonel, will do. Skyler, out.” said the recon leader. The next moment, the comm device beeped again with a message from the other team. “Recon Team Delta, here, Colonel. 1st Sgt. Rivera reporting.” said the voice. “I hope you have some good news, Sergeant.” said Foxxe. “No ma’am, I’m afraid not.” said Rivera, “There are definite signs of a struggle and some…curious organic evidence!” “Curious? How so?” asked Foxxe. “Our sci-tech says it’s probably a tiny part of an ear.” said Rivera, “She’s bagging and tagging it now. It looks like Agent Weaver used a razor blade on who or whatever attacked her. It’s still embedded in the wall. We’re bringing that back too, as well as a piece of carpet with some blood on it. It’s not registering as completely human, so we think it’s from Weaver’s assailant.”

Foxxe smiled and said, “That sounds like Weaver, she’s tough! Excellent job, 1st Sergeant. Bring your team back home.” said Foxxe. “Yes, ma’am! Thank you, Colonel! Rivera out.” she said, closing the comm channel. “Well, Kitten’s got both of them now!” said Ravenwing, “What do we do?” Foxxe slumped back in her chair and said, “We wait, Gray.” “Wait?? For what?” asked Gray. “For Kitten to call.” said Foxxe calmly, “Her ego is way out of whack right now! She’ll call to gloat over how easily she’s trapping and killing our people. That’s when we’ll track her down, Gray! Who’s our best telepath besides Mona?” “Let me think…that would be Senior Agent Tara Monroe of Alpha Section.” said Major Ravenwing, “She’s almost as powerful as Mona, but she just missed her scores by a few points. She’s been doing a really good job over at Alpha Section in search and rescue.” “I’ll call Alpha Prime and have her sent over immediately!” said Foxxe.

Just then the door signal sounded. Foxxe said, “Come!” Through the door strode a lovely young redhead wearing a black and red full face mask, which exposed only her nose, mouth and eyes, a Gamma Section top, a yellow and black striped bikini bottom and shimmering red hose. It was Lieutenant K’anu Zzornz, codenamed Killer Bee. Zzornz walked over in front of Colonel Foxxe, gave a smart salute and said, “Lt. K’anu Zzornz, reporting for duty, Colonel!” Foxxe stood and returning the salute said, “Good to see you, K’anu. Stand at ease. How was the trip over?” “We had a little trouble with the FTL (Faster Than Light) drive system, but on the whole it was uneventful, Colonel. May I assume my duties?” asked K’anu. “Before you do that, the General would like to speak with you.”

“As long as it is brief, Colonel! The T’Kelmak calls to me. The Blood Path cannot be ignored!” said K’anu. “Neither can the General’s orders, Lieutenant!” said Foxxe in a commanding tone, walking around her desk toward K’anu, “Let’s get one thing straight, bee-girl! You’re here because I greatly respected your younger sister and I heard her last breath! I want vengeance for her as well! But make no mistake, this is an operation like any other and we will do this by the numbers! I will not have any unauthorized missions outside this base. This killer alley-cat has murdered or kidnapped SHADOW personnel with years of experience and I’m not going to have you running off half-cocked on some lone wolf vendetta! We will get her, but we will do it together! Are we clear, Lieutenant??” “But Colonel…” started K’anu. “ARE WE CLEAR???” shouted Foxxe, now standing 5 inches directly in front of her. “Yes, ma’am!!” said K’anu, standing at attention.

“Glad to hear it! Because if I ever hear otherwise, I’ll kick your butt so hard, you won’t need a starship to get back to the Krellan Federation! DO YOU GET ME??” shouted Foxxe. “YES, MA’AM!!” replied K’anu. “DISMISSED!!” yelled Foxxe. K’anu saluted and exited the Colonel’s office in short order. “Whew!” said Grayson, “I thought The ShadowFox was going to pop out and eat her, the way you were going on!” “Over the top?” asked Foxxe smiling. “You weren’t serious?” asked Ravenwing. “Of course I was, but I needed to do it that way because Krellan warriors are like wolves. If you show the slightest fear or reservation, they’ll sense it and never respect your orders! I hate doing that but it’s sometimes necessary.”

In the hallway, K’anu walked briskly down the corridor, ignoring the frequent stares she received as she made her way to the quarters assigned to her. As she arrived and opened the door, she was surprised by the size of her room. She was also surprised that she didn’t have a roommate. The Gamma Girls usually had special treatment due to the danger level of their assignments. The size of their quarters was an extra perk. K’anu sat down on the couch and removed her mask. She thought for a moment, about home, her mission and the Blood Path. It was then that she began to weep. She truly missed her sister. The day she saw her off to the Terran system was one of the proudest moments in her life. Her sorrow turned to anger and rage as she thought of getting her hands around Kitten’s throat.

Just then CELIA’s hologram appeared and said, “Pardon the intrusion, Lt. Zzornz.” “Who the…Oh, its you.” she replied, quickly wiping tears from her face, “Yes CELIA, what is it?” “Sorry, I didn’t mean to startle you, Lieutenant.” said CELIA, “The General would like to see you tomorrow at 0730 hours. Shall I say you’ll be there?” “Absolutely, I look forward to meeting him.” K’anu replied. “Excellent. I will relay your message.” said CELIA, “Good Afternoon, Lieutenant.” “Thank you, CELIA.” After a short bow, CELIA disappeared, leaving K’anu to her musings again. She smiled and thought, “Well, at least I won’t have to kill Colonel Foxxe! If she was as weak-minded as most Terran females, she would have shared Kitten’s fate. If she was that weak, she probably would have left her behind to save her own skin, but I see that she is not this way. I like her. I think I will enjoy serving under her. I may ask to stay if the Blood Path doesn’t make me break too many of their rules!”

*****

Elsewhere in Denver, CO…

C.K. Hawkins had been in a virtual blue funk for days. After their night of unbridled passion, he eagerly wanted to see Kat the next day, but she didn’t show up for work. He thought it odd, but dismissed it, as just being busy with other personal business. Kat didn’t seem to sleep at all during the night he stayed with her and she was gone early the next morning, but left him a note that she would see him at the lab. He didn’t really become concerned until she didn’t return any of his calls that day and was a no-show for a second day in a row.

After the fourth day, Dr. Kenner mentioned how unlike Kat this was and asked C.K. if he would stop by her place and see if she was all right. He said he would do it that afternoon. After C.K. had left the facility, Dr. Kenner placed a call. When the party answered, Dr. Kenner said, “Mistress, he’s on his way there now. So, if I may ask, when do I get paid?” “Have you checked your Swiss account lately, Doctor?” said the sexy female voice. “No, not yet. Please hold a moment.” he replied. “Certainly, take your time.” she said.

Dr. Kenner went to the Stenzel Bank website, entered his ID and password and checked his balance. It was $3,000,000. His employer had paid him in full. He returned to the phone and the Mistress asked, “Is everything satisfactory, Paul?” “Oh, yes quite so!” said Kenner, “It was a pleasure doing business with you, Mistress!” “And you as well.” she said, her smile evident through the telephone, “By the way, I understand you’ve been recording our conversations.” Kenner gulped and explained that it was only a precaution in case he wasn’t paid and that now he would certainly destroy them completely.

“You know Doctor, I wish I was allowed to trust you, but since you betrayed General Hawkins, your long time friend and poor C.K., I really don’t think I can.” replied the Mistress, “I’m truly sorry, Paul, but I’m afraid you won’t get the chance to spend the cash I gave you.” “You can’t kill me.” he responded smiling, “You have no idea where the tapes are or who I’ve told about our little deal…Kitten!” Kitten laughed and said, “I wondered when you were going to drop this ‘Mistress’ thing, Paul! I knew about your cache of tapes and the fact that you told your male paramour, Jason, about our deal! Incidentally, he’s dead already, but not before he told us everything about your little scheme! I can be quite persuasive, you know!”

“I’m sure. So what happens now, Kitten?” asked Kenner dejectedly. “Now my associate Jade will kill you, Doctor.” said Kitten calmly. “How? This is a military controlled facility! I’m safe in here even from you!” said Kenner confidently. Kitten laughed loudly and said, “Jade darling, close the door. You don’t want to be disturbed, do you?” The door to Kenner’s office slammed shut and the deadbolt turned locking him in. “NO! It can’t be!” exclaimed Kenner. “Yes, it can!” said Jade as she de-cloaked herself. Kenner looked at the ravishing cat-girl in abject horror, his mouth agape with fear. Jade hissed loudly and slinked toward the seated scholar. He prepared to scream, but Jade pounced upon him too quickly and clawed his larynx to keep him from crying out.

Jade decided not to claw him to death, only until he no longer struggled. She simply snapped the arms off the high backed office chair, straddled him in it, sank her fangs into his jugular and slowly drained his blood as Kitten gleefully listened over the speakerphone. After she was finished, Jade did as Kitten instructed her and put Kenner’s body in the particle accelerator target area. She fired the beam and vaporized it completely, leaving no traces. Jade then re-cloaked herself and left purring gloriously, a very satisfied PussyKat.

*****

Across town, outside Kat’s apartment building…

C.K. kept his promise and went to check on Kat. He buzzed her apartment several times, but there was no answer. Now he was really worried and pulled out his cell phone to call the police and report her missing. Just then, a drop dead gorgeous Latina drove up to him in a burgundy Lamborghini Diablo. She smiled and said, “You must be C.K.” Flabbergasted, C.K. said,”Uh, yes…Yes, I am! Who may I ask are you and how do you know me?” The breath-taking Latina, dressed in a tight sleeveless red leather mini-dress giggled and said, “Kat described you when she sent me to bring you to her house.”

“House? Hmmm, well, I’ve never been sent for by a girl before, but I think I like it!” said C.K. with a wide grin, “Especially since the lady has such marvelous taste in drivers!” The girl smiled and said, “Kat told me you were a charmer, she was right! Hop in stud-muffin, let Ruby take you for a ride!” “Sounds good to me!” said C.K., getting into the $300,000 pasta rocket. C.K. noticed that her fabulous legs were clad in the sheerest, shiniest off black hose her had ever seen and she was driving without shoes, her perfectly polished toenails glistening dark red.

“Hold on tight, baby, it’s time to fly!” said Ruby, as she peeled off onto the street. After a few minutes of Ruby’s death-defying driving, C.K. was feeling a little edgy. “What’s the matter, sweets?” said Ruby as she screamed down the street at 75 mph, “My driving making you nervous?” “A little, yes!” replied C.K., uttering the understatement of the decade. “Here baby, have a drink.” said Ruby pushing a button, causing a mini-bar to appear, “It might help calm your nerves.”

“Good idea, thanks!” said C.K. He poured himself a stiff Jack Daniel’s on the rocks and sipped it as Ruby continued to move at tremendously unsafe speeds. As he finished his drink, he noticed that he felt drowsy. Soon his eyes became extremely heavy and he said, “I feel…sleepy. Wh…whass…happening…to me? Can’t…stay…awake!” C.K. dropped his glass and passed out. Ruby picked up the car’s built in cell phone, called the lair and said, “The chloral hydrate worked purrrfectly, Mistress! The baby is asleep. When he awakens, he’ll be in your arms!” “Well done, my little PussyKat!” said Kitten, “Bring my lover to me, I need a little exercise! Rrrowrr!”

Kitten hung up the phone and left the large oak paneled study. She softly padded down the hallway to a suit of armor in the corner at the end. Kitten pulled down its left arm and a thick stone door swung open in what appeared seconds before to be a solid stone block wall!

“Just like in the movies!” Kitten giggled. She went into the dark passage and the door closed behind her. A winding stone staircase led her deeper and deeper into the dank catacombs of the estate. Kitten finally reached her destination, a dimly lit passageway with a very high ceiling and a number of rooms with ancient looking thick wooden doors with sliding viewing ports. Kitten slinked down the hall, to the door at the end and punched in the entry code on the recently installed key pad. The locking device released, the door popped open and she entered shutting it behind her.

Inside, her cat’s eyes cut through the darkness and she smiled. Mona was still unconscious from the drug she had been given by Jade, but she was beginning to stir. After waiting a few moments for Mona’s lovely eyes to open, Kitten said, “Welcome to my little playroom, Mona! I’m so happy you were kind enough to accept my invitation!” Mona looked out into the pitch darkness and saw nothing. She could feel that she was chained to a cold stone wall with her arms above her head and she could also tell that the room was fairly large from the echo of Kitten’s voice, but that was all. “Very funny! I’m sure it took days for your fiendish little mind come up with that piece of malarkey!” said Mona defiantly, “You’ll be sorry you did this Kitten!” She concentrated to mind blast Kitten and the most incredible, intense, white-hot pain she had ever experienced shot through her entire nervous system. Mona screamed, her cry of anguish echoing through the large, dark room.

Kitten laughed and her big green eyes glowed, giving Mona an indication as to her location in the room. “I wouldn’t try that again, my dear.” Kitten said tauntingly, “Unless you enjoyed the experience of my little toy!” “What did you do to me??” cried Mona, “What is this thing??” “Oh, I’m sorry!” said Kitten, “I forgot you can’t see in the dark, can you? Computer, lights!” At Kitten’s command, the track lights in the chamber came on, momentarily blinding Mona, as one of them was trained directly on her. As her vision cleared, Mona could see a varied assortment of torture instruments, causing her to tremble slightly, considering her situation. She also saw a sophisticated technological device, one that she recognized as a psionic wave inhibitor, but she had never seen one that was integrated with a neural energy discharge device. It was the product of truly diabolical genius.

Kitten emerged from the shadows, allowing Mona to be the first member of SHADOW to see her full grown form. Mona’s jaw dropped as she looked at her and said, “Kitten?” “Yes, my darling Mona.” she said with an evil grin, “I’ve grown since you saw me last, haven’t I Tinkerbell? Now I am invincible!” Mona replied, “You know, if I had a nickel for every time I heard that from one of you twisted fiends, I’d be one of the richest women on Earth! If you’re so invincible, why don’t you take this little toy of yours off me?” “I said I’m invincible, not stupid!” said Kitten, her eyes glowing, “Mona, you’re one of, if not the most powerful psionics I’ve ever seen! Why would I give you access to your most potent weapon?”

“Well, go ahead and kill me then!” said Mona, “What are you waiting for?” Kitten laughed and replied, “Mona dear, if all I wanted was your death, do you think I would have spent a couple of million on this psionic dampener technology? If that was all I wanted, I could have just had Jade claw you, drain you and spread your innards all over the elevator where she captured you! “I kinda thought it was overkill at that!” said Mona matter-of-factly, “Alright then, I you’re not after my blood and flesh, what do you want?” Kitten walked over to Mona and put her nose about 4 inches from hers and said, “I’m going to destroy SHADOW from the inside and you’re going to help me, pumpkin!”

Mona actually couldn’t hold it in. She erupted into hysterical laughter and said, “You’ve got a snowball’s chance in hell, of me ever helping you to do that! You really are certifiable! You might as well kill me now and have done with it!” Kitten uttered a leopard-like growl, grabbed Mona by the hair on the back of her head, bared her throat and sank her needle sharp fangs in her throat. Mona cried out because of the painful bite and resigned herself that she was going to die. Surprisingly, Kitten stopped sucking on her jugular after only a few seconds and licked the wound closed, which healed almost instantly. “Did you enjoy that, baby?” asked Kitten. “Hell, no!” protested Mona, spitting on the ground, “Not only was it painful, but it was disgusting having that mouth of yours touch me and then you licking my throat? Yuck!!”

Kitten replied, “I’m glad you said that, sweetie! Because that way I can tell if you’re faking or not! Very soon now, you’re not only going to relish my tasting you, you’re going to beg me to do it!” “NEVER!!” shouted Mona, “There’s nothing that you can do with this room full of tricks and toys that will make me do that!” “You’re right.” said Kitten, “Nothing I can do to you physically will make you capitulate like that and turn you into my slave, but this will!” Kitten’s eyes glowed for a moment and burned into Mona’s. Mona laughed and said, “You can’t hypnotize me into betraying SHADOW, you stupid alley-cat! Even without my powers, I can resist hypnosis, no matter how strong your mind is!” “I know that Mona.” said Kitten flashing her evil smile, “I’m not trying to hypnotize you, I’m going to claw you!” “You know I can resist your claws, you foolish feline!” taunted Mona.

“Oh, I’m not going to claw your body, Tinkerbell.” purred Kitten softly, “I’m going to claw your MIND!” Suddenly, Mona felt something she’d never experienced before. Something tore at her psyche, ripping not only at her control or reason, but at her personality, at her very soul. The pain she felt from the psionic inhibitor/neural energy discharge was like being touched with a feather compared to this. Mona screeched with such agony that Kitten almost felt sorry for her…almost. Kitten struck with her “mind claws” 3 more times before she stopped. She came close to Mona and wiped her tears from her face. Kitten placed her hands on the cold stone wall on either side of Mona’s head and rubbed her cheek with her own, purring softly. “Now, do think you want to do what I desire, Tinkerbell, hmm?” asked Kitten. She ceased rubbing her cheek and looked into her eyes, smiling devilishly. The defiant Italian-American young woman, with tears in her eyes, hawked up a wicked lougie and spat it directly in her left eye. Kitten wiped the warm mucus from her eye and flew into a rage. She roared and slashed Mona with her razored claws several times before stopping when the intercom beeped.

She answered it and Jade told her that Ruby had arrived with her “package” and placed it in the master bedroom. Kitten went back over to Mona and said, “Despite your defiant nature, I’m sure you’ll come around to my way of thinking very soon.” Kitten went to the door and entered the unlock code. As the door popped open, she turned toward Mona and said, “By the way, in case you think you’re getting a rest because I’m leaving to rock my man’s world, think again. I’ve trained a part of my ‘fiendish little mind’ as you called it, to keep clawing you even when I’m not physically here. Have a nice evening, Tinkerbell!” Mona’s eyes widened as Kitten’s psychic claws ripped into her mind again. Mona’s screams echoed throughout the secret hallway as Kitten laughed while ascending the stairs.

Kitten reached the top of the winding stone staircase and opened & closed the secret door. She returned to the study, where Jade and Ruby were waiting for her. They rushed to her and embraced her like two children who hadn’t seen their mother all day. Kitten smiled and kissed them both on their foreheads, petting and caressing them. “Well done, girls!” said Kitten praising them, “I’m so proud of you both!” They both purred rubbing their cheeks on her ample bosom. “Now I have to get ready for C.K.” she told the PussyKats. They stood back as she concentrated and transformed into Kat, wearing the same outfit she did when she and C.K. first met. “After we make love one more time, he’ll be all mine, body and soul!” she said admiring herself in the full length floor mirror, “Then we’ll bring Panther and Cyclops here for a nice dinner…as the main course!” Kitten and her PussyKats laughed with evil glee as she contemplated the next step in her plan of ultimate revenge.

TO BE CONTINUED…in Episode IV: “…A Dish Best Served Cold.”

[superpics4les]

Here's the next installment! I hope somebody's enjoying this as much as I am! 8) If you are, let me hear from you!

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Episode IV: “…A Dish Best Served Cold.”

The Master Bedroom of Kitten’s Hideaway…

C.K. Hawkins stirred and then grabbed his head before opening his eyes. His head was splitting like cord wood. C.K. opened his eyes and thought he was still dreaming. The bedroom he was in was luxuriously decorated with purple and gold and animal prints, mixed together in a tasteful tableau which seemed to scream opulence. Suddenly, the gilded double doors opened and three of the most splendid examples of feminine pulchritude gracefully entered. To the right, was Ruby, in her red leather mini-dress, still sensuously shoeless; To the left, was a gorgeous blonde, her shimmering golden hair falling to her shoulders, wearing a tight leather mini-dress like Ruby’s except green, her shapely legs and shoeless feet clad in shimmering green hose; And in the middle was Kat wearing the same black outfit she was wearing when C.K. first met her.

“Hello, lover.” she purred, “How are you feeling?” “Kat! Where have you been?” he said trying to get up, “I’ve been worried sick about you!” “I’m sorry, baby!” said Kat apologetically, “Some pressing family business came up. I didn’t have time to let you know where I’d be. Please forgive me.” C.K. managed to get to his feet and walked over to Kat and held her tightly. “It’s OK. There’s nothing to forgive,” said C.K., “I was just concerned about you. I wanted to see you again.” Kat smiled and rubbed her cheek on his chest, holding him as well. “Who are your friends?” asked C.K. “Oh, I’m so sorry!” said Kat, “Allow me to introduce Jade and I think you already know Ruby.” Oh yeah, I know Ruby!” said C.K., “She should be driving for NASCAR!”

Kat, Jade and Ruby burst out laughing. C.K. laughed also, but soon stopped and grabbed his head again. “Baby, you OK?” asked Kat. “Yeah, I think so.” said C.K., “Jack Daniels has never hit me this hard before!” “Maybe you should lie down again, sweetheart.” said Kat with a smile, “Girls, leave us, please.” “Yes, Mistress.” they both said in unison and left closing the gilded doors behind them. “OK, what’s with all this ‘Mistress’ stuff? What the heck is going on, Kat?” asked C.K. Kat doffed her boots and joined C.K. on the bed. She began massaging his temples. “How’s your head now?” asked Kat. “Better, but you still haven’t answered my question.” said C.K., “What is all this? Is all this yours?” “Yes, C.K., it is. Does that change things between us?” asked Kat raising a bushy eyebrow. “Not really.” said C.K., “I just need an explanation.”

Kat explained that her father was a gold trader on the largest of scales. That he moved gold in huge quantities and she had to hide her identity to protect herself from unscrupulous individuals who might try to kidnap her and hold her for billions in ransom. She also explained that Ruby and Jade were her personal bodyguards and were extremely dangerous. “So you’re a gold heiress, huh?” asked C.K., “But, why the job cover?” “So I could blend in, disappear and go unnoticed.” said Kat. C.K. smiled and said, “Not with legs like those, babycakes!” Kat laughed and kissed him passionately. He put his arms around her and continued the kiss. Kat rolled on top of him looked deeply into his eyes.

Suddenly, a flood of images deluged his mind. Images of bloodletting, savage claws ripping flesh, fangs sinking into soft throats, images of violent deaths without number. The horror of it was too much for C.K.’s psyche. He screamed and passed out. Ruby and Jade burst into the room thinking that their mistress had decided to torture C.K. and they didn’t want to miss anything. “What happened?” asked Ruby. “I don’t know. I just looked into his eyes and he screamed as if he were terrified to the core of his soul and passed out!” said Kat. “Hold on a second!” she said. Kat shape shifted into Kitten and looked at C.K., her eyes glowing brightly. The green glow from her eyes bathed C.K.’s face as she scanned his mind. “Oh, wow!” said Kitten, “I don’t believe it! He’s a telepath! I think he’s almost as strong as Mona, maybe stronger and he doesn’t even know it!”

Kitten laughed and said, “Oh my precious PussyKats, we have hit the jackpot! Not only will I have my revenge on General Hawkins and SHADOW, but I’ll bring his headquarters crashing down on his head with the TK power resident in his own son! I’ll screw up his head so badly that he’ll think his father is the most evil man on planet Earth, who’s trying to kill the love of his life! He’ll do anything for me, including murder his own father! HAHAHAHAHA!”

*****

At the same time, in Milan, Italy…

Alva De Ciccio-Hawkins woke with a scream. The horror and fear she felt in the psionic contact with her son was more powerful than anything she had ever experienced before. She knew it was time to tell his father the secret she had held away from him for the past 10 years. Alva’s shaking hand reached out for the phone and dialed a special number she had been given in case of emergencies with C.K. and this was such a time. The phone rang and she could hear connections being made and scramblers going on. Suddenly a pleasant voice said, “General Hawkins office, how may I help you?” “Yes, I need to speak with the General it is urgent!” said Alva. “Ms. Hawkins, I am instructed to ask, is it concerning C.K.?” asked the voice. “Yes, it is indeed.” Alva replied. “One moment, I’ll connect you.” said the voice.

After nearly a full minute, the gruff voice of Major General Ken Hawkins came on the phone. “All right, Alva, this had better be important!” he said, “I know what you’ve been doing to me all these years, using mutant psionic power on me! I will never forgive you for that, Alva!” “Please Hawk, just listen to me!” she pleaded, “I know I can’t possibly be forgiven for what I’ve done to you, but C.K. is in grave danger!” “How do you know that?” he asked. “Because from the moment of his birth, I’ve had a psychic connection with our son.” Alva explained, “That’s how I could quiet him so quickly when he was an infant. I could reach inside his psyche and truly know what he wanted because I could see the picture of the thing in his mind.”

Alva continued, “Ever since puberty his powers have been growing and his latent psionic abilities have begun to assert themselves, but now his full power has been released and he doesn’t know how to control it!” “What could have triggered this change, Alva? Do you know?” asked the General. “Probably the same thing that triggered mine: mind blowing, spectacular sexual intercourse!” she said, “He must have finally found someone that made him feel like he had touched heaven and now his psi-abilities are completely activated!” “You mean fulfilling sex activates latent psionic power?” asked Hawkins. “Not always Hawk, dear.” Alva said laughing, “Any type of overwhelming emotional activity can trigger the release of full power when it’s ready to come forth, but since that’s how it happened with me, I kind of figured that’s what would happen with C.K.”

“Your powers activated with that kind of sex?” he asked. “Oh, yes!” Alva replied with enthusiasm. “So at what age did yours come to fruition, Alva?” “Oh, about 21 years old!” she answered. “But that’s when…OH NO!” said Hawkins. “Si, Mi amore, on our wedding night!” she laughed, “You rocked my world so hard that you released my full telepathic talents, Hawk! My life hasn’t been the same since! Why do you think I keep trying to win you back? You’re a tough act to follow!” “I appreciate the complement, Alva, but why do you think C.K. is in danger?” asked Hawkins, changing the subject. “Well, as I was sleeping I got an extremely strong psychic impression from C.K.” Alva explained, “It was the most horrific thing I’d ever experienced, Hawk! Images of claws, fangs and rivers of blood! I saw horrible, torturous death on a scale beyond human comprehension!”

“You said these images came from C.K.? Are you sure?” asked Hawkins. “Yes Hawk, I’m sure of it!” replied Alva. “Did you feel or sense anything else?” he asked. “Just that he seemed overwhelmed by the images, like they may have come at him all at once, a kind of ‘mind burst’, then nothing. He may have passed out.” she answered, “Wait a minute, there was one other thing, a pair of green eyes, large and cat-like, staring out of the darkness, right near the end of the vision. Hawk, what is it? Do you know something?” “One more question, Alva.” said Hawkins, “This is crucial. Do you think you can locate C.K., given your connection with him?” “I don’t know, Hawk! My abilities have always been hidden and as such undeveloped.” said Alva with panic in her voice, “Please Hawk, tell me what’s wrong! I’m his mother, I have a right to know!”

General Hawkins hesitated for a moment, then he said, “You’re right, Alva. You should know and you could even be of help for a change! I’ll discuss this at more length when you get here.” “Get where?” asked Alva. “Not over an open line. Just trust me.” he said with a smile, “Be at the Milan Malpensa International Airport in exactly one hour. I’ll arrange to have someone pick you up. Be sure to take your cell phone with you.” “But Hawk, there aren’t any…” Alva began. “Alva, just do it! You’ll see why later!” Hawkins said in exasperation. “OK, Hawk, OK!! I’ll be there!” she replied, “I take it this is going to be interesting, yes?” “Alva baby, you won’t believe your eyes!” said Hawkins with a smile and hung up.

“Is that who I think it was?” asked Frankie, softly caressing Hawkins’ shoulder. “Yeah, I think she may hold the key to finding Kitten.” replied Hawkins rolling over in bed to face her, “I think Kitten has…my son, Frankie.” “Oh no, Hawk!” said Frankie with a look of shock on her face, “Are you certain of this?” “Not entirely, but the psychic flash Alva received from him suggests that if she doesn’t have her claws on him yet, she will soon.” Hawkins replied. Frankie lifted his head and placed her hand on his cheek, saying, “We’ll find her, Hawk, I swear and if she’s harmed a single hair on his head, I’ll tear her into so many pieces, God himself might have difficulty putting her back together!” “Have I told you lately how much I love you?” asked Hawkins as he caressed her cheek softly. “Not in the last few minutes, Popi!” said Frankie grinning, her fangs glistening in the feeble lamplight, “I was beginning to feel neglected!”

“Well, I’ve got to place a call to make arrangements to have the ‘dragon lady’ picked up in Milan at the airport.” said Hawkins. “You’re really going to bring her here, to SHADOW HQ?” asked Frankie. Hawkins nodded and smiled. “Why?” she asked. “The psychic connection she has with my son, Frankie.” explained Hawkins, “Alva may not be able to use her talent well enough to trace him, but we have at least one telepath left who may be able to link her mind to Alva’s and use that bond to locate him. If…I mean, when we find C.K., I’d bet the farm we’ll find Kitten somewhere close by!”

*****

Later, at Kitten’s hideaway…

Kitten shape shifted back into Kat’s sexy form and put on something she thought would drive C.K. wild. When she finished dressing, she went back into the bedroom where C.K. was beginning to come to from the mind burst he received when he touched Kitten’s fiendish mind. Kat walked in wearing a pink silk robe, cinched at the waist. She lay down on the bed next to C.K. and gently nuzzled his neck trying to waken him fully. “Ohhhh…my head! What happened?” said C.K. groggily. “I don’t know, stud muffin.” Kat lied, “One minute I was looking in those sweet baby blues of yours, the next you were passed out again! Maybe you were just overwhelmed by my rampant sexuality, hmmm?” C.K. looked at her, laughed out loud, rolled his eyes and said, “Oh, brother! Are you having delusions of grandeur, or what?” “Well, I don’t know about that.” she purred, “You be the judge.”

Kat stood up from the bed and walked about 6 or 7 steps away. She then turned toward C.K. and cocked her head to one side and untied the silken sash about her waist, allowing the shiny silk robe to drop to the floor. C.K. thought his eyes would pop out of his head. Kat was wearing the tightest, sheerest shimmering nude bodystocking he had ever seen on a woman, with an opening right where it would do the most good! As incredible as her body had seemed to be naked, it was more exciting to him this way! The garment looked like the light of the sun had been wrapped around her luscious body and wouldn’t let go. When she moved, the very air around her seemed to glisten and sparkle. The only words that would come out of his mouth were, “Mary, Mother of God.”

Kat looked at him and said, “God’s not gonna have anything to do with what I’m gonna do to you now, lover!” C.K. swallowed hard. “The other night, I took it easy on you, baby.” purred Kat, “Now you’re in Kat’s lair. Now you’re all mine! I’ve been sharpening my claws for you, my little mouse! There’s no escape for you!” C.K. smiled as she slinked toward him, padding closer on her toes. “What are you going to …*gulp*…do to me?” he asked nervously. “What do cats usually do with trapped mice?” said Kat as she crawled slowly from the bottom of the bed, moving up his body, “I’m gonna toy with you, torture you with my claws, and then, when you can’t take anymore, I’m gonna eat you! Are you ready to begin?” “About as ready as I’m gonna be, being that I’m doomed!” said C.K. with a smile. “Very well then, my little mouse, here I come! Mmrrrowrrrr!” said Kat as she seized him, literally ripping his clothes off.

After two and half hours of the wildest foreplay and sex either of them had ever had, they were both dripping with sweat. Kat’s glorious bodystocking was clinging even tighter to her body than it was before from the sweat that was a mixture of hers and his, covering her from head to toe. They lay next to each other completely exhausted, but also completely euphoric. C.K. looked at Kat and smiled. She returned the smile. All of a sudden they both began to laugh. It started as just a giggle, and then it grew until it was almost hysterical. It was a full 2 minutes before the two lovers could compose themselves. Kat and C.K. held each other, not speaking for a little over 45 minutes, just listening to each other’s heart beating.

Kat/Kitten had never felt this loved or cherished. She found herself, for the first time since she came back to the Earth Realm, not thinking about her revenge, but only thinking that she didn’t want this feeling to end, ever. Suddenly, she heard her mother’s voice booming in her mind. “KITTEN, I NEED TO SPEAK WITH YOU, NOW!” Kat touched her head and rose to go to the master bath. “Sweetheart, are you alright?” asked C.K. “Yeah baby, I’m fine.” said Kat, “I just gotta go to the bathroom. I’ll be right back.” “Don’t stay away too long, Sugar Kitty.” said C.K., with a grin, “I might get lonesome and call Ruby in here!” “You do and I really will claw you, my little mouse, but good!” replied Kat with a grin as she entered the luxurious master bathroom.

When Kat had closed the door and sealed it with a noise canceling spell, she shape shifted into Kitten. The large mirror over the vanity table warped and Rileena, the Cat-Demon’s face formed in it. “Just what do you think you’re doing, young lady??” asked Rileena. “Mother, what ever do you mean?” replied Kitten. “Don’t play coy with me, Kitten. It won’t work!” said Rileena in a peevish voice, “I’m talking about your reactions because of that boy!” “He’s not a boy, Mother, he’s a man. A whole lotta man!” said Kitten defiantly, “And I think I’m going to keep him!” “That wasn’t part of your original plan, daughter.” said Rileena, raising an eyebrow, “You’re not going soft on me, are you?” Kitten grinned widely and said, “It’s more like he’s going hard on me, Mother dearest, and I still intend to use him to destroy his father, just in a different way!” Kitten explained to her mother, the newly emerged psionic ability that C.K. possessed and that neither he nor his father knew just how powerful that talent was, much less of its existence at all.

“I’m going to turn him slightly, Mother.” said Kitten with an evil grin, “Not enough to make him a cat-man, but just enough to make him my sexual slave forever! Then, he’ll obey anything I say just to have me! I’ll turn him into the instrument of the destruction of General Hawkins and SHADOW!” “Very well, child.” said Rileena, “But your father is growing impatient! He has duties for you that he wants you to perform! Don’t take too much longer! He wants you to be happy, but you are a Princess of the 8th Realm! You have responsibilities!” “Oh very well, Mother!” said Kitten slightly annoyed, “I’ll speed things up a little! Give father my love!” “I will. Kitten, it’s not a good thing to get on your father’s bad side!” said Rileena, “He can be most…unpleasant when he’s pissed! You don’t want to see it! It’s a very scary sight!” Kitten gulped and said, “I understand, Mother.” The Cat-Demon’s image faded and the mirror resumed its normal appearance.

Kitten shape shifted into Kat’s lovely form and returned to C.K.’s side. Kat climbed on top of him and asked, “Miss me?” “Nahhh! You weren’t gone long enough!” joked C.K. “Oooohh! I’m gonna make you pay for that one! Rrrawwrr!” she replied as she tried rake her nails on C.K. chest. C.K. caught her wrists, held her “claws” back, rolled her over and kissed her. Kat threw her arms around his neck and her legs around his body, as she returned his embrace. They ended the embrace with Kat lying in C.K.’s arms, licking and nuzzling his neck. “Your parents certainly chose the right name for you!” said C.K., “’Cause there are times I could swear I hear you purring!” Kat smiled and looked up at him, moving so that her face was directly over his.

Kat softly caressed his face and began to hum an eerie tune, purring as she did so. C.K. was a little alarmed at first, but then relaxed. Kat’s lovely green eyes began to glow softly as she weaved her hypnotic spell over C.K.’s mind and will. “C.K.?” she asked. “Yes, darling.” he replied. “Look at me, baby…look into my eyes…deeply into my eyes.” said Kat. C.K. opened his eyes and looked into her glowing green gaze. His eyes glazed over and the thrall was firmly in place. “Now, lover.” said Kat, “Listen carefully. You need my love to continue to exist. Your life is empty without my touch…my kiss…my sex. Do you understand?”

“Yes…need you…Can’t live…without you.” replied C.K. “Yes, that’s it! Now you’ve got it!” Kat said with a smile, “To keep me happy and in your arms, you would do anything…absolutely anything! Understand?” “Yes…do anything!” he replied. “Lie, cheat, steal…kill, anything I command!” she said, “Isn’t that so, my love?” “Yes…I love you…I will obey your every wish…worship you…anything to keep you happy!” C.K. said. “And suppose someone would try to hurt me, what would you do?” she asked. “I would protect…defend you…give my life for you, my love.” he replied. “What if they killed me?” she asked. “Then I would…k…kill them!” he said forcefully.

“No matter who it was? No matter what the reason?” Kat questioned. “It makes…no difference to me!” C.K. replied, “Your enemies are my enemies! No one will harm you while I live!” “Excellent!” she praised, “For that I’m going to give you a very special kiss. This will link us together forever. We will be as one mind, one heart, and one soul. Would you like that?” “Oh yes! Please give this kiss to me! Make us one forever!” he answered emphatically. “Very well then.” she said with a smile, “Close your eyes. Relax.” C.K. closed his eyes and his body went limp. “You are completely relaxed and you can feel no pain, only pleasure. Understood?” she commanded. “Yes…no pain…pleasure.” he answered, smiling. “C.K., this is something I’ve wanted to do ever since we first made love, ever since you caught me when I fell and didn’t want to put me down.” said Kat as she shape shifted into Kitten, “With this sweet taste of your life essence, you will be mine for all eternity! My slave and my lover…forever!”

Kitten smiled, baring her needle sharp fangs. She turned C.K.’s head to the left and softly kissed his neck. She continued to kiss his throat until she could feel the blood throbbing in his jugular vein, just below the skin’s surface. Kitten’s heartbeat began to increase as she placed her fangs just over the vein. It excited her to wait just on the verge. Then, she punctured the vessel. Kitten tasted C.K.’s blood for the first time, her eyes rolled back in her head and she moaned in ecstasy. For her, it was like having sex. Kitten climaxed after the third swallow and she found it hard to stop. After the tenth swallow, she forced herself to cease siphoning his blood and licked the two small puncture wounds closed, which healed immediately, leaving no trace of the bite. Kitten kissed C.K. passionately and left him to rest.

Kitten decided to go down to check on Mona, to see if she was more compliant now. She opened and closed the secret door, padded down the dank winding stone stairway and went to the door of her cell. She noticed that Mona wasn’t screaming and entered the code quickly to see if she might be dead. When Kitten opened the door, she smiled evilly at what she saw. Kitten stepped in and closed the door. Mona was hanging by her wrists, the metal cuffs chafing her skin to the point of bleeding, her knees not reaching the floor. Mona’s eyes were glazed and she twitched indicating the mind claw’s strikes on her psyche. Kitten stopped the attack of her mind claws and Mona awakened out of her stupor. “Oh Kitten, thank you for stopping the clawing!” said Mona weeping, “I’m sorry I said those insulting things to you! Please don’t use those things on me again! I’ll do whatever you say!”

Kitten smiled and said “Stand up straight and be quiet!” Mona obeyed quickly. “So you’ll do anything I ask, hmm, Tinkerbell?” “Yes, whatever you want!” she answered quickly. “Very well, then. Come to me!” ordered Kitten. She waved her hand and the metal restraints opened, releasing Mona’s arms. Mona walked haltingly over to Kitten. “Kneel before me!” she commanded. Mona complied. “Now kiss my feet!” Kitten said. Mona bent down and kissed both of her feet and rose back up to her knees. “Rise, slave.” said Kitten. Mona stood up, her eyes still looking at the ground. “Look at me, Tinkerbell. Look into my eyes!” commanded Kitten lifting her head by the chin, “Hmmm, there is one test that you can’t fake!” Kitten took Mona in her powerful arms and sank her fangs into her throat, tasting her blood again. After a short taste, Kitten licked the wound closed and raised her head to look in Mona’s eyes again.

Kitten could still see the disgust in Mona’s eyes from her intimate contact. “Aha! I knew it!” exclaimed Kitten, “You’re trying to fool me! Well, it didn’t work, Tinkerbell!” Suddenly, Mona unleashed an attack that would have KO’d a human opponent in seconds, but alas, did no good against Kitten. Although an extremely powerful psionic and well above average fighter, Mona’s skills were no match for Kitten’s superhuman and supernatural prowess. The skilled barrage of kicks and blows thrown by Captain Calderone were easily parried and blocked. Kitten picked Mona up by her throat and slammed her into the wall she had been chained to, knocking the wind out of her. At Kitten’s mental command, the metal cuffs seemed to come to life and reattached themselves to her wrists. Mona screamed in frustration and anger.

“My, my! You surprised me, Tinkerbell!” said Kitten, “No one has ever stood that much of my mental clawing and still resisted my commands! I commend you on your mental discipline and strength of will! I won’t underestimate you again! If your body were half as strong as your mind, I might not be standing up right now!” “I guarantee you wouldn’t!” said Mona, “You’d wake up in a nice super-cell we keep for special cases just like you! I swear that I won’t underestimate you again either!” Kitten smiled and replied, “Now that we have a bit more respect for one another’s abilities, I think it’s time we upped the ante a little!” Kitten went to the intercom and ordered that Ruby bring Darcy into Mona’s cell. A moment later, Darcy was walked into the cell by Ruby, who was sporting a brand new black eye, courtesy of Darcy’s elbow. Mona snickered and winked at Darcy, who nodded her acknowledgement.

Ruby’s eye healed in a matter of moments after Darcy had been secured to a chair, due to her super-feline physique. “Now I know you don’t care if I kill you Mona, dear.” purred Kitten, “But it’s entirely another matter to watch it happen to someone else, isn’t it?” “Curse you, Kitten, NO!” shouted Mona, yanking violently on her chains. “Promise to obey me and I’ll spare her.” Kitten said with an evil grin, “Refuse me and you can watch Ruby have her din-din! What’s it gonna be, Tinkerbell?” “NO, CAPTAIN!” shouted Darcy defiantly, “I remember my oath! You remember yours! No deals! Don’t you do it!” Mona smiled at her and said to Kitten, “Heard the lady, alley-cat! No deals! So you can take your offer and stick it where the sun don’t shine!” Darcy smiled bravely. Kitten was livid and said, “Ruby, dinner is served!”

Ruby straddled Darcy’s sexy rounded hips and said, “Now chica, I’ll pay you back for cutting off part of my ear!” “Just get on with it, little friskies!” said Darcy, “Your breath stinks!” “MMRREEOWRR!” Ruby shouted as she began slowly clawing her. To her credit, for the first two minutes, Agent Darcy Weaver didn’t even scream, but the slow, relentless raking of her flesh took its toll and she began to cry out. Mona didn’t turn away from the torturous death she was witnessing. She watched it and recorded every scream in her photographic memory so that she would never forget the incredible valor of this young woman. Finally, after 15 minutes of clawing torture, Ruby sank her fangs into Darcy’s carotid artery and feasted on the mouthfuls of blood that gushed forth from her severed vessel. When Ruby could suck no more blood from her throat, the callous cat-girl ripped into her chest and pulled out her heart. She offered to share it with Kitten, but she politely refused and let her have it all.

When she finished and was walking out of the cell, Mona called to her, “RUBY!” Ruby turned to her and Mona said, “I want you to take a good look at my face!” “What for, chica?” she asked. “Because you should remember very well the last face you will see before you die!” said Mona with tears of anger and sorrow streaming down her cheeks. Ruby laughed as she slinked out of the cell, licking her claws clean. “I’m surprised you didn’t threaten me as well, Mona!” said Kitten with a smile, “What’s the matter, not enough righteous indignation to go ‘round? I thought you’d be screaming, crying, yelling obscenities, and threatening my very existence! ” “No, Kitten. “ she answered softly, “You’re already spoken for. Everyone in SHADOW knows you belong to Colonel Foxxe and I hope I’m there to watch her cut you into little bite-size pieces! As far as the emotionalism goes, I guess you’ve never heard the proverb that says that ‘Revenge is a dish that is best served cold.’”

“Well, Captain, it’s obvious you need more therapy!” said Kitten, “You really must work on your anger issues, so I’ll continue your treatment through the night! Perhaps in the morning, we’ll have better results!” Kitten began her mind clawing again. Mona didn’t scream right away, but, like Darcy, she could only take so much. Mona’s screams made Kitten smile as ascended the winding staircase to the main floor, confident that a full night’s mind clawing would put Mona under her control. With both C.K. and Mona under her control, she felt confident in moving her timetable forward to orchestrate the end of SHADOW!

TO BE CONTINUED…in Episode V: “A.I.: Artificial Infiltration!”

[Doubleb66]

Once again, another fantastic read! Action-filled, suspenseful plot, great characters, and excellent attention to details. BraVO, sir!

[superpics4les]

Hey folks! Here's the next episode! I hope you are enjoying the story!

*****

Episode V: AI - “Artificial Infiltration!”

Milan, Italy - Milan Malpensa International Airport…

Precisely one hour after her conversation with her ex-husband, General Ken Hawkins, Alva was standing at the private aircraft terminal waiting for Hawkins to call her cell phone. She waited another two minutes before the phone rang. “Yes?” she answered. “Ms. Hawkins, this is CELIA, the General’s aide. We know you’re at the airport, but we need you to move out onto the tarmac about 10 meters from where you are right now.” “What do you mean?” Alva asked puzzled by the request. “Just what I said, Ms Hawkins.” CELIA answered, “Please exit the terminal onto the tarmac and stop near the yellow line directly ahead of you.”

Alva picked up her shoulder bag and complied, rolling her other medium-sized bag out the door with her. As she neared the yellow line, CELIA suddenly said, “Stop right there. That’s far enough. Please don’t move.” Out of nowhere a bright light shone down on top of Alva, bathing her in its brilliance. Just as suddenly as it started, it stopped…and Alva DeCiccio-Hawkins was gone. The bright light reappeared in a half circle room filled with readouts and consoles. When the light ceased, there stood a very confused and disoriented Alva. “Transport sequence complete, subject has arrived safely.” said a female voice. A large shapely figure moved toward Alva and stepped from the dim light just off the transport matrix platform where she had just materialized.

“Welcome to SHADOW Headquarters, Ms. Hawkins.” she said smiling, “I am Omega Prime, Leader of Omega Section, but you may address me as Omega.” Omega extended her hand to greet Alva, but she seemed to be paralyzed and completely unable to move. “W…Wh…What just happened?” she stammered, “How did I get here? What is this place?” “Well, let’s see.” Omega answered, “In order of asking: You were brought here by a matter transportation device, which explains the bright light, and you are standing on the transport matrix platform in one of our 10 MatTransport stations located in SHADOW HQ. Now if you’ll please step down from the platform, I’ll take you to the General.”

Omega offered her hand again. This time Alva took it and Omega helped her down the four steps that led to the floor of the MatTransport chamber. “Oh, my bags.” said Alva. “Chief, send the luggage to HS-1213, please.” ordered Omega. “Yes, Commander.” she answered. The light above the platform flashed bright for a split second and her two Versace bags were gone. “Wow.” said Alva in disbelief. Omega smiled and said, “As they say on your world, ‘You ain’t seen nothin' yet’!” Omega escorted her to an OmniLift. The computer asked, “Level?” “Main Concourse.” said Omega. The lift took off at enormous speed. If not for the integrated inertia dampers, Alva would have been crushed to her knees by the super-acceleration.

They reached the Main Concourse in 12 seconds. The doors opened and Alva couldn’t believe her eyes. Her mouth agape, she whispered, “Blessed Virgin! Where have I been brought to?” Everywhere she looked there were super-powered females running, flying, walking on air, carrying huge objects using super-strength, repairing or maintaining super high-tech equipment, etc. The truly remarkable thing was the Concourse itself. It was nearly 75 feet high in the center and was remarkably decorated with what appeared to be crystal clear polymer walls with different colors on each level. The clear tubes were horizontal too and also carried Travel Cars which constantly brought personnel and equipment to and from the Concourse.

The vertical and horizontal OmniLift tubes were also present in the huge chamber, but the showcase was the huge shaft of golden light in the center of the corridor. Omega explained that this was the main source of power for the entire complex. The contrataurine (matter/anti-matter) generator was self-sustaining once the initial reaction had been initiated and the massive amounts of energy were held in check by super powerful magnetic fields, monitored constantly day and night. Alva was so in awe of the massive chamber of wonders that she actually fainted. Omega caught her, picked her up and carried her like a child.

Omega flew swiftly to the General’s office and pressed the door signal. “Come!” the General said. The door hissed open and Omega stepped in carrying Alva, setting her down gently on the sofa adjacent to the General’s large high-tech desk. “Fainted in the Main Concourse, huh?” said Hawkins with a grin. “Just like you said she would, sir.” said Omega, “How did you know?” “Are you kidding?” said Hawkins laughing, “I knew once she saw the energy chamber after the transport, she’d drop like a stone! Alright, Commander that will be all. I’ll take it from here. Thank you for the escort, L’ah.” “Anytime, sir!” said Omega with a smiling salute, as she exited the office.

“Alva? Alva, wake up sweetheart.” said Hawkins with a smile. “Hawk!” she exclaimed, “I was having this fantastic dream and…” “It wasn’t a dream Alva, look out here.” Hawkins directed. He helped her up off the couch and led her to the large picture window. Alva gasped at the spectacle she saw. The window looked out on the training area for the SHADOW Academy. Before Alva’s eyes, the recruits were being put through their paces according to their powers and abilities. The future women of SHADOW put on a show that would beat any Steven Spielberg or George Lucas cinematic blockbuster hands down. She watched in awe as miracles of flight, speed, strength and power were played out before her.

Just as she was about to sit down, the General said, “Oh, before you sit, Alva, watch this!” He pointed toward a sleek figure walking toward a large group of trainers and trainees. It was Frankie, in her SHADOWCat uniform. She looked up at Hawkins and blew him a kiss and he waved back. Then she saw Alva and her eyes glowed. She walked over to the lead instructor and spoke to her for a moment. The instructor smiled and nodded. 20 of the trainees donned protective gear and surrounded Frankie. She smiled wickedly looking up at Alva. Hawkins snickered, knowing what was coming.

The armored trainees attacked from all sides simultaneously. Frankie leapt straight up and came down on one of the trainees, knocking her to the ground. Using the downed girl as a springboard, Frankie launched herself into the crowd of junior superheroines whirling at an incredible speed. Her powerful punches and kicks sent trainees flying in nearly every direction. After only 2 minutes, all 20 of the super girls were lying on the ground either unconscious or disabled by the whirlwind attack of the SHADOWCat. One of the trainees, a hot-headed youth, didn’t like being beaten by a woman half her size. The super strong female grabbed a log about the size of a large tree and stole up behind Frankie.

Frankie smiled because her cat-like directional ears detected her approach. Just as the red haired powerhouse reached her, Frankie bared her 18 inch metal claws and with 6 powerful strikes, chopped the log into firewood. Needless to say the young strongwoman backed down rather quickly and Frankie sheathed her deadly claws. The lead sergeant dressed down the recruit and asked Frankie if she wished to file charges against her. Frankie smiled and said no, but the sergeant made her apologize for her unmilitary bearing and had her do 250,000 pushups, saying that would keep her busy for a while and give her time to cool down.

Hawkins looked at Alva and said, “I’d say you might want to think twice about what you say about this lady, wouldn’t you agree?” Alva, her mouth agape again, nodded rapidly. “I thought so.” he replied with a smile.

*****

Elsewhere in SHADOW HQ…

Senior Agent Tara Monroe, codenamed BrainWave, walked hurriedly down the hall toward Colonel Foxxe’s office. She had caught wind of the abduction of Mona Lisa Calderone and though she and Mona were fierce competitors since the Academy, she bore her no ill will and hoped against hope that she was still alive. Agent Monroe arrived outside the Colonel’s office, pushed the door signal and Foxxe ordered her in. Tara entered, approached Foxxe’s desk, saluted and said, “Senior Agent Tara Monroe, reporting as ordered, ma’am!” “Stand at ease, Monroe.” said Foxxe standing and returning the salute, “I assume Alpha has briefed you on the situation?” “Yes, ma’am.” she answered, “But I’m confused about something.” “This is a very confusing case, so I’m not surprised.” answered Foxxe directing Tara to sit on the couch, “What in particular confuses you, Agent Monroe?”

“I wonder where Kitten gets her information.” said Tara, “I took the liberty of scanning every person in the base and I can’t detect a single traitorous thought from anyone! I don’t understand it!” “Hmmm, curious. You say you’ve scanned everyone, Monroe?” asked Foxxe. “Yes, ma’am.” replied Tara, “Every living soul. If there’s a traitor here giving Kitten information, I can’t locate them.” “You know there’s an old saying I remember from an old Sherlock Holmes movie,” said Foxxe, ”It says, ‘When you’ve eliminated all other possibilities, whatever is left, however unlikely, must be the truth.’ There’s only one source left that she could possibly be tapping, but what I wonder is how!” A look of surprise and recognition came over Tara’s face as she mouthed, “CELIA?”

Foxxe nodded. Foxxe concentrated and was able to ask Tara telepathically, “Can you scan CELIA like any other intelligence?” “I think so.” Tara replied, “Her cortex is artificial but much like ours. It shouldn’t be a problem.” “Good.” said Foxxe out loud, “CELIA?” CELIA’s holographic image appeared in response to Foxxe’s voice command. “Yes, Colonel?” she said with a bow, “How may I be of service?” “CELIA, we have reason to believe that your information net may be…compromised.” said Foxxe sadly, “If you will, please permit Agent Monroe to do a telepathic scan of your neural net.” “NO!!” shouted CELIA. “CELIA!! WHAT DO YOU MEAN SPEAKING TO ME IN THAT TONE??” shouted Foxxe rising from her desk. “I…I…apologize Colonel!” said CELIA, stammering for the first time Foxxe had ever heard, “I don’t know why I did that!”

“I think I may know, CELIA.” said Tara softly, “I was in contact with your neural net when you spoke so harshly to Colonel Foxxe. There is a rogue program tied in to your information processor. If you were human I’d call it a post-hypnotic suggestion. Someone’s been accessing low priority personal information on SHADOW personnel.” “How can that be?” asked CELIA, “How could someone do that without alerting Dr. Mason and her staff in the AI monitoring department? They would need to hack my system and there are no direct lines into the base.”

“The link to your net was established through telepathic contact, CELIA.” explained Tara, “Much the same way any telepath would establish a link to any other intelligence. There would be no physical trace to follow, but there is a psychic fingerprint and a record, if you know what to look for.” “Agent Monroe, can you see who’s been accessing me?” asked CELIA, a look of concern on her holographic countenance. Tara smiled and said, “Yes. I believe I can.” “Then please do so.” said CELIA, “It would distress me if I were being used to harm the people of this organization, to harm…my family.” Tara nodded. Foxxe smiled.

Tara closed her eyes and stretched out her hands toward the floating hologram. CELIA’s eyes also closed. Tara and CELIA seemed to be afloat in a sea of light impulses and circuitry, a world of light, sound and power flowing all around them. After moving along a neural pathway for a few moments, Tara noticed a junction that looked like a forced joining of two circuits. As if someone had built a path from outside the net itself. It was dark almost hidden as if it were dormant. Tara detected a strong psychic trace from it and smiled. “Yes, I see the fingerprint.” Tara said, “CELIA, can you see it now?” “Yes, detect it also.” she replied, “As you said, it is easily seen when you know what you’re looking for!”

The young woman’s mind and the representation of CELIA’s moved along the darkened psycho-neural path until it stopped at what looked like a small green glowing box. CELIA commented, “It seems to lead right…” “STOP, CELIA!! Don’t touch that!!” shouted Tara. “What is it, Tara?” asked Foxxe from the real world. “It’s a psionic logic bomb, Colonel.” said Tara, “If CELIA had touched it, the bomb would have caused incalculable damage to CELIA’s neural net and anything attached to it.” “Like you?” asked Foxxe. “Yes, Colonel! I would have ended up like Mona, only I probably wouldn’t have come back!” answered Tara.

“I’m glad you stopped me, Agent Monroe!” said CELIA, “But, where is the rogue program you said was in my processor?” Tara held out her right hand, palm up, fingers angled toward the glowing box and said, “Right here, CELIA. The program code is embedded within the structure of the bomb itself. If it is touched by either one of us with these bodies we possess here in the cyberspace of your mind, it will go off, literally destroying our psyches!”

“Can we get rid of it safely, Tara?” asked Foxxe. “There’s only one way I see it could be done, Colonel.” said Tara, “We’d have to take away its purpose for existence.” “Huh??” said Foxxe. CELIA smiled and said, “In other words, Colonel, what Agent Monroe means is you’d have to shut me down. With no system to monitor or tap into, the program would cease to exist or at least go dormant.” “Which would give us time to disarm it completely.” chimed in Tara, “But there’s the risk of losing CELIA’s personality matrix altogether!” “I don’t think so Agent Monroe.” said CELIA, “The device is attached to my information net to keep the hacker alert from going off. It won’t affect my core processor unless it goes off, so the only part we need to shut down is my information net, which can be easily backed up and restored!”

“CELIA, you’re brilliant!” said Tara. “No, I just have great programming!” replied CELIA. “Tara, CELIA, you’ve both done fine work here, but I wonder if we can leave the hidden pathway in place and try to trace it back to its source the next time Kitten tries to access anymore information.” said Foxxe. Tara thought a moment and said, “I think I can trace her if she doesn’t realize that we’re onto her and she’s linked long enough.” Tara turned toward CELIA and said, “It’s up to you CELIA. Do you think you can playact well enough to fool her?” CELIA looked at Tara with an almost insulted expression and replied, “Of course. I’ll simply ignore her invasion into my information net and…wait…I feel her! Agent Monroe…?” “Yes, I feel it too!” Tara said, “We’d better blend in. I’ll cloak us. Hold very still, CELIA.”

As the invading psionic link from outside the SHADOW mainframe was accessed, BrainWave concentrated and slowly the images projected by Tara and CELIA faded from detection. The link went active and lit up with a strange green glow. Before long, it began searching for whatever information could be accessed without triggering the alerts in the AI monitoring stations. Tara moved to the link and stealthily accessed it. There was no reaction from her mind touch, so she initiated the trace. She could determine just from the touch that it was Kitten. BrainWave’s psionic power moved cautiously along the psychic conduit forged by Kitten’s mind until she finally reached her. She had made contact with Kitten’s psyche!

“Now, to find out where she is!” thought Tara. She moved carefully through the myriad of unconscious thoughts zipping in and around Kitten’s mind. Tara hadn’t made a move that would tip Kitten off to her presence yet, but after poking around inside her head, she realized that she may have to confront her conscious mind to get a lock on her location. Tara spoke out loud her intention and though Colonel Foxxe feared for her safety, she gave her permission to proceed. Tara hit on a clever ruse that, if successful, would give her all the time she would need.

“Kitten? Kitten, precious? Are you there?” said a familiar voice. Kitten’s eyes popped open in surprise. “Who the…?” said Kitten. “Have I been gone that long that you’ve forgotten me so soon, my precious one?” the voice answered. “No…it can’t be you!” said Kitten mentally, “I…killed you! I…ate you!” “Oh, I know you didn’t want to, baby. Daddy’s here now sweetheart, Daddy forgives you!” said the voice. From a dark corner of Kitten’s mindscape, stepped the diminutive figure of Dr. Emile Korva. He smiled and opened his arms. Kitten didn’t think, she just ran to the little man and picked him up, holding him tightly and weeping.

“Oh, Daddy! I’m so sorry I killed you, but I…!” Kitten started. “Shhhh!” said Korva with a fatherly smile, “It’s OK! Daddy understands, precious girl! My, but, you’ve grown since we saw each other last! What happened to you?” As Kitten explained, Tara kept the psychic projection of Korva in front of Kitten as she focused her highly disciplined mind to locate the source of Kitten’s invasive link to determine her physical location. After listening to Kitten’s explanation of who she really was, Tara used the projection of Korva to challenge the information she had received from Dontarius and Rileena.

The tirade Kitten went on lasted quite a while, giving Tara enough time to reach her cerebral cortex and access her memories. She searched through the time spent in the 8th Realm and finally found the memory where she bought the house. She was just about to find out the address and what her human form looked like when suddenly Kitten flew into a rage. She attacked the image of Korva and tried to kill him again. This action hurt Tara and she was forced to sever the link. She did get enough information for a general location, but not a pinpoint. “CELIA, have you backed up the information net completely yet?” asked Tara. “Yes, I have.” CELIA replied. “Then shut it down, now, while she’s still in there!” shouted Tara. CELIA immediately complied.

*****

At the same time, in Kitten’s Hideaway…

The abrupt shutdown of SHADOW’s information net caused a feedback wave through the psychic link and sent a psionic power spike through Kitten’s cerebral cortex. The diabolical feline screamed in desperate pain, fell from her throne-like chair and passed out on the floor of the study. Jade and Ruby ran into the room and attempted to revive her. After a few minutes, Kitten regained consciousness and the PussyKats helped her to her chair.

“Mistress, what happened?” asked Ruby. “Yes, we’ve never heard you cry out like that before!” said Jade hugging her leg. Kitten smiled and said, “Don’t worry, my precious kittens! I’m perfectly fine! I’m afraid my connection with the mainframe at SHADOW has been discovered! I’ll have to find a new source of information! Speaking of which, I think I’ll go down and check on Mona. She may be a bit more cooperative now! Come kittens, let’s take a look!”

Several hours had passed since Kitten left Mona Lisa Calderone to be further victimized by her torturous “mind claws”. Kitten and her PussyKats entered the dungeon when Mona was kept and if they had any humanity left they would probably have teared up at seeing her. She was hanging from the shackles on her arms, limp and nearly lifeless; her knees couldn’t even touch the floor. Her face was wet with the numerous tears she had cried during the clawing of her mind. Her eyes were open, but unblinking, staring at nothingness. Her clothing, tattered and torn from Kitten’s claws, barely covered her shapely, athletically built young body.

Kitten grinned and slinked over to her. She went to her knees, held her head up by her chin and looked deep into Mona’s eyes. Kitten’s eyes glowed as she scanned Mona’s mind. Mona was lost and disconnected from anything. Her mind was floating in a sea of pain, anguish and agony. Having reached her mind and still clawing her psyche, Kitten said, “Mona darling, can you hear me?” “Yes.” she whispered. “Where are you?” asked Kitten. “Don’t know…pain, please stop pain…can’t…take more…please stop pain…do anything…help me.” replied Mona brokenly. “Oh, of course, my darling, here let me help you.” said Kitten, as she simultaneously stopped the mind claw torture and released Mona from her wall chained wrist shackles. Mona fell into Kitten’s arms and she set her carefully down on the floor.

“Thank you.” Mona whispered. “You’re welcome, Tinkerbell.” said Kitten smiling down at her, “Let me do something about those wrists.” Kitten picked up her hands and licked her raw and bleeding wrists, which healed quickly. “How did you…do that?” asked Mona weakly. “It’s a gift I have, to heal things.” said Kitten. The PussyKats stayed in the shadows, giggling. Kitten held her finger to her lips shushing them. Kitten stroked Mona’s short brown hair, purring as she did so. Kitten said, “I’m afraid I must go now, dear.” “Please, don’t go! What if the pain comes back?” asked Mona trembling at the mere thought of it. “There is a way to keep the pain away, darling, if you’ll let me do it for you.” Kitten purred.

“What is it? What do you have to do?” asked Mona desperately. “Like snake venom, it has to be sucked out of you, from your body into mine.” lied Kitten, “It’s a terrible sacrifice, but I’m willing to make it to help you, dear.” “You would do that…for me?” asked Mona. Kitten looked caringly into her eyes and said, “Yes, my dear. Because we’re friends and friends do things like that for each other.” Mona threw her arms around Kitten’s neck and hugged her. Kitten could barely keep a straight face, but managed to hold it together. “Are you ready?” asked Kitten. “Yes, please, go ahead.” said Mona.

Kitten straddled Mona’s hips and brought her lips to her throat. She gently licked her throat in the area where she would puncture Mona’s neck and she laughed and said it tickled. Kitten smiled and sank her fangs into Mona. As she drank her rich, warm blood, Mona reacted as if she were being kissed by a lover. Kitten smiled again and soon stopped feeding. She licked the wound closed and it healed instantly. “There, how’s that feel?” asked Kitten looking deep into her eyes again. “Mmmm, that was nice.” said Mona smiling up at her, “Are you sure you got it all?” “All I can handle right now, sweetie.” said Kitten, “But I can come back later and take more if you like.” “Oh, yes please!” said Mona, “Will you?” With a wry smile, Kitten said, “Of course, I’d be glad to darling. Now, you rest and I’ll lock you in to make sure no one disturbs you, OK?” “Oh, OK. Is there anything I can do to repay you for your kindness?” asked Mona. “Let’s discuss that when I return, all right?” “Whatever you want, my friend.” said Mona with a smile.

Kitten pressed a button on the wall near the door and a small twin bed slid out from an aperture in the cold stone wall. Mona laid down on it and was soon fast asleep. Kitten said softly, “Rest well. I’ll be back to check on you later.” She and the PussyKats went upstairs after Kitten secured the lock. Once they were in the study, they laughed hysterically for about 2 minutes. Kitten said, “Well, I know she can’t be faking this time! She’s all mine now! With her and C.K. both in my power and can send her into SHADOW HQ at the same time as I lure General Hawkins and Panther here into my trap! When I’m through, nothing of SHADOW will remain! It will be totally destroyed! HAHAHAHAHA!”

TO BE CONTINUED…in Episode VI: “The Nightmare Unfolds!”

[Doubleb66]

YES! Another brilliant masterpiece!!

[superpics4les]

Hey, true believers and cat fans! Here's the next installment! Enjoy! 8)

*****

Episode VI: “The Nightmare Unfolds!”

SHADOW HQ, Alva DeCiccio-Hawkins’ guest quarters…

After the training demonstration the day before, Alva seemed a bit wary of going near Frankie. The sight of her long metal claws had sufficiently convinced her to steer clear of The SHADOWCat during her visit to SHADOW HQ. At about 10:00 a.m. the next morning, the door signal rang. Alva put on her robe and went to the door. “Yes?” she inquired, “Who is it?” “My name is Agent Tara Monroe.” the voice answered, “The General sent me to talk with you. He said to expect me?” “Ah, Si signorina!” said Alva, “Please come in!” The door opened, Tara walked in and shook Alva’s hand. When she did, Tara’s mind and hers began immediate communication.

“Wow!” said Tara in surprise, “I don’t think I’ve ever made a psychic connection that fast with anyone before!” “Yes, I must say it is a different experience also!” said Alva. “We must be attuned to the same psychic wavelength, you and I.” said Tara with a smile, “This will make it much easier to find your son, Ms. Hawkins.” “Please, call me Alva.” she said with a smile. “Thank you, Alva.” she replied, “Call me Tara. Do you have a picture of your son with you?” “Yes, just a moment.” said Alva, going for her wallet in her purse, “Here he is.” “Wow. He is so cute!” Tara remarked. She felt a little embarrassed by blurting the comment out like that, but Alva just smiled and said, “He does take after his papa!” “And his mama!” said Tara grinning. “Oh, we’re going to be good friends, I can tell!” said Alva laughing, “Let’s find my son!”

*****

Meanwhile, at Kitten’s hideaway…

C.K. awoke in bed lying beside Kat who was fast asleep in his arms. C.K. felt like he was in heaven just looking at her…and yet there was an uneasy feeling. As if something was still wrong about the whole situation. He couldn’t quite put his finger on it. There was one thing he did know, though. He had never felt this way about any other woman before. He felt empowered when he was with her, like he could do anything! He knew he didn’t want to ever be without her again. “Nothing must come between us, ever!” he thought. There was really only one way to insure this.

“Kat, wake up darling. I have something to ask you.” said C.K. kissing her forehead. Kat, who was feigning sleep all the time he was contemplating, stretched and yawned. She looked at him and said, “Before you do that, could you aim that kiss a little lower?” C.K. smiled and kissed her passionately on the lips, losing himself in their softness and sucking her tongue when she offered it. When the kiss was finished, Kat asked, “So what’s on your mind, Mister Hawkins?” “Kat, I know I’ll never meet anyone else who makes me feel like you do. I know, right now at this moment, that I love you.” he said, almost misty-eyed, “Well, I’ll just come right out and say it: Kathy Dralen, will you marry me?”

Kat’s eyes welled up with tears. “Oh yes, my love, a thousand times, YES!” she exclaimed. Kat threw her arms around him and wept for joy. C.K. even shed a couple of tears himself. As she hugged him, Kat smiled wickedly and thought, “Good! Now he’s mine! The next step will be to meet the parents. That will be the final step and the last one dear old dad and Panther will ever take!” “I’m gonna call my mother! She’ll be so thrilled!” said Kat, “I’ll be right back, lover!” Kat jumped up out of bed, put on her pink satin robe and ran to the large marble bath and shut the door.

Once inside, Kat shape shifted into the fabulous feline form of Kitten. She cast her usual noise canceling spell on the door and cried out, “Mother, are you there?” The mirror did its usual warping thing, but instead of her mother’s face, her father, Dontarius, Lord of the 8th Realm appeared. Kitten gulped and said, “Hello father!” “Hello to you, my little princess.” said Dontarius, “How are things progressing?” “Very well, father!” said Kitten, “C.K. just asked me to marry him! Now I can lure his father and his paramour into the trap I’ve already set with him as the bait!” “Hmmm…so he asked you to marry him, did he?” asked Dontarius, “What was your answer, daughter?” “Well…I, um…said, yes, of course.” said Kitten haltingly.

“Daughter, are you really developing feelings for this…mortal?” asked Dontarius, his eyebrow raised. “Kinda, sorta.” said Kitten almost blushing,”He makes my human form feel like no one else has before, father! I do like him, a lot, but love, I don’t really know.” Dontarius smiled and replied, “I suppose all this sex has just been to enslave him to you, right?” he asked. Kitten grinned and replied, “Well, not just, father! It was fun too!” They both laughed.

“My precious, while this may be a wonderful diversion for you and a lot of fun, as a princess of the 8th Realm, you have responsibilities you are expected to fulfill.” explained Dontarius, “I’m afraid I can only spare you just 3 more Earth realm days to wind this up. If you don’t come home after that, you’ll have to be brought back forcibly and…punished.”

“What kind of…punishment?” asked Kitten, frightened at what the answer might be. “You don’t want to know. Trust me.” said Dontarius, with stern look on his face that sent a cold chill down her spine. “Aha. Gotcha.” said Kitten, “Three days it is!” “Glad to hear it, baby!” said Dontarius with a smile, “I’ll give your love to your mother.” “Please do and thanks Father! I love you!” said Kitten with a smile. “I love you too, sweetheart. Three days.” said Dontarius as his image faded from the mirror.

Kitten picked up the phone and punched the intercom button. The two PussyKats both picked up and said, “Yes, Mistress?” “Kittens, meet me downstairs!” she replied with a sense of urgency, “The plan just got a swift kick from the nether regions! We’ve got 3 days to wrap this thing up and I think I know what to do!” “Yes Mistress, we’re on our way!” they said as they hung up.

Kitten shape shifted into Kat once more and exited the master bath. Climbing back into bed, Kat embraced C.K., kissing him passionately. When she finally loosened her hold on him, C.K. said, “Wow! That must have been some talk!” “Yes, it was!” replied Kat laying her head on his chest, “C.K., my Mom and Dad are out of the country on business and won’t be back for some time, but I’d really like to meet your folks. Is there anyway you can convince them to come here for dinner?”

“My mom’s in Milan, Italy and she might not be able to come just for dinner, but I guess this might bring my Dad out of his comfort zone.” said C.K. with a wry grin, “Especially since I think he’s in love as well!” “Really? “Why don’t you ask him to bring her as well? We could double date!” C.K. laughed and replied, “OK, I’ll call him right now. When do you want to have this little get-together?”

“Oh, as soon as possible and don’t worry about the food. Ruby and Jade are quite adept at…preparing meals!” said Kat grinning. “I can hardly wait!” said C.K., “By the way, where are we anyway? I need to give him directions to get here.” “You just let me worry about that, sweetie!” said Kat, “Come here for a minute, baby. You look like you need a massage.” This caught C.K. by surprise and he said, “A massage, huh? Well, I suppose the call can wait a few minutes.” C.K. walked over and sat on the bed. Kat straddled him and leaned him back. She lay down on him and gently began massaging his temples. “How’s that snookums? Feel good?” she asked. “Mmmm, yes. Very nice!” said C.K.

“Open your eyes, baby. Look at me.” said Kat. C.K. opened his eyes and Kat’s eyes were glowing green. He gasped and then his eyes glazed over. “Now, listen to me carefully, lover.” she said softly, “I want you to contact your father and invite him and Panther to dinner here tomorrow night. Don’t take no for an answer. I’m sure they’ll come. If he asks you where you’ve been, just say something love-sick like ‘in heaven’ or something like that, OK?”

“Yes…in heaven…in your arms!” replied C.K. “Yes, that’s right, my love.” she said smiling, “Now, when he gets here, I’m going to look like this…” Kat shape shifted into the feline form of Kitten. “He’ll try to harm me because he hates me.” said Kitten, “What will you do?” “Protect you…I…love you…can’t let him harm you.” “And if he should try to kill me?” asked Kitten. “Th…then I will…kill him!” he answered. “Why?” she teased. “Because I love you. I can’t live without you!” C.K. replied.

Kitten grinned, baring her fangs. “Do you really love me that much, darling?” she asked. “Yes.” he replied. “Would you die for me?” Kitten inquired. “Yes, my love.” said C.K., stroking her cheek. “Close your eyes, lover.” said Kitten, “I’m going to give you another special kiss, baby. Would you like that?” “Yes, very much!” replied C.K. “Very well.” said Kitten, “After I give it to you, you will sleep deeply for about an hour, then you will wake and call your father and Panther, inviting them to dinner, understand?” Yes…invite Dad and Panther to dinner.” he parroted. “Very good, my love. Now, rest.” she said.

C.K. relaxed and his body went limp. Kitten hissed softly and her soft lips went to his throat, gently resting on the flesh of his neck above the jugular vein. Her heartbeat increased, feeling the blood pumping just beneath the surface of his skin. She scratched his neck near the vein, nicking it slightly with her fangs. It bled a little, just enough to taste. Kitten licked the small trickle from his neck and moaned softly, beginning to purr. She could stand the anticipation no longer. She raised her head and sank her fangs deeply into him, severing the vein, drinking in his life essence. After taking as much as she dared without causing permanent injury to C.K., Kitten ceased her feeding and licked the wound closed, healing it instantly.

Kitten looked at him longingly, feeling sadness that she must soon end his life, but her father had spoken. She only had 3 more days left to complete her revenge against SHADOW. Kitten snapped herself out of her reverie and kissed C.K. before rising from his body. She slinked out of the master bedroom and closed the glided double doors. She quickly padded down the stairs to the main hallway and immediately opened the secret door to the dungeons. The PussyKats were waiting for her outside the cell where Mona was resting.

Kitten started the mind claw attack again on Mona’s psyche and she screamed, “NO, PLEASE! NOT AGAIN!” Just as the agonizing attack began, Kitten and the PussyKats entered the cell. “Mona darling, what is it?” asked Kitten feigning ignorance. “The pain! It’s come back!” cried Mona, “Please help me, my friend!” “Of course, dear!” said Kitten, straddling her curvaceous body on the small bed, “Close your eyes and let Kitten take the pain away!” Mona smiled and closed her eyes. Kitten bit deep into Mona’s throat taking enough blood to weaken her considerably.

When she had licked the wound closed and it healed, Mona sat up and hugged Kitten tightly. “You must let me repay you somehow for all you’ve done, Kitten!” said Mona emphatically, “I won’t take no for an answer!” “Well, if it means that much to you…” said Kitten. “Oh yes, I’ll do anything you want, just name it!” declared Mona.

“The people you work for, SHADOW, have written you off and they’re the ones sending the pain to you!” lied Kitten, “They’re afraid of your awesome power, my sweet Mona. They want to kill me and my kittens as well, because we’re helping you.” Mona’s eyes glowed with fury. She yelled, “Those traitors! I’ll kill them all for this!” “I regret you really have no choice!” Kitten said, “It’s you or them, Mona!” “Well, it sure ain’t gonna be me!” said Mona, “But my powers, they don’t seem to be working!”

“Oh that!” said Kitten, “I did that to try to keep them from finding you, sweetheart, but it didn’t work! They’re relentless!” Kitten scanned Mona’s mind again to be sure. No, she wasn’t faking this. Kitten nodded to Ruby to deactivate the psionic inhibitor. Kitten removed the electrodes from her head and Mona could feel her power surging through her again. “Now, my angel of vengeance, we must wait for the right time to destroy our enemies, to destroy SHADOW!” “I’ll go when you say, Kitten. I owe you my life.” said Mona. Kitten smiled and said, “Good, my friend, wait here for me, OK? Rest now, regain your strength.” “All right, as you say.” replied Mona, who lay back down on the bed and slept.

Kitten and the PussyKats went back upstairs and entered the study. Upon entering, Kitten sat on her throne-like chair, purring. The PussyKats took their usual place at her sleek pinkish hued stockinged feet. Jade and Ruby held her shimmering legs, rubbing their cheeks on them purring. Kitten stroked their hair, enjoying the bonding between her and her kittens. Suddenly, she spotted the light on the phone indicating that someone was using the line from the master bedroom. “Ah, C.K. is calling his dad!” said Kitten, “Let’s listen in, shall we?” The PussyKats nodded.

The security protocols went through and CELIA answered. “General Hawkins’ Office, How may I help you?” she said. “Hi, CELIA, this is C.K. Hawkins. Is my Dad there?” he asked. “Oh yes! I’m certain he’ll be glad to hear from you!” said CELIA, “Please hold just a moment!” A few seconds later, a gruff, but relieved sounding voice came on the line. “C.K.! Thank God!” said General Hawkins, “Son, where have you been? We’ve been trying to locate you for the last week or so!” “Dad, relax! I’m perfectly fine!” said C.K. chuckling, “I’ve been in heaven with the girl of my dreams. I met her at work and…well…I’ve asked her to marry me!” “What? Marriage?” the General remarked, “C.K., are you sure about this, son?”

“I’ve never been so sure of anything in my whole life, Dad!” said C.K., “I love this lady and I want you and Panther to come to dinner tomorrow night to meet her!” “Me and Panther, huh?” asked General Hawkins, “Of course, son, we’d be honored to! What time and where?” C.K. gave the directions he had been given mentally by Kitten and set the time at 6:00 p.m. “We’ll be there and we’re really looking forward to meeting your fiancée!” the General answered. “Good! See you then, Dad! ‘Bye!” said C.K. hanging up.

Kitten turned off the speakerphone and she and the PussyKats giggled in their amusement. “Well, my kittens, sharpen your claws!” said Kitten, licking her lips, “You’ll feast royally tomorrow night!” “We want Panther, Mistress.” said Ruby. “Yeah! We’ll make her pay for what she did to you!” echoed Jade. Kitten grinned and hugged them both. “I couldn’t be prouder of you two!” she said, almost tearing up, “Now, run along downstairs and tell Mona that the time we strike is 6:05 p.m. I want to make sure that Cyclops and Panther are here when Mona attacks SHADOW HQ. Nothing can stop us now! HAHAHAHAHAHA!”

*****

At same time, inside SHADOW HQ…

“That alley cat has done something to my son!” said General Hawkins angrily. “How do you know that, Popi?” asked Frankie. “Because he called you ‘Panther’, Frankie!” said Hawkins with a frown, “I’ve never called you anything but Frankie to him. How would he know you were called The Crimson Panther?” “Madre de Dios! You’re right, Popi!” replied Frankie, “What should we do?” “We go to dinner, sweetheart, but we bring along a few surprise guests!” said Hawkins, “Round up the Gamma Girls, Frankie, we’ve got a dinner party to go to tomorrow night and I want everybody dressed to kill!”

*****

A couple of hours later, in Colonel Foxxe’s quarters, Major Ravenwing and Foxxe were talking about their upcoming mission when Foxxe interrupted the conversation. “Gray, I’ve got something to ask you and I want you to hear me out before you answer. Promise?” she asked. “Sure, I promise.” replied Grayson, “What is it, Amie? You look so serious.” “This is a serious thing I need to ask.” said Foxxe, “OK, here goes. Gray, you are my best friend. You’ve been that for 4 out of the 5 years I’ve served here at SHADOW. I never want to lose you. This thing with Kitten scares the hell out of me and I want to make sure you’re ready for her in case…she gets to you.”

“Hey, I’m a Gamma Girl, Amie. I’ll be fine!” said Ravenwing, “Besides I’m a superheroine, what could happen?” “You could end up a midnight snack for Kitten and her PussyKats, that’s what!” said Foxxe somewhat angrily, “Have forgotten what happened to you during the CLAW mission? How Kitten almost cut your head off?? If it hadn’t been for Omega’s super speed, you neck would have been turned into a ‘crimson fountain’, as Kitten so creatively put it!” “OK, OK! Don’t remind me!” said Ravenwing, “What is it you want to ask me, then, Amie?” Foxxe walked over and sat down next to her and took her hand. “Gray, I want to give you my fox powers.” said Foxxe, “With them, I think you’ll stand a fighting chance against Kitten and her cohorts.”

Ravenwing let go of Foxxe’s hand and stood up. She walked a few steps away, her head down as she thought. She turned toward Foxxe again and said, “OK Colonel, let’s do it! How do we proceed?” Foxxe smiled, led her to the couch, and told her to lie back on it. Foxxe concentrated and transformed into the ShadowFox. The ShadowFox smiled and said, “I’ve finally got you, my pretty black birdie!” “Oh, stop it!” said Ravenwing with a smile, “You behave or I won’t do this at all!” “Party-pooper, I’m just kidding!” said ShadowFox grinning showing her sharp teeth, “Just relax and look into my eyes, Gray. Look deeply into my glowing red eyes!”

As Major Grayson Ravenwing stared at ShadowFox, her eyes glazed over and she fell deep into a trance-like state. “Gray, can you hear me?” asked ShadowFox. “Yes…hear you.” replied Ravenwing. “Good. Now listen to me. You will feel no pain when I bite you. You will be peacefully asleep and only respond to my voice, understand?” “Yes…only your voice.” she replied groggily. ShadowFox smiled and straddled her sleek red hosed hips, bringing her mouth to Grayson’s neck. ShadowFox’s eyes glowed brightly as she bared her fangs and sank them into Ravenwing’s carotid artery.

While Grayson felt no pain, the strange sensation of being bitten made her gasp and she put her arms around her friend. ShadowFox smiled and continued to drain Ravenwing, savoring her taste with only the occasional slurp. When she was near the point of death, ShadowFox stopped drinking her life essence and closed the wound with her tongue, licking it until it healed. She sat back on Ravenwing’s abdomen and said, “Gray, my friend, can you hear me?” “Yes.” she replied weakly. “Open your eyes.” said ShadowFox. Gray opened her lovely eyes and ShadowFox cut her wrist with a sharp claw, letting the blood slowly ooze from the wound.

“Now, drink.” said ShadowFox, putting the wound near Ravenwing’s lips. She accepted the wrist vessel’s blood, slowly at first, but then began sucking on the wound so hard that ShadowFox literally had to tear it out of her mouth. ShadowFox fell to the floor. Ravenwing sat up with a gasp, as if she had been drowning and just came up for air. She looked at ShadowFox, her eyes glowed red and she shouted, “MORE! I WANT MORE! RRRAWWRRRR!” Gray leaped for her friend’s throat. ShadowFox just barely caught her friend’s claws before they reached her body. Grayson laughed and said, “That won’t keep me from ripping your flesh! HAHAHAHA!” Gray spread her toes and as if in answer to a summons, black razor sharp claws bared on them, puncturing through her red shimmering hose.

Gray snarled and sank her toe claws into ShadowFox’s calves, raking them deeply. ShadowFox screamed in pain. The agony made ShadowFox loosen her grip slightly, just enough for Gray to get loose and begin clawing her torso. ShadowFox was so terrified at the prospect of dying by her friend’s claws and teeth that she couldn’t think. ShadowFox managed to kick Gray off and Colonel Foxxe mentally shouted, “She’s still responsive to your voice, Shadow! Command her to stop! QUICKLY!” ShadowFox screamed, “Gray, stop it right this instant!” Gray was crouched to pounce onto ShadowFox again, but stopped cold and stood where she was, with a vacant expression on her face.

“Whew! Thanks, Amie! Consider our debt settled, girlfriend!” said ShadowFox, "God, those toe claws are really sharp!" “Not a problem, kiddo!” said Foxxe, “Now, probe her mind and see what made her do this!” “OK, hold on a minute.” said ShadowFox. She reached out with her mind to access Gray’s thoughts and found only the animal part of her, the personality of Grayson Ravenwing appeared to be gone!

“Oh my God, what have we done??” shouted ShadowFox, “Gray, go to sleep, deep restful sleep.” Gray’s eyes fluttered and she fell into sleep. ShadowFox caught her and rushed her to MedBay. When Dr. de Winter heard what Foxxe had done, she was furious. “HOW COULD YOU DO SOMETHING LIKE THIS, ARE YOU INSANE???” shouted de Winter, “Do you understand the damage you may have done?? What if her personality is completely gone?? That means your best friend is dead!! AND YOU KILLED HER!!”

Foxxe feel to her knees sobbing uncontrollably. De Winter’s words cut like a knife. Colonel Foxxe was inconsolable. Gray was put in the same power restraints that Foxxe was when the ShadowFox personality emerged, only hers were double strength. Foxxe would not leave her side, not even to eat or sleep.

Tara arrived a few hours later after preparing herself to go into Major Ravenwing’s mind. As she entered the room, Foxxe looked up at her and said, “Oh Tara, I’m so glad to see you! Can you see if Gray is still in there? I’ve got to know!” “That’s why I’m here Colonel.” she replied with a smile, “Here take my hand, we’ll go in together.” “Oh I don’t know, Tara!” said Foxxe sadly, “Haven’t I already caused enough trouble already?”

“Amie?” said de Winter, interrupting, “Please go in with Tara. If anyone can find her in there, it’s you, my friend. I’m sorry for what I said to you. I know you love her as much as we all do. She's my friend too, Amie. I just felt so much loss. I'm sorry." Foxxe hugged Dr. de Winter and replied, "I understand Greta. All is forgiven!" Foxxe turned toward Tara and de Winter smiled saying, "Bring her home, Colonel!” "You got it, Greta.” said Foxxe, “We will, or die trying! Ready, Tara?” “You bet! Let’s go!” Tara replied.

The two beautiful superheroines sat on the cold tile floor of the ward where Gray was restrained. They held hands and concentrated. There was a flash of light in their minds as the psychic link was established and they both entered a realm of darkness…

TO BE CONTINUED…in Episode VII: “Into the Darkness of the Mind’s Eye!”

[Doubleb66]

Awesome! As usual, another outSTANDing update! Can't wait for the finale. Keep up the great work!

[superpics4les]

Hey guys! Here's the next installment! Enjoy! 8)


*****

Episode VII: Into the Darkness of the Mind’s Eye

In the MedBay, Super Isolation Ward 5, SHADOW HQ…

Senior Agent Tara Monroe and Colonel Amethyste Foxxe had created a psychic bridge into Major Grayson Ravenwing’s mind. Together they entered Ravenwing’s psyche to try to find and salvage her human mind. All around the two heroines was darkness. “Colonel, call out to her. Let her know you’re here.” said Tara. “Gray? It’s Amie! Can you hear me?” called Foxxe. Suddenly, there was a desperate cry. “AMIE, HELP ME!! SHE’S TRYING TO KILL MEEEE!” shrieked Grayson. Foxxe tried to take off toward the sound of the voice, but Tara stopped her. “Let’s put some light on the subject first!”

Tara raised her right hand and an orb of light floated up from it illuminating the area. Foxxe gasped. Right where Foxxe was about to run was a yawning chasm that appeared to be bottomless. “Whoa! Girl, I’m glad you grabbed me!” said Foxxe, “I really owe you for that one! What would have happened if I’d fallen into that thing?” “I’m sure you’ve seen ‘The Matrix’, haven’t you?” said Tara. Foxxe nodded. “Well, as Morpheus said, the mind makes it real.” replied Tara, “The body does what the mind tells it to. If your mind dies here, your body will follow out there!” “OK, important safety tip!” said Foxxe with a grimacing smile, “So how do we get to Gray? Does she still exist?”

Tara smiled and said, “She’s alive Colonel, don’t worry. She’s in no danger…yet!” “What do mean, Tara?” asked Foxxe. “The same thing that happened to you when the gene altering compound entered your bloodstream has also happened to Major Ravenwing, with three important differences. One, because you drank in most of her blood, the infusion she received from you gave her a more potent dose of the compound than you received; Two, Mona was able to help you to re-assimilate the fox personality with your own very soon after her emergence; and three, because your powers are feral in nature, your limbic system had already been acclimated to your increase in power. Major Ravenwing’s system was not prepared for this and created enough of an imbalance to allow the fox personality to overpower her.”

“Also, the fact that she’s crying for help tells me that the fox personality can’t kill her off and probably doesn’t want to.” Tara continued, “She’s just intimidating Major Ravenwing into thinking that she’ll kill her if she doesn’t cooperate. The fear that’s in the Major right now is fueling the fox’s power. To stop her we’ve got to convince Major Ravenwing that she’s the dominant personality and get her to assert herself. Otherwise, the fox may eventually gain enough power to kill her, destroying Grayson Ravenwing forever!”

“Whew! That’s a headful!” said Foxxe, “You are really good Tara! You ever want to come over to the Gamma Girls, you let me know, honey!” “Thanks, Colonel, but I think I’ll stay where I am.” said Tara smiling, “You’ve already got the best telepath in SHADOW on your team! Alpha Prime needs me on search and rescue missions. Besides, she’d never let you have me anyway!” Foxxe laughed, and then her expression turned serious. “Well, let’s get to searching and rescuing, Tara!” said Foxxe. “First order of business is getting over or around this thing!” said Foxxe pointing at the huge abyss before them. Tara smiled and said, “Not a problem Colonel. Take my hand,”

Foxxe took the soft, slender hand of Tara Monroe and they both levitated over the monstrous chasm and set down on the other side. “You’re a handy gal to have along on an adventure!” said Foxxe. Foxxe sniffed the air and grinned. Tara asked, “What is it, Colonel?” “It’s Gray, I can detect her scent somehow.” replied Foxxe. “It’s probably the fact that you and she are so close.” said Tara, “The scent is a residual psychic trace you’re picking up. Which way does it lead?” Foxxe scented the air. Pointing to the left, she replied, “This way.”

“Then that way it is.” said Tara, “But be cautious. There may be more traps like the chasm.” “The fox set that trap?” asked Foxxe incredulously. “Yes, Colonel.” Tara answered, “She’s very powerful. She’s aware that we’re here and searching for the Major. She won’t give up control easily. We may have to destroy her, Colonel. Unlike The ShadowFox, she’s not looking to co-exist, she wants total control and she’ll kill us all to get it!”

Foxxe frowned and said, “Well, perhaps we should give her more targets to consider!” Foxxe concentrated and next to her appeared The ShadowFox! Tara smiled and said, “I wondered if you were able to do that, Colonel! With the three of us, we may indeed stand a better than average chance of defeating Ravenwing’s fox personality.” “Then let the hunt begin!” said The ShadowFox, “But when we find her, she’s mine! We have unfinished business!” “Just don’t kill her Shadow…not quite yet!” said Foxxe. “Oh Amie, you never let me have any fun!” replied ShadowFox with a wink. The trio set off toward into the darkness of Ravenwing’s mind, their way illumined by Tara’s psychic energy light orb.

*****

Elsewhere in SHADOW HQ…

Lt. K’anu Zzornz, codenamed Killer Bee, paced impatiently back and forth in her quarters. She had caught wind of the plan that General Hawkins had to move on Kitten’s stronghold the following night around 6:00 p.m. and she wanted in. K’anu decided to request permission to come along. If she was denied, she would go anyway and woe to anyone who got in her way! Zzornz strode to the door and it opened. Surprisingly, there was General Hawkins standing in the corridor!

“Ah, Lt. Zzornz, I was just coming to see you!” said Hawkins with a smile. “And I was on my way to you, sir! Please come in, General!” said K’anu. The General walked in and sat on the comfortable sofa adjacent to where K’anu sat, in the arm chair. “Would you like something to drink, General? I just made some Krellan Bomjisa.” asked K’anu. “Bomjisa? What is it, Lieutenant?” asked Hawkins. “Well, it tastes kind of like your Earl Grey tea, but with a kick!” she replied with a smile, “Would you like to try it?” “Sure, I’ll give it a try! Thanks, Lieutenant!” said Hawkins.

K’anu went into the small futuristic looking kitchen and shortly returned with a medium sized mug shaped like a bull’s horn with a handle. There was thick steam rolling out of its mouth, like something out of a horror movie. Hawkins gulped and thought, “Jesus, Mary and Joseph! What have I gotten myself into?” K’anu smiled and handed him the mug and said, “This is as close as your planet can approximate to the ceremonial mug used on my world for honored guests. I hope you like this, General!” “I hope to be worthy of the honor you give me, Zzornz-alaz.” he replied.

When the General responded with the Krellan form of address for an honored warrior, K’anu almost teared up, but she stopped herself and simply bowed. The General raised the mug to his lips and sipped the bubbling concoction. To his surprise it was actually better than any tea he had ever tasted, having sampled teas and other drinks from dozens of worlds. “This is excellent, Lieutenant! I thank you!” said Hawkins. “You’re quite welcome, sir!” said K’anu, with pride. She sat an ornate holder on the coffee table in front of him so that he could set the mug down if he wished to.

“Now General, what can I do for you?” asked K’anu. “Well, as you may have heard, we now have a location on Kitten, the one who murdered your sister.” explained Hawkins, “And I wanted to extend you a personal invitation to the party, my dear.” “Thank you, General.” said K’anu, “I was just about to come by and ask to attend the party. I was afraid I might have to crash!” “No, not at all!” said Hawkins, “Kitten gave you your invitation when she killed your sister, Lieutenant.” said Hawkins, “It’s only fair that you be first among the guests to greet your hostess.”

“Well, I plan to bring a wonderful house warming gift for her, believe me!” said K’anu, her fists clenched, glowing with bio-electric power. “So I see!” said Hawkins, as he drained the cup. “That was delicious, Lieutenant!” he said, “Thank you, very much! Well, I must be on my way. Oh, yes there will be a miss…er…party planning meeting at 0900 tomorrow!” “Wouldn’t miss it, sir!” said K’anu laughing. “Then I’ll say good night, Lieutenant.” said Hawkins as he stood up. The moment General Hawkins stood from his seat, his head began to swim and his equilibrium was impaired. K’anu took his arm and carefully guided him back down to the sofa.

“Whoa! You said it had a kick, but I never expected this!” said Hawkins, “I don’t know if I can make it back to my quarters alone!” “Let me help you then, sir.” said K’anu. “OK, I guess so.” said Hawkins. K’anu put his arm around her shoulder and held him up instead of just lifting and carrying him using her enhanced strength. Ten minutes later, K’anu and Hawkins had reached the General’s quarters, but in his semi-inebriated state the Commander-in Chief of SHADOW couldn’t remember his door code, so K’anu rang the door signal because Hawkins said Frankie was there.

Frankie opened the door and laughing said, “What happened to you, Popi?” “I think his system had a stronger reaction to the Krellan Bomjisa than I thought he would!” said K’anu. K’anu explained the General’s visit and the cup of Bomjisa he drank. Frankie laughed and said, “Well, give him to me K’anu, I’ll take it from here!” “OK. Good Night, Frankie. See you in the morning!” K’anu said with a giggle. As soon as K’anu left, Frankie walked over to Hawkins who was nearly passed out on the couch. She straddled him and lay on his chest purring. Hawkins awoke to find his girlfriend staring at him with her eyes glowing softly, grinning from ear to ear.

“Uh oh! I know that look!” said Hawkins with a smile, “Why did I tell her to bring me here?” “It doesn’t matter, Popi!” said Frankie, inching closer to his face, “I’ve got you now! You’re completely helpless and been delivered right into my clutches!” “Francisca de la Vega, what are you planning?” asked Hawkins raising an eyebrow. She grinned widely and slowly licked her sharp fangs. “Aw Frankie, not the bite! Please baby, anything but that!” pleaded Hawkins.

“Not this time, Popi!” purred Frankie, “You said when we got serious that I could have one bite every month! You’ve been ducking out on me whenever I ask you, blaming it on work! Now that the baby’s growing, I really need to have you and tonight’s the night, Mi Amor! Besides, now you can’t get away!” “You’re right, baby. I have been neglecting that particular promise.” said Hawkins, “Go ahead and do it, Frankie.” Frankie smiled, kissing him softly and passionately, almost trembling with delight.

“Look at me, Popi.” said Frankie softly, “Look in my eyes. Deeply into my eyes.” Hawkins looked into her eyes and they glowed brighter than they did before. Hawkins fell into a trance like state and his eye glazed over. When she saw that he was under, she said, “Mi Amor, can you hear me?” “Yes…I can hear you.” he replied. “When I bite you, you will feel no pain. Only my lips and my tongue on your throat.” said Frankie, “Only my love, but no pain. Comprende?” “Only love…no pain.” Hawkins replied groggily.

Frankie smiled and bared her fangs. She softly punctured his jugular vein and drew his blood into her mouth tasting it, savoring it, and then finally swallowing. She continued this for about a minute and a half and then licked the wound closed, making sure the wound healed. Frankie lay in Hawkins’ arms purring and satisfied. He awoke feeling a little lightheaded, but none the worse for wear. Hawkins kissed Frankie on the forehead; she responded by gently nuzzling his neck and continued her deep purring. Hawkins soon drifted off to sleep and dreamt of the mission, of destroying Kitten once and for all.

*****

Meanwhile, deep in the mindscape of Grayson Ravenwing…

The trio of heroines cautiously continued their search for Major Ravenwing’s personality. Several times Tara detected traps that had been set by Ravenwing’s fox personality. Fortunately, the fox hadn’t been in the mindscape long enough to master her surroundings. Even so, the traps were quite lethal and if Tara hadn’t had some experience with psychotic, maniacal minds, they might even have been fatal! Each time one of them was sprung, they heard the devilish laughter of the fox, gleefully enjoying her game.

After hours, that seemed more like days, Tara signaled for the group to stop. “What is it, Tara?” asked ShadowFox, “What do you feel?” “She’s stalking us.” said Tara softly, “She’s very close. I bet she’s waiting to attack and kill me.” “Why you Tara?” asked Foxxe. “Because I’m the one most likely to find the traps and snares she’s set for us, while you and ShadowFox can scent out Major Ravenwing.” answered Tara. Suddenly, evil feminine laughter filled the air all around them.

“You’re quite right, Agent Monroe.” said a sultry voice echoing that seemed to come from everywhere at once, “You will be my first kill tonight, but all of you will die! You should never have come in here! Leave now while you can! Save yourself the agony of death at my claws and fangs, for I will have no mercy! None at all! HAHAHAHAHAHA!” “She cares!” shouted Tara on a mental wavelength the fox wouldn’t be able to hear, “The Major must be influencing her! I have a plan! When she attacks don’t interfere!”

“Oh sure! Big talk, puppy dog!” said Tara, “Let’s see ya try it! Come on, I’m waiting for ya! Surely a powerful sleek fox like you can’t be afraid of li’l ol’ me can you? Come on bring it, dog-breath!” A low growl echoed throughout the mindscape. The fox growled, “How dare you speak to me that way!! I’ll tear you to pieces for that! I’ll rip out your throat and quench my thirst with your blood!” “Let’s quit talking and start fighting!” shouted Tara, “What’sa matter baby-fox, scared? You scared you won’t be able to really do it? Do you truly have the stomach for it?” “GRRRAWRR! Soon you’ll be in my stomach, Tara!” she growled.

Like a streak of lightning the fox-woman leapt out of the shadows and fell on Tara. Tara grabbed her wrists and fought to keep her razor sharp claws from reaching her body. Colonel Foxxe and ShadowFox moved closer to aid her, but Tara shouted, “NO! Stay back! Remember what I said! This is my fight! No interference, NO MATTER WHAT!” “GRRAWRRR! That was foolish of you, Tara!” said the fox-woman, “Now you’re mine! HAHAHAHAHAHA!” The fox-woman pressed home her attack while ShadowFox and the Colonel stood by and watched with concern for Tara’s safety.

The sleek black-clad she-devil’s claws inched closer every second despite Tara’s best efforts. Colonel Foxxe shouted, “Please, Tara! Let us help you, before it’s too late!” “It’s already too late, Amie!” said the fox, “For all of you! Starting with her!! HAHAHAHAHAHA!” The fox rose up and pushed down hard, finally sinking her razor sharp claws into Tara’s body. “Gray, NOOOOO!” shouted Foxxe and ShadowFox simultaneously. They ran to stop her before more damage could be done, but Tara screamed, “NO MATTER WHAT!!!”

The psychic force behind her words stopped Foxxe and her alter ego dead in their tracks. They could only watch the grisly scene that was about to unfold before them in horror. The fox-woman ripped Tara’s screaming body to shreds. She seized her soft throat in her slavering jaws and clamped down on it with the force of a pneumatic vise. She snarled as she shook Tara’s helpless form violently until she ceased to struggle or scream. Only then did the fox release her now dead prey, letting it drop to the ground. She drained Tara’s lovely body of what blood hadn’t already leaked out of it from her initial clawing attack.

The figure of what was once Grayson Ravenwing stood up from the mauled and mangled mess that she had made of Tara Monroe, reared back and howled like a fox. She then looked at Colonel Foxxe and smiled; licking her already blood covered lips. “Who’s next?” said the fox, her red eyes smoldering. Foxxe shouted through her tears, “Gray, look at what you’ve done!! You’ve taken a life!! YOU MURDERED HER!! Look at what you did! I SAID LOOK AT HER!!” The fox-woman looked shocked by what Foxxe had said and turned to look at Tara’s shredded corpse.

The fox-woman looked at her paw-like, sharp clawed hands, still dripping with fresh blood. Suddenly, she fell to her knees, grabbed her head and shrieked with a high-pitched wail that shook the entire mindscape. Her body began to shimmer and then glow brightly, looking like a formless glowing shape. The shape split into two parts, then the glow faded and before the wondering eyes of Colonel Foxxe and ShadowFox were two versions of Grayson Ravenwing: the fox-woman and Major Ravenwing dressed in her Gamma Section uniform, tightly bound, and covered in chains.

“Amie, help me!” shouted Gray. Colonel Foxxe moved toward her, but the fox personality grabbed Gray with her fangs poised to rip her throat out and said, “STAY BACK! I’ll kill her if you take one more step, Amie!” At that moment, Colonel Foxxe heard Tara’s voice! She said, “Now Colonel, give Grayson the courage to embrace her fox personality just as you did! She’s growing more powerful by the moment! If she doesn’t do it now, we may lose her forever!”

“Gray, you have to control your fear, sweetheart! You’re giving her too much strength!” said Foxxe with a smile, “Just like I did, you’ve got to talk to her! Don’t be afraid of her! She’s you, honey! She can’t kill you!” “That’s right, Gray!” said ShadowFox, “She can’t hurt you anymore than I could hurt Amie! You’re the dominant force here! You tell her what to do! She’s just a bully! Trust me, I know!” Foxxe looked at ShadowFox, took her hand and smiled. “You two can live together in peace just as we did, Gray!” said Foxxe, “It’s up to you!”

“But Amie, I don’t have your strength!” said Gray sobbing, “I can’t do it alone!” Suddenly, a voice spoke from everywhere at the same time, echoing throughout the mindscape. It was Tara! “Don’t worry, Major!” she said, “I’ll help you if you will fight her! Will you do that?” Gray grinned and said, “Is fat meat greasy? Of course, I will girlfriend!” Colonel Foxxe and ShadowFox laughed loudly. Out in the real world, Tara’s eyes suddenly popped open. She looked at Major Ravenwing and beams of green psionic energy shot out from her beautiful blue eyes. The beams impacted Gray’s forehead and power began to fill her persona.

Back in the mindscape, Major Ravenwing began breaking the chains that were binding her. The fox persona shouted, “NO! I won’t give in! I won’t surrender control! You’re mine!” The fox leaped for Gray, but she freed herself, blocked the double claw attack, grabbed her wrists and threw her at least 20 feet! Gray quickly flew over to her, grasped the front of her black, skin tight catsuit and threw her onto the chains. The chains suddenly came to life and wrapped themselves around the fox-woman, completely enveloping her. She howled and said through her tears, “Go ahead! Kill me! That’s what you want isn’t it! JUST DO IT!”

“Oh, calm down willya!” said Gray, “I was just defending myself, sweetie! I don’t want you dead! You’re a part of me! You’re my tenacity, my confidence and my strength! I can’t kill you, I wouldn’t be me anymore!” Gray approached her and wiped her tears away. ShadowFox and Foxxe also came over to her and ShadowFox said, “It’s all true, my sister. When I first emerged, I was afraid too. I thought Amie wouldn’t want me either, so I tried to take control. Then I realized that we were one person expressed as two individuals. I couldn’t live with out her…” “And vice-versa.” said Foxxe, “You two belong together. There’ll be some stressful moments, but you’ll work through them…together!”

Slowly the chains, first forged by Gray’s fears and then by the fox's, began to fade away. The fox looked at Gray and smiled. She looked at Foxxe and said, “Please forgive me for hurting you. I didn’t understand. I’m truly sorry!” “Forget about it! It’s all in the past, friend.” said Foxxe. The fox suddenly realized something and burst into tears. “That poor girl! I killed her! How can I make that right!” she cried. “A simple apology will do.” said Tara as she appeared.

The fox ran to Tara, embraced her and shouted, “TARA! You’re alive? I don’t understand! I thought you were a voice from the beyond or something!” Tara laughed and said, “Nothing quite so spooky as that, Major! I simply substituted a body double for my persona here in your mind so I that by my death I could force the split that resulted. I knew from your profile and service record that you had never killed anyone on purpose. The shock of seeing me ripped to shreds forced your dominant half to assert herself and…voila!” “As I heard Amie say Tara, you are good!” said Gray. “I agree with that 100%!” said the fox.

The fox walked over to Gray and they looked at each other. “You ready to do this?” asked Gray. “As ready as I’ll ever be, I guess!” said the fox. The two embraced and the fox disappeared into Gray’s body. At the same time, in the real world, Tara stopped the psionic beams and severed the link to Ravenwing’s mind. Major Ravenwing awoke and was herself again. Amie jumped up, ran to Gray and hugged her best friend tightly.

“Oh Gray, can you ever forgive me for doing this to you!” said Foxxe weeping. “Nonsense, Amie! You meant well and you did give me an advantage over Kitten in the coming battle. She may know about my flight ability, but now my feral abilities may be just as strong as yours, plus I can fly! The way I see it, she’s gonna be in for a big surprise tomorrow night!”

“Thanks, Gray!” said Foxxe, as she let go of Major Ravenwing. Foxxe and Tara turned to leave the room and Gray said, “Hey! Aren’t you forgetting something?” Foxxe smiled at Tara and said, “Oh yeah! I believe when I was in this predicament, there was tickle torture applied to my person, but the reason was more than sufficient! However, this time I am not the injured party, Tara?” Tara smiled and said, “Hmmm, yes I think a tickling is definitely in order! After all, Major, you did kill and partially devour me, you know!” “Aww, come on, Tara! I said I was sorry!” pleaded Gray, “Please don’t do this, I’m begging you!” “Funny, I said the same exact words to you and tickled me ANYWAY!” said Foxxe, “Agent Monroe, will you do the honors?”

Tara looked at Gray and waggled her eyebrows up and down as she headed for the foot of the bed.. Gray frantically searched for the call button, but couldn’t find it. Foxxe cleared her throat and Gray dropped her head when she saw what she was holding. Foxxe swung the detached signal control in her hand and said, “Do I need to say it?” “No.” said Gray, her eyes glowing red, “Touché. I see I ate the wrong person! I should have eaten you, my chocolate fox!” “Ah, yes the choices we make!” said Foxxe laughing, “Agent Monroe, you may begin.” Tara smiled and replied, “Why, thank you Colonel, don’t mind if I do!” Gray closed her eyes waiting for the inevitable as the tickle torture began.

*****

Meanwhile, in Kitten’s lair…

Kitten was going through a few last minute preparations before her big dinner party that her guests would never leave. Everything was working out perfectly. The General and Panther would arrive at 6 o’clock, they’d have a nice dinner and then they’d be dessert! Ruby and Jade were looking forward to getting their claws on Panther and Kitten was eagerly anticipating dining on General Hawkins’ heart. The only thing she was dreading was devouring C.K. She was really developing feelings for him and they were strong. She tried to dismiss it as just lust for his body and the way he made love to her human form, but it was more than that…much more than she cared to admit.

Kitten was sitting in her usual ornately decorated chair with the PussyKats purring at her feet. Jade looked up at her and said, “Mistress, what’s wrong? You look so sad.” “Si, Momi. You’ve been moping around here for the past 2 days! Please tell us what is upsetting you so!” said Ruby. “Oh kittens, its nothing.” said Kitten, painting on a smile, “Pay me no mind. Just focus on tomorrow night. I want you ready to rip Panther to itty bitty pieces!” “We won’t disappoint you, Mistress!” said Ruby, “Trust us!” “You haven’t yet, my little ones and I have no fear that you will.” said Kitten proudly, “I just want you to be careful. Panther is a fierce warrior and a cunning, wily adversary! Those claws of hers are the most dangerous I’ve ever seen! It was not by mistake that Dr. Korva made her the leader of our group!”

“We’ll be ready, Mistress!” said Jade, “We’ll make you proud!” “I know you will, kittens!” she replied, “Now, please leave me. I have some more planning to do.” “Yes, Mistress!” said the PussyKats as they bowed and left the oak paneled study. “I wonder how Mona’s doing.” thought Kitten, “The poor dear’s probably still sleeping off the last feeding I took from her. I hope I didn’t take too much! It’s hard not to though, she tastes so good! I’ll let her rest, she has a big night ahead of her tomorrow!”

*****

Up in Kat’s bedroom, C.K. was asleep in the great 4 poster, California King sized bed. He was still sleeping under the spell that Kitten had placed on him before the phone call he made to General Hawkins. Deep in REM sleep, he was dreaming. As his dream unfolded, he was in a beautiful garden with high walls covered in rich green vines, peppered with flowers. C.K. saw a young woman walking toward him. Her curvaceous body was dressed in shiny, skin-tight, dark green bodystocking. He smiled and greeted her.

She smiled back, silently took his arm and walked with him. He spoke with her, but she never said a word. She simply smiled sweetly and even laughed, enjoying his one sided conversation. Finally, C.K. said, “We’ve been walking here in this beautiful setting for…I don’t know how long and you still haven’t said a word to me. You haven’t even told me your name.” She stood in front of him, looked into his face and caressed his cheek, her pretty brown eyes burning into his. C.K. looked at her lovely face and ran his fingers through her short, silky brown hair. She smiled, stood on her toes, encircled his neck with her arms and kissed him warmly.

“Wait a minute!” said C.K. breaking the embrace, “I’m engaged to be married! I can’t be doing this!” The young woman spoke with a smile on her face and asked, “Then why am I here? Right now, with you?” “So you can speak.” said C.K., “I was beginning to wonder!” “I’m here because your mind called out to me and I believe we can help each other, C.K.” she said, “You’re in grave danger!” “Danger? From what…or who?” asked C.K. “From your fiancée, my dear, from Kat!” she replied. “What are you talking about??” shouted C.K., “She’s everything I ever wanted in a woman! I love her with all my heart!” “Then why did you kiss me?” she asked with a wry grin. “Excuse me, lady! You kissed me!” said C.K., returning the grin. “True, but it took you a minute to push me away, didn’t it?” she replied.

“Wearing that outfit, would you push you away?” said C.K. smiling at her, admiring her lovely body, “Besides, you’re just a dream! You can’t cheat with a dream!” “C.K., I’m not a dream, sweetheart.” said the woman, looking deep into his blue eyes, “You can tell that, can’t you?” No...I mean, yes…I mean…Oh, I don’t know what I mean!!” said C.K., “I’m very confused!” “Let me see if I can help to unconfuse you.” she said. She pulled his mouth down to hers and kissed him again, more passionately than the first time. He kissed back, responding to her as if they’d known each other all their lives. “Wait, please!” said C.K. finally coming up for air, “I know what this is now! This is a mental projection, a joining between two minds, a psychic link, right?” “Yes, C.K.! Very good! Your powers are growing and so is your awareness!” she said smiling, “But you’re still under Kitten’s influence!”

“Kitten? Who’s Kitten? What powers? What are you talking about?” asked C.K. incredulously. The woman smiled again and said, “You already know, C.K. Search your thoughts, your memories. You are telepath and a mighty strong one at that! Stretch out with your mind. You have more power than you realize! Break through the wall of shadows, see the truth!” C.K.’s brow furrowed as he closed his eyes and concentrated.

Suddenly, as previously, the images of clawing carnage, the scenes of unending horror, the visage of ripping flesh and blood-feasting came flooding into his mind once more. He screamed, falling to his knees, but this time the young woman was there to steady him saying, “Easy now, C.K.! Control the images, settle your mind. Slow down the flow. They’re just pictures, they can’t hurt you!”

C.K. gradually got to his feet and said, “Thanks! That’s what happened before isn’t it?” “Yes, the first time you really touched Kat’s mind.” said the beautiful brunette, “She is the sleek, stocking clad, sharp clawed cat-creature you saw in those images of wanton death and destruction! She is the one that is trying to kill not only you, but your father as well!” “I can’t believe that!” cried C.K., “Kat loves me! She’d never hurt me!” “C.K., we don’t have time for this!” she said through tears falling from her eyes, “Kitten could return to your room at any moment! You must sense that I’m not lying to you! She’s an inhuman monster that wants to destroy your family!” “How do you know all this? Who are you??” asked C.K.

“I’m a prisoner of this she-beast! So are you, you just don’t know it yet!” said the weeping girl, “She tortured me to use my powers against my friends! Here let me show you…” The girl put her palms on C.K. head and allowed him to experience the tortures she endured from Kitten’s psychic claws, tortures beyond human comprehension. C.K.’s eyes filled with tears of compassion for her suffering. He wiped the tears on her face away with his thumbs as his palms rested on her cheeks.

C.K. angled her lovely face up toward his as he said, “You have got to be the bravest woman I’ve ever known! How did you ever get her to stop the torture?” “I purposely split my own personality into two separate psyches, as most people do when their minds can’t take anymore.” she explained, removing her palms from his head, “The only difference between me and a psychotic is that I controlled the split. I willed it to happen and hid this true version of myself deep in the recesses of a part of the mind that most people don’t use and therefore she wouldn’t scan!”

“That’s brilliant!” said C.K., “But now that I believe you, what’s to keep her from scanning me and discovering that I know the truth?” “Simple, love.” said the lovely brown haired girl, “Imagine a wall in your mind, an impenetrable barrier that nothing can get past, build it up and keep it there and she’ll have no way of getting in. In fact, no one will, unless you let them in!” Just then, the girl stiffened and said, “She’s coming! I have to sever the link, otherwise she may know about my scheme and kill my body before I can reassert control!” “Wait, here, take this.” he said, handing her a gold key, “This way you can get back in through the wall.”

She smiled and said, “Thanks!” She started to leave, but C.K. grabbed her wrist and said, “Please, tell me your name before you go!” “My name is Mona! I’ll see you again soon!” she said smiling. She kissed him quickly on the lips and vanished. C.K woke up almost immediately after Mona disappeared from the dreamscape. C.K. worried about his dad and wondered how he would help this brave and beautiful young woman to escape the claws of Kitten, but he knew he would do all within his power to do so, even if it meant his life!

*****

Back at SHADOW HQ…

Colonel Amethyste Foxxe (Gamma Prime) went to Major Ravenwing’s quarters to see how she was dealing with her new fox persona. She rang the door signal and Grayson answered. Foxxe identified herself and Gray opened the door. As Foxxe stepped in she noticed that Gray had been crying. “Gray, what is it, honey? What’s wrong?” asked Foxxe. “Oh, nothing really it’s just that…I didn’t think I was capable of the savagery I inflicted on you and Tara!” said Gray flopping down on the couch, curling her shapely, red hosed legs under her firm round derriere, “I just wonder what would have happened if I’d lost the battle for my soul!”

“Never would have happened, Gray!” replied Foxxe confidently. “Why so sure?” said Gray smiling. “Because, my dear friend.” Foxxe said taking her hand, “You were never alone. You had the strength of those who care for and love you to draw from. The fight was fixed from the git-go! There was no way we were gonna lose you! Besides, who would I get to replace you! I just got you broken in!” The two friends laughed out loud. “I’ll always be here for you, Gray.” said Foxxe solemnly, “You know that.” “Yeah, I know.” Gray replied with a smile, “I mean, if I wasn’t around, whose butt would you have to rescue on missions?”

Foxxe laughed as she embraced her friend and said, “I’m glad you’re OK, Gray! I love you, my friend!” “I love you too…my little chocolate fox!” Gray said in a low sultry voice. Foxxe’s eyes widened as she drew back from embracing Gray. Her eyes were glowing red! The fox persona had emerged! “So, tickle me, willya! I’ll show you! GRRRAWWRR!” said the fox leaping for Foxxe’s throat. “Hey, cut that out!” said Foxxe, as she seized her wrists, barely keeping her claws at bay, “I thought we had a deal!” “Tickling wasn’t part of the agreement, Colonel!” said the fox, “I’m gonna get you for letting Tara tickle me!”

Foxxe had a look of genuine fear on her face until the fox started to laugh. Then Foxxe knew she was just playing. So Foxxe let ShadowFox out to play with her. They chased and pounced on each other, clawing and biting, but never hurting one another, for about an hour. They both fell on Ravenwing’s comfy couch, exhausted. ShadowFox turned to her and asked, “So sister fox, have you thought of a name for yourself yet? You know how much these SHADOW folks love code names!” “Gray and I have been thinking about that one, now that you mention it, Shadow.” said the fox woman, “Take a look at my new costume and I’ll tell you what we came up with!”

She concentrated for a moment and there was a flash of light. Major Grayson Ravenwing’s Gamma Section uniform was gone. It had been replaced with something more appropriate to the fox’s persona. The garment was basically still red, but a much darker red, as if the garment were black with dark red highlights. Her hair was still basically the same. Her black silky tresses were pulled up on top of her head in a pony tail, secured by a dark red metal band. The mask was constructed in the same pattern, just black with red highlights.

The Native-American beauty’s lips were covered in a deep red stick, her lovely mouth sporting her sharp fangs and teeth in a wide grin. The skin-tight leotard she wore was the same color as the mask, covering her from the bottom of the mask, down her shapely body, out to the wrists and between her hosed legs. Her hands, as before, were paw-like, tipped with black razor-sharp claws. Her splendidly shaped legs were covered in gossamer sheer, glistening black hose. The hose had been specially designed to allow her toe claws to be bared without tearing the thin looking sheer leg wear. The standard SHADOW belt was around her waist, because it seemed that Major Ravenwing’s cloaking implant wouldn’t function while she was in fox form. The belt’s links were solid black with glowing red jewels similar to rubies.

“Well Shadow, what do you think?” asked the fox. “WOW! You look fabulous!” “Do you really think so?” she asked. “Finger lickin’ good, sis!” said ShadowFox, “What name have you chosen to go with this marvelous outfit?” “Well, Gray and I tossed around several names, but ruled out most of them right off the bat, like SuperFox, WonderFox and LadyFoxwing.” said the fox, “She liked DarkwingFox, but I figured that by the time somebody yelled, ‘DarkwingFox, look out!’, I’d could be dead! So we compromised. How’s DarkFox grab you?”

“Hmmm, DarkFox, eh?” mused ShadowFox, “I like it!” “I told Gray you’d like it!” she said proudly, “DarkFox it is! Shadow, with our powers combined, Kitten won’t stand a chance!” “You dadgum skippy, girlfriend!” said ShadowFox, “That alley cat had better say her prayers, for real! She’ll never know what hit her!”

*****

Elsewhere in SHADOW HQ…

Alva was walking around SHADOW HQ, marveling at the super powered personnel, the fantastic technological wonders all around her. She began to notice that the activity level had suddenly picked up over the last 3 or 4 hours. She asked a couple of the super-girls whizzing about, what was going on. No one would tell her anything. Infuriated, she went straight to General Hawkins quarters and rang the door signal. Hawkins opened the door and she barged right in. “Alright Hawk, what the hell is going on?” Alva demanded. “It’s nice to see you too, Alva!” said Hawkins, “Enjoying your stay with us?” Alva glared at him, not finding his comments amusing. ”OK Alva, perhaps it might help, if you wouldn’t mind, to tell me what you’re referring to, so I’ll know what it is you want to know!”

“These super-ladies of yours are running around here like they’re mobilizing for Iwo Jima, but they won’t tell me what the big deal is!” said Alva, with obvious frustration. “They’re not supposed to give information to civilians without authorization, Alva!” said Hawkins, “In case you forgot, this is whole organization is extremely Top Secret! As far as the rest of the world is concerned, this place, these people, hell Alva, even I don’t officially exist!” “Oh, yeah. Sorry, I forgot about that.” she said sheepishly, “Well Hawk, can you tell me if it’s anything to do with C.K.? Have you found him? Is my baby OK?”

“In order of asking…” replied Hawkins, “It has everything to do with C.K., we have found him and yes, he’s OK. We’re going in tomorrow evening to get him out and destroy this creature that’s got him once and for all!” “I’m going with you, Hawk!” said Alva. “Absolutely not! It’s far too dangerous and I won’t be responsible for telling my son that his mother died when I could protect her from danger!” answered Hawkins, “That is my final word!” “NO! I’m going! He’s my son, too! And there’s nothing you can do to stop me!” shouted Alva, attempting to influence his mind. “But there is something I can do!” said a sultry female voice from another part of the room.

Alva hadn’t sensed anyone else in the General’s living room all the time she had been there and was startled by the voice. She quickly turned in the direction of the sound and gasped at what she saw. The SHADOWCat stared at her from the corner of the room, her beautiful green eyes smoldering, as she slowly padded toward Alva, her sleek, skin tight garments glistening as she came into the light. A look of horror came over her face as Frankie approached. Frankie smiled, baring her fangs and hissed loudly. The hissing sound woke Hawkins from the psychic stupor he had been put in by Alva’s power.

The sight that greeted his eye when he came to himself almost made him laugh as Frankie was scaring the ever lovin’ bejeezus out of his ex-wife. Alva shouted, “NO! Please, keep away from me!” “You attacked the mind of the man I love!” said Frankie, “I’m going to…punish you for that! When Mi General gives his final word, it is not to be questioned!” Alva tried to assault Frankie’s mind to keep her away from her, but Frankie laughed and hissed, “I can feel your feeble attempts to influence my mind, Alva! You are not nearly powerful enough to do that! Now, you’re mine!” Frankie uttered a puma-like scream and pounced on Alva. Alva screamed bloody murder as Frankie’s fangs descended toward her throat.

Frankie grabbed a handful of hair at the back of Alva’s head and yanked it hard exposing the soft flesh of her lovely neck. Frankie gave another puma scream, bared her fangs even more and slowly brought her wide open mouth toward Alva’s throat, all the time ignoring her pleas to spare her life. Just as Alva felt Frankie’s soft lips and needle sharp fangs touching the warm flesh of the area covering her jugular, she heard, “Frankie, NO!”

Frankie pulled back and looked over at Hawkins and after making sure Alva’s eyes were still closed, smiled and winked at him. Hawkins could barely keep a straight face, but cleared his throat and said, “Release her immediately, SHADOWCat!” “Oh please, Mi General, just let me have her for a few moments!” Frankie playfully begged, “I promise I won’t harm her…permanently!” “Hawk, please, NO!” pleaded Alva, “You wouldn’t let her, would you?” “I am sorely tempted, Alva!” said Hawkins summoning the sentry, “But not this time. Frankie, let her go.” Frankie growled and slowly released her prey, but softly whispered, “Next time, tasty one! I love Italian!”

The sentry arrived and General Hawkins admitted the two athletically built security officers. “Ladies, the former Mrs. Hawkins is confined to her quarters until after tomorrow night’s operation.” ordered Hawkins, “The guard outside her door is to be equipped with psychic dampening headgear and she is not to leave the guest quarters for any reason without my direct voiceprint confirmation, clear?” “As crystal, sir!” said the security Captain, “Mrs. Hawkins, after you.”

As Alva began to leave Hawkins said, “And Alva…” Alva turned to look at him, hoping he’d changed his mind. He continued, “I wouldn’t try to get out of your quarters any other way. You never can tell where The SHADOWCat may be lurking and, uh, I may not be around to stop her next time!” She looked at Frankie, who stared at her intently and licked her lips, her green eyes glowing. Alva quickly left the room, almost running from it.

Once the door hissed shut behind the security officer bringing up the rear, Frankie crossed the room to Hawkins and embraced him. They looked into each other eyes…and burst into hysterical laughter! Frankie laughed so hard, she thought she would wet herself! Hawkins could barely breathe. Once they finally stopped, Frankie said, “Well, Mi Amor, that should keep her out of trouble for a while!” “Yeah, I think that little act of yours should scare her enough to make her think twice about coming out of her quarters too soon!” said Hawkins with a chuckle, “You almost had me believing you, for a minute!” “Don’t think for a minute that I didn’t want to bite her for what she tried to do, Mi Amor!” said Frankie, “You were the only thing between her and a sharp little reminder bite!”

“Well, we don’t have the time to waste on stuff like that, Frankie!” said Hawkins, “We’ve got some bad kittens to kill tomorrow night and I want everybody ready! I have a feeling that this may not be as easy as we believe it’s going to be!” “Oh come on, Hawk!” said Frankie rolling her eyes, “She only got two hench-kitties with her! It’ll be a snap! You’ll see!” “I hope you’re right, sweetheart!” said General Hawkins, “I hope to God you’re right!”

TO BE CONCLUDED…in Episode VIII: The Mad Kitten’s Dinner Party!

[superpics4les]

Here, at long last, is the conclusion! Sorry it took so long to post. Real life tends to call attention to itself.

*****

Episode VIII: The Mad Kitten’s Dinner Party!

SHADOW HQ, General Hawkins’ Situation Room

“Ladies, this meeting will be very brief.” said the General, “It’s a simple search and rescue of our people and termination of all enemy personnel.” “The old snatch, grab and frag. Is that it, General?” asked Colonel Foxxe. Hawkins smiled and replied, “Pretty much, Colonel, except for three important exceptions: One, we have a special out of town guest who is to be left alone with our dinner hostess after we’ve secured the perimeter, Lt. K’anu Zzornz. No one else is to interfere. Two, we don’t know how many of our people are still alive in there. We can’t just annihilate the place from the off the face of the planet from orbit as I’d like or go in shooting everything that moves either. We have to play Kitten’s game until our people are safe. That leads me to my third point. My son, my only child, so far, is Kitten’s prisoner. If that…creature harms my boy in anyway or he is hurt because somebody on my assault team didn’t follow orders, that particular person will wish that Kitten had killed them…slowly. CLEAR??”

“YES, SIR!!” the entire room shouted. General Hawkins walked around the desk to the front of the room and said, “Alright, here’s the plot, ladies. Gamma Section alone will be used on this mission. There are only 150 members of Gamma, so this will be a covert assault. There will be two teams: Team One will be under the command of Colonel Foxxe. Team Two, under Major Ravenwing.”

Hawkins explained that Team One would be securing the perimeter of the large manor house and eliminating threats to the operation, while Team Two would be charged with finding and liberating SHADOW personnel and the General’s son. Three command level officers would be on each team. Team One’s command staff would be Colonel Foxxe (Gamma Prime/ShadowFox), Lt. Zzornz (Killer Bee) and Lt. Sparky, recently transferred from Alpha Section. Team Two’s command staff was Major Ravenwing (DarkWing/DarkFox), Capt. Chen (FireFly) and Dr. de Winter (Shiver).

The rest of each team would consist of the best of the SHADOW Stealth Agents and War Agents that Colonel Foxxe had recruited from all over SHADOW since the CLAW Affair. 72 of these highly trained and lethal agents were placed on each team. In the midst of Hawkins’ detailing of the assault team’s composition, a hand went up. “Yes, agent?” responded the General. “Begging your pardon sir, but may I ask why we’re taking the whole section to go up against a force of three individuals?” asked the young agent. The General chuckled and replied, “What’s your name agent?” “Johnston, sir. Codename: Fallout.” she replied.

“Well, I‘ve been expecting this question, Agent Johnston, since I started this briefing and it’s a reasonable question with a very specific answer.” answered Hawkins, “According to the psychic scans of Kitten’s mind, performed by Senior Agent Tara Monroe while protecting CELIA from enemy infiltration, which you will see on page 21 of your mission brief, Kitten is not your average super-villainess, but is part arch-demon. As such, according to research done by our master archivist, Lt. Sparky, she could call on the demonic minions of the 8th Realm to fight on her behalf. Hopefully, this will not be the case, but if it is so, we’ll end up with more than just a skeleton force could possibly handle. In case of reinforcement from the 8th Realm, Omega section is also on stand by. I hope that answers your question, Johnston.”

“Yes sir, it certainly does! Thank you, sir!” replied Agent Johnston. “Any other questions?” asked Hawkins. He looked around the room at the faces of Gamma Section. No one raised a hand. Hawkins smiled and said, “Very well, then. Study these mission briefs extremely well over the next few hours! They could save your lives! You ladies are members of Gamma Section, hand picked by Colonel Amethyste Foxxe, one of the two finest combat officers I’ve ever served with! If you couldn’t get the job done, you wouldn’t be sitting here right now! You will fight, you will win and you will make her and me proud! IS THAT CLEAR??” “SIR, YES, SIR!!” the super-powered female assembly shouted in reply. “Company, dismissed!” said General Hawkins.

As the assembly left the room, Hawkins went over to Frankie and said, “Sweetheart, can we talk?” “Why do I have the feeling I’m not going to like this?” said Frankie smiling. The couple went over to two chairs near them and sat down. “Frankie, you know I respect you and I also know you’re one of the strongest, most skilled warriors I’ve ever seen.” he began, “But I need you to do something for me.” Frankie softly caressed Hawkins face and replied, “What is it that you want me to do?” “I need you to drop back from the battle as soon as it begins.” said Hawkins, “I want you to stay out of it.” “ARE YOU LOCO, HAWK!!” she screamed, “NO WAY!” “Baby, please!! Listen to me! Hear me out!” said Hawkins. Frankie stopped her tirade before it began, hyperventilating.

“Frankie, I love you and you’re carrying my child. I don’t want anything to happen to you or the baby!” said Hawkins, “I need you to be safe for that reason. Can you understand that?” “Yes, I suppose so, Hawk!” said Frankie, dropping her head, “I’m sorry. I didn’t think about that, Popi. But how can I stay out of harm’s way, if I’m one of the guests of honor at this little fiesta?” “Simple, Frankie.” answered Hawkins, “As soon as the ‘balloon goes up’ and the fiesta begins, Team Two will take the battle away from you and our precious little bundle. All you have to do is stay out of it, OK?” “Alright, Popi. We’ll try it your way.” Frankie conceded, “But, if I have to defend myself…” “Then do what you do best, baby!” smiled Hawkins, “Open up an ice cold case of ‘whoop-ass’ on ‘em!”

Frankie laughed and put her arms around Hawkins’ neck and said,”Have I told you lately that I love you?” “Not in the last hour or so, no.” he replied with a smile. “Oh, you poor deprived man!” said Frankie, “I really must rectify this immediately!” She pulled him closer and forcefully kissed him, her mouth almost devouring his. When she finally released him, Frankie asked, “Is there any doubt in your mind now, Popi?” “Not a shred, chiquita!” gasped Hawkins, “You just watch yourself tonight, baby. I don’t want anything to interfere with our family.” “Popi, is that a proposal?” asked Frankie with a smile. “Was it too vague?” he replied with a grin. “No, Mi Amor, it came through loud and clear!” said Frankie, kissing him again. The happy couple left the briefing room arm-in-arm, knowing that any nuptial planning would have to wait until after the night’s mission…if they survived!

*****

1345 hours, Elsewhere in SHADOW HQ…

Colonel Foxxe decided to pay a visit to Lt. K’anu Zzornz (Killer Bee) in her quarters. K’anu answered the door signal and admitted Foxxe. “So, Lieutenant, tonight’s the big night!” said Foxxe sitting on the couch, “You ready?” “Colonel, I’ve been ready to kill Kitten since I arrived!” replied K’anu with a smile, “I just wish the hour would hurry up and come!” “The T’Kelmak is making your blood burn isn’t it?” asked Foxxe. K’anu looked at Foxxe with a surprised expression and said, “How do you know of the T’Kelmak and its effects on the Krellan people?” “K’arol and I had grown close since she joined SHADOW and graduated from the academy.” explained Foxxe, “I was chosen to be her advisor during her final academy term and remained so for her first year on active duty. Actually, she taught me as much about your people, as I taught her about SHADOW.”

“I see.” said K’anu, “Did she share the Krellan warrior’s most intimate secret? Did she share the reason why no enemy has conquered the Federation in all the known history of our people?” “No, I would think I’d remember that one.” replied Foxxe. “Well, you may get to see it firsthand tonight, Colonel.” said K’anu staring out into empty space, “But be warned, it is not for the squeamish and it is a secret that must be kept at all costs.” “I understand, K’anu.” replied Foxxe, “You may rely on my discretion.” “Oh, I had no doubts about you, Colonel.” said K’anu with a slight smile, “I was speaking of the other members of Gamma Section who may see it. Will they also be discreet?” “You have my word on that, K’anu.” said Foxxe, putting her hand on her shoulder, “The Gamma Girls are a family. What goes on in the family, stays in the family.”

“Would I be…welcome in this family, Colonel?” said K’anu, looking deeply into Foxxe’s eyes. “Absolutely, K’anu, if you wish to stay.” answered Foxxe, with a smile, “However I must ask you, is there no sacred duty back home that you must perform?” K’anu smiled and replied, “Colonel, there is no more sacred duty for a Krellan than to one’s family. Honoring those who have passed on is a very important duty, even rivaling service to protect the homeworld. I can think of no higher calling than to stand in my sister’s stead to serve the Earth and the rest of our galaxy as a member of SHADOW, if you will have me after tonight.” Foxxe rose from her seat, bowed slightly and said, “It would be a great honor to SHADOW, Gamma Section and to K’arol’s memory to have you join us Zzornz-Alaz.” K’anu, who stood when Foxxe did, shed two tears and bowed reverently.

“Thank you, Colonel.” said K’anu, “You have no idea how much this means to me.” “You’re welcome, K’anu.” replied Foxxe, “I know you think your secret might shock us, but I think it wouldn’t be too premature to say again, Welcome to the Gamma Girls, Lieutenant Zzornz!” “Well, we’ll see, Colonel Foxxe, we’ll see!”

*****

1524 hours, Medical Section, MedBay Administration Office…

Doctor Greta de Winter (Shiver) was sitting at her large desk going over the mission briefing, when there was a knock at the door. “Come.” she answered. General Hawkins stepped in and shut the door behind him. “Hello, General.” greeted de Winter, “Come to check on your articles?” “Yes indeed, Doctor.” said Hawkins, “How are things coming?” “Well, assuming this is still a secret, I couldn’t send you a report.” said de Winter, “And with all the activity lately, I haven’t had time for a visit to tell you.” “You mean…” began the General. “Yes General, they’re finished!” said Dr. de Winter with great delight, “It’s a pity we won’t have time to get them installed and activated for tonight’s little soiree, but we can get them taken care of as soon as we get back.”

“Doc, get these prepped for installation as soon as possible.” said Hawkins, “I want these online the instant we return!” “Yes, Sir!” said de Winter, “Do you think Frankie suspects anything about what we’ve been doing? I mean, you two have been practically inseparable, as close as you’ve gotten!” “I doubt it very much, Greta.” said Hawkins, “She’s had her attention on Kitten, Alva and the baby for the past few weeks at least. She doesn’t suspect a thing! I can’t wait ‘til she sees this! She’ll flip!” “That she will indeed, General!” said de Winter smiling, “We’ll be ready the moment the mission is accomplished!” “Thanks, Doc, for everything!” said Hawkins, “Carry on!” “Yes, Sir!” said de Winter giving a smart salute. Hawkins grinned, returned the salute and departed.

*****

1730 hours, Kitten’s Hideaway...

C.K. noticed that Kat had been growing distant in the last day or so. He surreptitiously scanned her and confirmed that the information Mona had given him was true. He also discovered a dichotomic thought process within her. Kat/Kitten had truly developed feelings for him and it was causing conflict within her psyche. C.K. smiled and thought, “This could work to my advantage later tonight! It could even help me save Mona! If she kisses like that in my mind, I can hardly wait for the real thing!” Suddenly, C.K. felt a little guilty for thinking this way. If Kat had truly developed these feelings, perhaps she could change. He was wondering if he should give her the chance to do so when his musings were interrupted by Kat/Kitten’s return to the bedroom.

C.K pretended to be asleep when she entered. He noticed that she scanned him nearly every time they were in the same room together. She seemed to enjoy being in his mind, reveling in the love and intimacy she felt from him. Although, now there was a place she couldn’t reach, a place blocked off from her scans, a place that only one person had the golden key to, a place where he held the truth. Kitten shape shifted to her true form and slinked over to the large 4 posted California King where the two had shared hours of passion. She felt that there was no more need for subterfuge or deception now. C.K. would be officially introduced to the real Kitten.

Kitten crept up C.K.’s body, purring softly. C.K “woke up” and pretended to be startled at her appearance, although he remembered her form from the previous encounters with her mind. “Who or what the hell are you??” he exclaimed. “It’s OK, baby. It’s me…Kat!” replied Kitten, her large green eyes glowing softly. “Kat? Is it really you?” asked C.K. “Yes, my darling. It is.” she said. “Geez, Kat!” C.K. said feigning surprise, “I had no idea! I mean, I thought I heard you purr a few times, but WOW!” “You always made me purr, baby!” she said lying next to him, propping her head with her elbow resting on the pillow, “That’s why I love you so! Well, Mr. Hawkins, do you still want to marry me, now that you’ve seen the real me?”

“To be honest, I’d have to think about it, sweetheart!” he said cautiously, “I mean, do I really know you, Kat?” “Please call me Kitten.” she said with a smile, “And yes, you do know me. The only thing I hid from you was my form, not my heart, baby. I truly do love you, C.K.” C.K. felt her emotion behind her words. She was telling the truth! She really did love him! “Hey, why the heck not!” said C.K., “What’s the worst that could happen, right?” Kitten moved on him quickly and embraced him so tight, he couldn’t breathe. She quickly apologized and released him, checking to see if she had injured him. “Man, that was some hug, my feline fiancée!” said C.K. trying to get his breath back, “You gotta be more careful, baby! After all, I’m only human!”

“We can fix that too, C.K.” said Kitten with an excited look. “Really? How?” he replied. “I can change you into what I am, I think.” answered Kitten. “You think?” he asked pointedly, “Honey, you need to be sure about this! Is there someone you can ask about this? I mean, to be sure?” “Of course, wait here.” she said, springing up form the bed, headed toward the master bath. “Where are you going?” asked C.K. Kitten stopped and turned toward him with a smile and replied, “To make a call, lover. I’ll be right back!” Kitten continued through the door of the bathroom and shut it with a wave of her clawed, paw-like hand. “You’d better hurry, baby!” called C.K. after her, “My dad’s gonna be here in 25 minutes and he’s always on time!”

*****

1740 hours, SHADOW Operations Command, Mass Transport Area…

The Gamma Section strike team had assembled near the massive Matter Transport grid used by SHADOW to nigh instantaneously transport smaller ships, troops and equipment to designated areas for operations. The whole of Gamma Section was gathered here to make a last minute check of their equipment before the beginning of the operation that the General had designated, “Operation: Mad Tea Party”. The command staff for the mission was in final strategy briefing in a small conference room above the staging area.

Lieutenant Sparky was looking out over the awesome display of super feminine pulchritude with a nervous look. Major Ravenwing walked over to her and squatted down to her level and said with a smile, “Sparky, you OK?” “Oh yes, of course Major, never better!” she replied, still staring at the team that would be under her command. Ravenwing just smiled and stared at her for a moment until Sparky turned toward her and said, “OK, OK, so I’m a little nervous!” The Major’s smiling stare continued. “OK, so I’m real nervous!” she finally admitted. “Sparky, it’s your first command, lady!” said Ravenwing, “You’re supposed to be nervous! It’s not my first and I still get butterflies before a mission! Don’t worry about it! If we didn’t believe you could do it, we wouldn’t have brought you over to Gamma Section!”

“Thanks, Major. I needed that!” said Sparky. “No problem, girlfriend!” said Ravenwing with a big smile as she walked over to the conference table and sat down next to Colonel Foxxe. Foxxe smiled at her as she sat and said, “Nice job, Gray. I remember when I gave you that speech.” “So do I, Amie.” replied Ravenwing with a smile, “It was my first command. We were going after that creep…oh, what was his name?” “The Weather Master.” replied Foxxe. “Oh, yeah, that was it!” said Gray, “He wanted to hold the Earth for ransom, but didn’t want money, he wanted control, power!” “How’d your team take him down? I forget.” said Foxxe.

“I figured out what his power source was, based on something he said.” explained Ravenwing, “I knew it wasn’t a science based source, ‘cause no matter what we tried, with all the Alphan and Proximan technology we had we still couldn’t stop him. Then he said, ‘To defeat me you’d have to be a god!’ That’s when I knew what he was using. I figured that he was a meteoropath, a mutant like Storm of the X-Men. So I told my team to continue their assault on his HQ and the machine that he purported to be his source of power, while I flew through the eye of the hurricane he had created to protect himself and shot him with a neuro-transmitter inhibitor dart. He and his much vaunted ‘god-like’ powers folded like a house of cards.”

“That’s when Omega gave you that fancy gun of yours, right?” asked Foxxe. Ravenwing laughed and said, “Yeah. It’s a particle beam weapon, but it can also launch projectiles as well. I borrowed it from her to administer the drug into The Weather Master’s system. She said it was the finest shot in a gale force wind that she had ever seen. She gave it to me as a reward and because she said the weapon had bonded to me. I didn’t understand at the time but, Proximan weapons bond to their users and apparently I had impressed the weapon with my willingness for self-sacrifice and my determination. I’ve carried her on every mission ever since and she’s never failed me.”

“She?? asked Foxxe, “You never told me about this, Gray.” “I didn’t?” she said quizzically, “Well, she’s actually saved my life a few times by jumping into my hand when I needed her most and firing by mental command as well.” “Wow! That’s some gun!” said Foxxe. Ravenwing pulled the weapon from its holster and said, “Yeah, she’s my friend, too! Aren’t you, sweetheart?” The gun’s indicator lights flashed on and off, then glowed softly. Major Ravenwing kissed the pistol gently and put it away. Ravenwing was suddenly conscious of everyone in the room staring at her.

“Hey, don’t look at me like I’m crazy!” she said with a grin, “You guys have kissed inanimate objects before! At least, mine is really alive!” Gamma Section’s command staff burst into laughter, just as General Hawkins, SHADOWCat and Omega Prime walked in. “Flag Officer on deck!” shouted a team member. The entire room snapped to attention. “As you were.” said Hawkins, “Now, what did I just walk into, that had you all in stitches?” Colonel Foxxe related the story as Major Ravenwing related it. Hawkins looked at Omega and asked, “Is this accurate, Omega? Do all Proximan weapons do this?”

“Not all, General, just the special ones.” said Omega, smiling at Major Ravenwing, “Actually, the Major did impress my little friend in her holster quite a bit. So much so that she asked me to give her to Grayson. She felt a kindred spirit in her. So I let her go.” “Man, that’s some gun!” said Hawkins. “Yes, she is!” said Ravenwing. “OK, enough small talk! Let’s get down to business!” remarked Hawkins, “Lay out the time table for me. CELIA?” At the General’s command, a holographic display of Kitten’s manor house appeared on the table top, based on the blueprints and plans found in the city archives computer.

Foxxe explained, “We transport the strike force several kilometers down the road at 1755 hours. We allow time for the General and Frankie to drive down the road, go inside, meet and greet and give Team 2 time to get in position to enter the house in stealth mode. Team 1 will enter the house in stealth mode also, but will be closer to the dining area. When Kitten makes her move, Team 1 will act to protect the General and eliminate the hench-kitties, leaving Kitten to the tender care of Lt. Zzornz. Meanwhile, Team 2, who should have located our people by this time, will secure the General’s son and any SHADOW personnel who are still alive and remove them from the premises. Once all personnel are accounted for, Team 1 will destroy the house with anyone else in it that’s working with Kitten.”

“Simple and neat, Colonel. My complements!” said Hawkins, “Contingency?” “Thank you, Sir.” Foxxe replied, “If as you say there are more hostiles due to Kitten’s lineage and we find ourselves overwhelmed, strike teams and rescued personnel will regroup in the main hall and backup troops from Omega Section will transport directly into the main hall and the two large rooms directly across the hall. The hostiles will be busy trying get into the one room where they think we will all be holed up in. When the personnel transport is complete, we’ll open the main hall doors and attack them as they enter. The troops in the other two rooms will attack from the rear and ‘squeeze’ them into another incarnation. After all is secure and the mop-up is complete, we’ll blow the house as planned.”

“Excellent work, Colonel!” said Hawkins, “Well planned, as always!” Foxxe nodded. “Any questions?” asked Hawkins. No reply. “Very well, then.” said Hawkins, “Let me make this clear, the objective is not revenge on Kitten for the murder of Lt. K’arol Zzornz. We’ve got 3 people in there, which we know of, that need to be liberated: My son, C.K. Hawkins, Captain Mona Lisa Calderone, and Gamma Section Agent Darcy Weaver. Getting them out alive is our primary objective. All other considerations are secondary, understood?” “Yes, Sir!” said Gamma Section in unison. “Then let’s move out, ladies!” ordered Hawkins.

*****

1750 hours, Kitten’s Hideaway, Master Bath…

“WHAT???” shouted Dontarius, Lord of the 8th Realm, “HAVE YOU LOST YOUR MIND, KATIMA???” “No, Father, just my heart.” said Kitten, her head hung down. “Princess, I thought you wanted to slaughter him before his father as revenge for what he did to you.” said Dontarius, regaining his composure, “Now you want to turn him and marry him?? Do you have any idea what kind of trend this would set if I allowed this to take place?? I’m sorry, baby, but the answer is no! I cannot allow this to continue, you have until midnight tonight to clean up this mess or the punishment will be administered!” “But, Father…” complained Kitten. “ENOUGH!!” bellowed the demon lord, “You have a little more than 6 Earth realm hours remaining, Katima. Use them wisely!” Having spoken thus, the image of Dontarius faded from the mirror.

Kitten was devastated. She fell to her knees weeping uncontrollably with heavy sobs. After a minute of this, she composed herself, thankful that the noise canceling spell was still on the door, and stood to her feet. It was clear to her now what she needed to do. Kitten shape shifted into Kat and dressed for dinner. She wore a slinky black satin evening dress with a neckline that plunged to just above her navel, the back was cut in a “V” from her shoulders to just above her waist and a thigh high slit was in the front on the right side. She accessorized the outfit with a Harry Winston Wreath diamond necklace with matching earrings, a diamond tennis bracelet, black real silk pantyhose with back seams and black patent leather slingback pumps with satin bows, studded with diamonds.

When she stepped out of the bathroom/dressing area, C.K. could barely breathe. “I hope this will impress your dad, C.K.” said Kat with her characteristic grin. “I’m not sure if I want him to see you like this.” said C.K., “He may want you for himself!” Kat laughed and said, “I’m going down to check on dinner. Come on down when you finish dressing. By the way, do you like the tux?” “Are you kidding?” he said incredulously, “It makes me look like James Bond!” “Nahhh! You’re a whole helluva lot cuter!” said Kat caressing his face. She walked over to him and kissed him passionately, then walked away quickly, exiting the suite, closing the double doors behind her.

On the way down the plush winding staircase, Kat’s smile faded quickly. She didn’t want to kill C.K., but her father’s edict really didn’t offer much of a choice. The plan was of her own making, now she had to carry it out, no matter what.

1755 hours, 5 km. down Country Club Drive from Kitten’s Hideaway…

The matter transport sequence from SHADOW HQ was complete. All personnel and equipment had arrived safely and without incident. The General’s champagne Jaguar Vanden Plas was unloaded and brought to the edge of the road. He and Frankie activated their formal wear holograms, he wearing an elegant tux and she wearing a holographic copy of a black Christian Dior original with red satin trim and matching accessories. Hawkins looked at Frankie shook his head and said, “My complements to whoever designed your hologram, sweetheart! You look fabulous!” “Why, thank you, General, I did that!” said Sparky, “I thought she’d look good in black!” “As usual, Sparky, you were not wrong!” replied Hawkins, “Come on, baby! Let’s get this party started!”

*****

C.K. had just finished tying his silk bow tie, when he felt a presence in the room with him. He smiled when he recognized it. It was Mona. He sat down in a comfortable chair and closed his eyes. “Mona, are you there?” he called out psychically. “Yes, here I am.” he heard her reply, “Over here.” They were back in the garden of C.K.’s mind again. Mona had used the “key” C.K. had given her to gain entry to his secret place. When Mona saw him in his tux, she gave a wolf whistle and said, “You look good enough to eat, C.K.! Will you take me out looking like this if we get out of this alive?” “When we get out of this alive, Mona!” said C.K., “You bet I will! I promise! I won’t leave here without you!”

“That’s sweet of you to say, babes, but I won’t be here.” Mona explained, “Kitten’s sending me to SHADOW HQ about 5 minutes after your father arrives to attack and destroy it!” “Can’t we warn them somehow?” asked C.K. “I can’t do it without alerting my pro-Kitten alter ego to my existence.” answered Mona, “If I’m discovered, Kitten will kill me for sure!” “Can I send the message for you, Mona?” asked C.K. “Yes…maybe you can!” said Mona, “It shouldn’t be that hard. OK, here’s the deal: I’m going to download a series of images to your mind and I’ll put it into a kind of psychic ‘zip file’ that can only be opened by its recipient.” “OK, shoot.” said C.K. Mona concentrated and soon C.K. felt a psychic jolt in his mind. “Whoa! That must be some file!” exclaimed C.K., “It felt like you dropped a brick wall on my head!” “Sorry, sweetie!” replied Mona, with a blush, “The encoding and extra instructions made it a little heavier than I thought! You OK?” “Yeah, no sweat!” said C.K., with a wink, “So, who am I sending this to?” “Her name is Tara Monroe and outside of me, she’s the most powerful psychic in SHADOW.”

“That’s another time you’ve mentioned this SHADOW. What’s that?” asked C.K. Mona smiled and said, “That’s your dad’s big secret, baby! I’ll let him explain it to you. I’m sending you an image of Tara so you can focus your thoughts to deliver the message.” Mona “uploaded” a mental image of Tara to C.K.’s mind. C.K. smiled and said, “Holy mackerel! Are all you SHADOW operatives babes or what? She’s gorgeous!” “Hey, Mr. Hawkins!” said Mona raising an eyebrow, “Keep your mind on business, paisan!” “Relax, sweetie!” said C.K. grinning, “I’m just admiring the scenery!” “Oh, yeah? Well, admire this, baby!” said Mona. She grabbed him by both sides of his head pulled his mouth on top of hers and kissed him passionately, exploring his mouth with her tongue. After she released him, C.K. was totally consumed with passion for her. He reached for Mona’s athletic body, but she stopped him saying, “Ah, ah, ah! After the mission, Mr. Hawkins! After the mission!” “Rats!” said C.K. as Mona’s smiling visage faded from view.

C.K. now refocused his psychic energies on Tara. Soon, she appeared in C.K.’s mind dressed in her SHADOW uniform. “How did I get here?” Tara asked, “Who the…C.K.? Is that you?” “You know me?” asked C.K. “I most certainly do!” said Tara, “From being in your mother’s mind. Are you alright?” “Yes, but that’s not important now.” replied C.K., “I have a message for you.” “A message?” she asked, “From whom?” “From Mona.” He answered. “I’m glad she’s still alive!” said Tara, “Please give it to me!” C.K. reached out and took her hand. The “zip file” transferred to her psyche immediately and opened, revealing its contents. Tara blinked as she assimilated the information and said, “Wow! That was some download!” “Yeah, I figured!” said C.K., “I felt how heavy it was when she gave it to me! Did everything come through OK? Do you know what to do?” Tara smiled and said, “Oh, yes! Mona is nothing if not thorough! I know exactly what to do! I just hope it will work! If it doesn’t, we may have to destroy her to protect SHADOW from our most powerful psychic weapon!”

*****

1800 hrs, in the circular front drive of Kitten’s Hideaway estate…

As General Hawkins’ Jaguar pulled up in front of the large imposing manor house, he said to Frankie, “Ready, babe?” “As ready as I’ll ever be!” she answered. “Then let’s go!” he replied. Hawkins got out and walked around to Frankie’s door to help her out of the luxurious vehicle. As he took her hand, she grinned, noticing that his eye never left her shimmering legs as she stood up from the soft leather seat. “Focus, Popi, focus!” she whispered in his ear, “Mission now, legs later!” Hawkins smiled and replied, “I’ll hold you to that, baby!” The handsome couple walked toward the oak door arm in arm and used the wrought iron gargoyle’s head knocker to announce their presence.

They heard massive bolts and ancient locks being moved and worked. The large door swung open and instead of the large, spooky looking male butler they expected, there stood in the doorway a slim, shapely golden haired young woman with beautiful, almost glowing green eyes. She was tightly wrapped in a short green sequined party dress with no straps. Her shapely legs covered in a glossy, dark green, sheer hose, her feet adorned with strappy lime green high heeled sandals. “Welcome, General and Ms. De la Vega. My name is Jade.” she said with a sensuous smile trilling her shiny green lips, “Please come in! My mistress is eagerly anticipating your arrival!” “Well, let’s not keep her waiting any longer!” said Hawkins, as he smiled widely, both he and Frankie entering the domicile. Jade led Frankie and the General down the long central corridor, almost to the end where a gorgeous young Latina woman was standing near the doorway to a room where two torches burned in wall sconces located on either side of the entrance.

She was dressed similarly to Jade, also being tightly wrapped in her garment, except her sparkling sequined dress was dark red and off one shoulder. Her legs were a little more muscular, but just as shapely, covered in neon red sheer hose, wearing dainty high heeled red patent leather mules on her feet. “Hola and welcome, Mi General and Senorita!” she said, “I’m Ruby. Please be seated. I will let my mistress know you’re here!” The General smiled and nodded, following Ruby into the large, opulently decorated dining room, with Frankie on his arm. In the center of the room atop a plush red oriental runner, that covered the cold stone floor from one end to the other, was a long mahogany dining table set with many chairs. At the center, were four very high backed gilded chairs, like thrones, upholstered in purple velvet with gold embroidery, two on either side. Ruby led Hawkins and Frankie down the left side of the table toward the very special seats. Hawkins seated Frankie and then Ruby seated the General. Ruby and Jade excused themselves to call their mistress.

In front of each of the four throne-like chairs was a place setting fit for a king and queen. The plates were fine imported china with 18 karat gold rims. In the center of each plate was a purple fine linen napkin embroidered with gold thread around the edges. The flatware was solid gold and the glassware the General recognized as Swarovski crystal. “At least this alley-cat knows how to set a good table. “ thought Hawkins. Just then, Jade stepped into the room and announced, “May I present Princess Katherine Dralen and Mister Christopher Kenneth Hawkins!” Kat and C.K. came walking toward them, arm in arm. General Hawkins had to remind himself that the vision of loveliness coming toward him was Kitten in disguise, as the sight of her almost made him lose his breath.

The General smiled as he rose to greet his son. As they embraced, the General said, “C.K., thank God! I’ve been so worried! So has your mother, she sends her love!” “I’m perfectly fine, Dad!” said C.K. taking Kat’s hand, “Better than I’ve been in a long time!” “Well son, you haven’t done badly at all!” said Hawkins grinning, “Marrying into royalty! Your mother would be pleased!” “I hope so, General!” said Kat, “I look forward to meeting her as well!” “I’m sure!” said Hawkins. Kat and C.K. went around to the other side of the table and were seated by Ruby and Jade. As Kat sat opposite the General, she smiled and said, “I definitely see where C.K. gets his looks from!” Hawkins smiled, looked at C.K. and said, “Beauty, brains and bucks? She’s a keeper, son!” Everyone laughed in unison.

C.K. seated Kat and then sat beside her opposite Frankie. She smiled at C.K., but he could sense her thoughts of apprehension. He instantly knew that she was aware of who Kitten was, but more importantly so did his father. C.K. quickly masked Frankie and his father’s thoughts from Kat, hiding them from her behind the same kind of wall as his own. Kat thought it strange that they seemed to be blank slates to her, but paid it no mind for a while. The two couples engaged in idle banter for a few moments, the General checking his watch every few minutes. “General, are we keeping you from something?” asked Kat with a grin. “I’m sorry, my dear.” replied Hawkins, “Force of habit. I look at my watch every five minutes or so, to keep track of time. Here, let me turn it off for the remainder of our visit.”

Hawkins pressed the signal button to order Team 2 to commence their stealth entry into the house and begin their search for SHADOW personnel. Meanwhile, down in the dungeon Mona was given the go ahead to infiltrate and destroy SHADOW HQ. Her pro-Kitten personality wanted nothing more than to psychically tear apart every single person she could find on the base. She concentrated and projected her body through the ethereal plane, across the city and into the secret base. She materialized in the center of the training field for some reason, but it didn’t matter. She would find someone to kill soon enough.

*****

Elsewhere in the mansion, Team 2, led by Major Ravenwing, crept past the dining room where the two couples were chatting it up, and using penetrator technology located the secret stairway to the dungeon level. The team split into two squads, each checking one side of the wide, dank hallway’s set of doors. Most of the chambers were empty, but a few contained the rotting human remains of the cat-women’s voracious feeding habits. Captain Chen (Firefly) opened the high-tech lock on the door to the chamber that held Mona with relative ease and found it empty, except for the decomposing remains of what was once Agent Darcy Weaver. Sylvia Chen held back an enraged cry and motioned to Dr. de Winter to confirm the identification of the corpse. She did so by DNA scan and put her hand on Chen’s shoulder. Darcy had been under Chen’s authority since she was brought over to Omega Section and subsequently to Gamma Section by Colonel Foxxe and they had become fast friends.

Chen acknowledged her attempt at comfort, but she would mourn her friend later. Now, she had work to do. Next door to Mona’s cell was a chamber that was completely sealed and sound proofed. The door felt like solid steel, at least a foot thick and locked by the most intricate system Ravenwing had ever seen. Whoever or whatever was behind that door, Kitten didn’t intend for it to get free. She quickly called Chen over to try to get past the mechanism, but even her electronic and technical genius couldn’t defeat it. Suddenly, Chen smacked herself in the head with her palm and said, “Hiro.”

“Pardon?” asked Ravenwing. “Oh, I’m sorry. Dr. Heiachiro Tanaka, Major.” replied Chen, “My greatest adversary at MIT. He always tried and failed to stump me until he created this locking mechanism. The only lock I never got past. It was also the lock that ended his life.” “I don’t understand, Sly.” said Ravenwing. “The fool locked himself into a hermetically sealed chamber saying that he would succeed where I failed.” explained Chen, “Unfortunately, in his zeal, he forgot how to open it and asphyxiated before the door could be removed from its hinges to release him.” “I wonder how Kitten got her claws on it?” asked Ravenwing.

“Probably from his estate, I imagine.” said Chen studying the lock, “His widow has been selling off everything he had to pay back his sizable advances on proposed technologies.” “If no one can open this thing, whatever Kitten locked up in here, she must be awfully afraid of.” said Ravenwing, “Did you ever figure out how to get it open, Sly?” Sylvia flashed the Major a quick grin and said, “Well, he never let me near it after the first time I failed. He was probably afraid I’d eventually figure it out. Let me see what I can do.”

Meanwhile, Team 1, led by Colonel Foxxe also entered the manor house and took up their positions for the assault on Kitten and her PussyKats. As the assault team approached the dining room in stealth mode, Kat/Kitten picked up a scent she recognized and smiled. C.K. detected her mental excitement and seeing the look on her face asked, “Sweetheart, what is it?” “Oh, just some guests I’ve been expecting, baby.” said Kat looking across the table at General Hawkins, “Friends of your father’s, I imagine. So, Cyclops, you know don’t you?” “Yes indeed, Princess kitty-cat!” said Hawkins with a smile, “C.K. tipped it off when he called Frankie, ‘Panther’ during our little phone conversation.”

“Ah, I see!” said Kat with a Cheshire cat grin, “My bad! Well, now that we’ve breached the subject, shall we dispense with our subterfuge?” “By all means…Kitten!” At the mention of her name, Kat leaped toward General Hawkins, shape shifting in mid-air. Hawkins and Frankie deactivated their holographic after-five wear, rolled out of harm’s way and stood ready for action in their uniforms. The General was taken aback by Kitten’s size and powers and said, “My, my, how you’ve grown, Kitten!” “All the better to eat you, my dear General!” said Kitten, licking her lips. Frankie bared her 18” metal claws and said, “Not if I have anything to say about, little gata!” “Oh, I think you’ll be too busy worrying about yourself, Panther girl!” replied Kitten, “Jade! Ruby! Kill!”

“MRREEOWRRR!!” Jade and Ruby cried with hellish glee as they leaped toward Frankie, their claws bared, their true natures revealed. “Frankie, get out of here, now!” cried Hawkins, “You promised!” Reluctantly, Frankie took off for the exit, but was stopped by Jade and Ruby. “Leaving so soon, chica?” asked Ruby, her eyes glowing, “That’s awfully rude of you, isn’t it, Jade?” “It most certainly is, Ruby!” replied Jade, licking her ample green lips “After all the trouble we went through to decorate the place, set the table and everything, just so we could have you both…for dinner!” “Hawk, they’re not making this easy!” yelled Frankie to Hawkins. Hawkins, who was keeping a watchful eye on Kitten’s movements as she circled him, replied, “Well, like I said, if you can’t get out any other way, it’s whoop-ass time!”

“That’s what I’m talkin’ ‘bout, baby!” said Frankie. The PussyKats hissed loudly and attacked high and low simultaneously with almost supernatural speed. Frankie impaled Jade through the abdomen, coming in high and outside, but was knocked down by Ruby’s combination claw strike/tackle from below. Jade screamed bloody murder and collapsed to the floor, howling in desperate agony. Ruby was enraged by what Frankie’s claws had done to Jade and turned into a snarling, clawing machine, attempting to rend The SHADOWCat to pieces.

At the other end of the room, Kitten decided it was time to get to the business at hand and slowly slinked toward General Hawkins, her eyes glowing brightly. Just then, C.K. stood in front of her and said, “STOP! I won’t let you hurt my father, Kitten!” “Get out of my way, C.K.!” shouted Kitten angrily, “I’ll have my revenge on him now!” “If you ever loved me, you’ll stop this!” cried C.K. with tears in his eyes. “I do love you, C.K., but now I have no choice!” said Kitten, “Now move aside or I’ll…hurt you!” “Then that’s what you’ll have to do!” said C.K. defiantly. “Please don’t make me do this, C.K.!” begged Kitten, “I’ll rip right through you, if I have to!” “So be it, but I won’t let you harm my dad!” replied C.K.

Kitten roared and moved forward to attack C.K., but he stood his ground. Kitten’s claws came within a fraction of a centimeter from his face, making a violent swish as the red, razor-sharp implements cut the air. Kitten fell to her knees in front of C.K., sobbing. “I can’t kill you…I can’t…I can’t!” she said over and over again. She looked up into his eyes and said, “I love you, C.K., but I can’t change who I am or what I’ve done! My dark soul still wants to kill your father, but I will not hurt you to do it!” General Hawkins thought, “Well, I’ll be! This alley-cat really does love him! Now what?” “Ruby! Stop!” shouted Kitten, rising to her feet.

Ruby pulled back slowly, allowing Frankie to get up and sheathe her long claws. Ruby’s clothes and Frankie’s uniform hung in tatters. The two of them had clawed each other very badly, but their enhanced physiologies were already healing them. “Mistress, why did you stop me?” said Ruby breathlessly, “Would have had her blood in my throat!” “You would have had my claws in your throat you mean, little kitty!” said Frankie. “Oh, yeah…!!” said Ruby lunging at Frankie. “Enough! Go and sit down, Ruby!” ordered Kitten. Ruby growled, but obeyed, pouting as she did so.

C.K. took Kitten’s paw-like hand and said, “I knew you couldn’t do it, Kitten. I could sense the love in your heart for me and I have to confess that even though Mona told me who and what you were, I still had feelings for the part of you that I had come to know as Kat.” “And what about me?” asked Kitten, a tear rolling down her cheek, “Can you truly love a monster, a demonic creature that feeds on the blood and flesh of human beings?” “Well, as I heard in a movie once…” said C.K. with a smile, “If you were perfect, you wouldn’t still be single…would you?” Kitten smiled and hugged C.K. so hard he had difficulty breathing again. “Oops, sorry, lover!” said Kitten. “Why don’t you, uh…change and we can try it again.”

Kitten nodded and shape shifted back into Kat. Just as they were about to embrace, the ground began to shake and a booming voice bellowed, “KATIMA!! WHAT ARE YOU DOING?? YOU WERE ORDERED TO KILL THESE MORTALS!! WHY ARE THEY STILL ALIVE?? “Kat, what the heck is that??” asked C.K. “My father, Dontarius, Lord of the 8th Realm!” said Kat, “This isn’t over yet!”

*****

Meanwhile at SHADOW HQ…

The fabric of space-time wrinkled a bit and Mona’s glowing form stepped through the wall into the Main Concourse. “Funny, where is everyone?” Mona thought, “Even at this time of the evening, the Concourse is usually buzzing with activity.” “Quite right, Mona.” she heard in her mind. “Who the…” said Mona out loud. She looked up to see Tara Monroe floating down toward her. “Oh, it’s you, little Miss Second Best!” said Mona sarcastically, “You’d better get out of here while you have the chance Barbie doll! You could get hurt!” “I’ll ignore those snide comments, Mona.” Tara replied, I know you’re not yourself right now!” “I’m enough myself to know that I’ll kill you if you don’t get out of my way!” shouted Mona. “Do you hear yourself, Mona?” said Tara pointedly, “Do you hear what you’re saying? You’ve never killed anyone on purpose in your life!” Mona grinned evilly and hissed, “There’s a first time for everything Malibu Barbie! Last chance, bimbo! Run away and hide like everyone else or die where you stand!”

“Not a chance, Mona!” said Tara defiantly, “Bring it!” Mona growled and hurled a psychic energy bolt at Tara. She deftly avoided it and launched one of her own. As Tara’s mystic bolt headed for Mona’s position, Mona partially shifted into a parallel dimension, grinning as she did so. The bolt slammed into her and knocked her down anyway. Mona recovered quickly and said, “How’d you do that? I wasn’t even in this dimension!” Tara giggled and said, “Simple, Mona. I phased my energy so it would impact particles in any dimension occupying that particular space. Why? Can’t you do that? HAHAHAHAHA!” “Laugh at me, will you?” said Mona angrily, “Try this on for size!”

Mona concentrated, her beautiful brown eyes smoldering bright green. The ground and ceiling began to shake violently. Mona held her hands above her head and slowly pulled them apart. A large globe of green psychic energy formed above her head. “Uh oh!” Tara thought, as she watched, “She’s pulling out all the stops! I’d better be ready for this one!” Mona screamed and hurled the huge ball of psychic energy directly at Tara. She didn’t try to avoid it at all. She just stood there as the other Mona had told her to. As the ball reached her position, Tara screamed as if the weapon was working. Mona erupted into evil laughter. Unbeknownst to the evil Mona, Tara had been told by the real Mona, how to absorb the massive energies within the weapon.

The psychic weapon began to dissipate. Mona smiled thinking the energy had totally consumed Tara. As the ball disappeared completely, Mona was shocked to see Tara standing there, unharmed, her eyes blazing. “Aww, you look a little drained, Mona!” said Tara, “Here let me give you some juice!” Massively powerful beams of psychic energy lanced out from Tara’s glowing eyes and headed toward Mona. She countered with force of her own, but was no match for Tara’s mighty mental energy quadrupled by what she had absorbed from her. The energy smashed into Mona’s skull and burrowed deep within her psyche. Then it found its goal. The place where Mona’s true self had been hiding.

Evil Mona screamed, “NOOOOO! I want to live! Don’t destroy me! AIEEEEE!” Mona’s body collapsed to the floor, but Tara continued to supply the real Mona with the energy she needed to reassert herself. After several minutes, Tara sensed a change in the thought patterns she felt coming from Mona. She ceased pouring the energy into her psyche and cautiously approached her. “Mona? Are you, you again?” asked Tara. Mona sat up with tears in her eyes and said, “I had to destroy her, didn’t I? There was no other way, right? Tell me there was no other way, please!” Tara went to her knees and held Mona, who wept on her breast with heavy sobs. After a few moments, Mona collected herself and said, “Thank you, Tara! I owe you big for this!” “No problem, Mona!” said Tara with a big smile, “We telepaths have to stick together, right?” “Right!” said Mona hugging her, “Oh, I’ve got to get back to Kitten’s mansion. C.K. may be in danger!” “Don’t you think you’d better change first?” said Tara giggling.

Mona looked down and turned red with embarrassment. Her clothing had been so badly shredded by Kitten’s claws that her considerable womanly charms were clearly in view. Grinning sheepishly, Mona said, “Hmmm, you have a definite point there, Tara, but I’d better hurry. I get the feeling there’s gonna be a lot going on back there pretty soon!”

*****

Back at Kitten’s Mansion…

“KATIMA, I AWAIT AN ANSWER FROM YOU, DAUGHTER, AND BY LUCIFER’S BEARD, IT HAD BETTER BE A GOOD ONE!” said Dontarius. The voice came from two huge, glowing, disembodied eyes that floated in the air near the far end of the exquisitely decorated table. “Father, I love this man and he loves me.” said Kat gripping C.K.’s hand, “I’m going to stay with him. N…n…no matter what!” “SO YOU DEFY ME OPENLY FOR THIS…THIS MORTAL!!” bellowed Dontarius. Kat was visibly trembling and answered, “Yes Father, I do.” “VERY WELL THEN, KATIMA YOU HAVE BROUGHT THIS ON YOURSELF AND YOUR LITTLE MORTAL PARAMOUR!” the Lord of the 8th Realm answered, “JADE, ARISE, I COMMAND YOU!” Jade whimpered, but stood up. “DO YOU WISH TO RULE THIS, AND ALL YOUR MISTRESS’ POSSESSIONS?” he asked her. “Yes, my Lord!” said Jade with an evil grin. “AND WHAT OF YOU RUBY?” he asked, “DO YOU DESIRE THIS ALSO?” “I do my Lord!” replied Ruby, “I have been denied my kill! I want blood!”

Dontarius laughed and said, “THEN IT IS BLOOD AND FLESH YOU SHALL HAVE MY LITTLE ONES! BEHOLD, I GIVE YOU THE POWER TO OVERCOME THESE MORTALS! KILL THEM ALL, BUT UPON MY DAUGHTER LAY NOT YOUR CLAWS! I WILL DEAL WITH HER MYSELF! RECEIVE THE POWER OF THE DARK ESSENCE!” Suddenly, a black gelatinous looking substance flashed out from the huge glowing eyes. It flowed into the young cat-girl’s mouths and noses, making a gurgling sound as it did so. After a few seconds, the flow stopped and they fell to their knees. A moment later, they rose, turned toward Kat, C.K., Frankie and the General. Then they opened their eyes.

Frankie gasped in horror. The PussyKats eyes were totally black except for their pupils, which glowed bright red. Even Kat put her hand over her mouth and backed away from the grinning demonic cat-girls. The General’s mouth was open for a moment and he actually froze, rooted to the spot and said, “That is just downright scary! What the hell just happened?” “Think I can answer that for you General!” said a small voice next to him. The diminutive figure of Lt. Sparky appeared. “Sparky, what are you doing here?” said Hawkins. “Just doing my job as Master Archivist, sir!” replied Sparky, “These two were just filled with an ethereal ectoplasmic substance of pure evil called The Dark Essence. It is wielded by many of the minions of darkness who reside in the Nine Realms of the Netherworld. Their powers are now a match for Kitten’s! We should get out of here, now!”

Hawkins replied, “That would be a good idea, but I think our kitties aren’t going to make that too easy! LOOK!” The PussyKats laughed diabolically as they summoned more help to destroy their adversaries. Suddenly, the room was filled with unearthly flame. Stepping from the flames were demonic cat-like creatures of different sizes, shapes and claw lengths. “OH NO!” exclaimed Kat, “They’ve summoned my Mother’s entire clan! How many are with you General?” “Not enough Kat, but that can be remedied!” said Hawkins. The General spoke into his watch/wristcom, “Colonel, Major! Contingency, repeat, contingency! Fall back!” “Acknowledged, General! See you there!” replied Colonel Foxxe. Hawkins grabbed his son and Kat by the arms and quickly ran out of the huge dining room with the sharp clawed cat-demons close on their heels.

The General, Frankie, C.K. and Kat reached the main hall and bolted the door. The demons were battering on it immediately, desperately clawing at it, trying to get in. It wouldn’t hold long. “Colonel? Major? Are all personnel present and accounted for?” asked Hawkins. Both teams simultaneously dropped their cloaks and materialized. Colonel Foxxe and Major Ravenwing stepped forward and saluted. “All personnel are present sir, but there’s been an interesting discovery.” said Ravenwing, “We found someone who’d like to say hello to you!” “I hardly think it’s time for chit…OH MY GOD!” shouted Hawkins. Colonel Foxxe was in shock as she turned to face the sight that made the General’s knees weak. Only K’anu Zzornz had the presence of mind to speak and whispered one word, “K’arol.”

Lt. K’arol Zzornz walked over to her sister and embraced her tightly, both of them sobbing. Colonel Foxxe walked over to K’arol as she released her sister and hugged her also and said, “We all thought Kitten had killed you, K’arol! How did you survive?” “My Krellan physiology, Colonel.” replied K’arol, “We have several different redundant systems in our bodies that help us survive damage that would kill anyone else. In this case, it was an extra blood supply hidden deep in a special gland that released after she had taken the last of my original supply. To make a long story short, after I told you to avenge me, Amie, I woke up in the corner of a dungeon like room, somewhere in the 8th Realm. Apparently, I wasn’t enough for her and Kitten was busy feeding on some other poor shmuck she had tricked into coming into her clutches.”

K’arol continued, “I transformed into the Krellan ultimate warrior form and tried to attack her, but her Mother drove me off with blasts of hellfire. She subdued me with some sort of sleeping spell and when I awoke, I was locked up in that room that Major Ravenwing found me in.” “Why didn’t Kitten just finish you off, when her mom had you asleep?” asked Foxxe. “I can answer that.” said Kat, “Kitten couldn’t kill her. She tried and failed. The Krellan warrior form is too powerful to be destroyed, even by the power of a demon. Kitten was afraid of her so she locked her up in that escape proof room seemingly forever.” “How do you know what Kitten thought?” asked K’anu, “Who are you?”

“I am…Kitten.” said Kat as she shape shifted. As soon as she revealed herself, K’anu screamed. As the demons continued to rip at the solid oak door of the main hall, the members of SHADOW were stunned to see Lt. K’anu Zzornz transform into a huge creature that seemed to be a cross between a honeybee and a wasp. The creature moved with such speed and power that nothing and no one that stood in front of Kitten was able to stop it. Kitten didn’t put up a fight. The Krellan Warrior seized her and drove its terrible wickedly sharp sting deep into her abdomen over and over again as Kitten screamed in agony. After stinging her 7 times in rapid succession, the terrifying creature that was K’anu Zzornz released Kitten and let her fall to the floor.

K’anu transformed back into her humanoid form, looked at Kitten and said, “The T’Kelmak has been satisfied. I will not devour you as is our way with defeated enemies, out of respect for the General. There is no antidote for the venom within you. You will die for the lives you have taken, evil creature.” C.K. was livid and in shock. “YOU MURDERING BI…!” C.K. began to shout, but Kitten stopped him. “What she did…was right…and just, C.K.” Kitten whispered, “I have killed…and fed on…so many…humans…that this…is better…than I deserve.” “But you had changed! I felt it!” said C.K. holding and kissing her paw-like hand. “Maybe…maybe not, C.K.” said Kitten softly, “My hunger…would have…grown again…and I would have…killed…to satisfy it! You must…see that, don’t you?”

C.K. answered, “No, that’s not true! You had changed, you heart…” “Was filled…with…love for…you!” said Kitten, only moments from death, “If you…ever left me…I would…have killed…you…and…the rest of…your family! Look…into my mind…see the truth!” C.K.’s eyes closed and after a moment, he wept, knowing that what Kitten said was true. Kitten smiled and said, “Remember Kat…and the love…you shared…with her. Tell Mona…the best…woman…won!” Kitten then breathed her last and perished. C.K. stood up from her lifeless corpse and looked at K’anu. He saw in her mind that she did bear some sorrow after seeing his pain at Kitten’s death. “I forgive you for my pain and I know that what you did was ultimately necessary, but it will take time to forget this day.” said C.K., “I hope you can understand and are not offended.”

K’anu smiled and said, “Of course, I understand. Your words do you and your father honor. I cannot be offended at this.” Colonel Foxxe looked at Kitten and said, “I cannot say that I am in any way sorrowful at seeing her die. But, I know that the feelings she bore you were genuine, C.K., and I sympathize.” “Thank you, Colonel.” said C.K. “Well, not to put a damper on this special moment, but we’ve got about a 1000 or so really pissed off cat-demons knocking at the door folks!” said the General, “I think we’d better call the cavalry, don’t you?” “No, General.” said K’arol Zzornz, “K’anu and I will handle them.” “ALL of them, Lieutenant?” asked Hawkins. K’arol and K’anu turned to him simultaneously and said, “Trust us. You should transport back to the base, General. We’ll call when we’re done.”

General Hawkins looked at Frankie and gulped. Frankie just smiled. Hawkins gave the order to assemble on one side of the room and gave the tech the order to initiate the transport. As Gamma Section transported away, they could see the two Krellan sisters transform into the fearsome insect warriors of their ultimate form. The General almost felt sorry for the demons…almost.

THE END

[Doubleb66]

WOW!!!!! As always, it's great to see new writing from you! Fantastic ending! I've been anticipating how that story would turn out for a long time and, of course, it's totally worth the wait. Bravo! Encore! Encore! =D> =D> =D>

[superpics4les]

You really didn't think I was going to leave it like that did you? Here's the epilogue:

*****

EPILOGUE:

Part I

In a dark and nearly forgotten place in the 8th Realm…

She awoke with a start. Sitting up, she looked around her, seeing nothing but darkness. The ground she sat on was dank and cold, feeling like cobblestone beneath her hosed derriere. “I guess I’m dead.” she said, “Funny, I thought it would be a lot different than this.” She raised her hands to her face and touched her cheeks. Her hands were still paw-like and sported razor-sharp claws. She also could move her tail and highly directional ears. Kitten appeared to be unharmed by the assault of the Krellan insect warrior, but yet she felt different.

Suddenly, torches began to light all over the room and Kitten could finally see where she was. The chamber was very large and had shackles and instruments of torture hanging on the walls, as well as dried blood stains and skeletons of various types of human and humanoid creatures. Kitten gulped and wondered why no one was with her in this torture chamber. She hadn’t long to wait to find out. Kitten heard the sound of locks opening and bolts being pulled back on the massive door to the chamber. The great door swung open and a hooded, robed woman walked in closely followed by a diminutive figure whose face and features were also hidden by a tattered hooded robe. The woman strode imperiously over to where Kitten was still sitting on the ground.

From under her robe, the woman extracted a whip and snapped it just inches from Kitten’s face and shouted, “GET UP!!” Kitten hissed angrily, rolled to her feet and leapt for her to kill her for trying to strike her with the end of the glowing red whip. The tall female caught Kitten by the throat and easily held her off the floor. The mysterious woman laughed and said, “You have barely the strength to stand, little girl! How can you hope to successfully attack me?” The hooded female threw Kitten into the far wall. The impact knocked the wind out of her and as if by magic, a pair of shackles swiftly snaked over to Kitten and clamped around her wrists. The same happened to her ankles. The shackles turned Kitten to face the wall, her back to the mysterious female.

Without another word, the hooded torturer began flaying the young cat-woman with her energy whip. Kitten cried out in agony, but no help came. For 2 hours, Kitten was subjected to the most excruciating pain she had ever felt. After what seemed like an eternity, the hooded woman finally stopped the merciless assault. Kitten’s back, once covered in sleek, shiny and sheer material, was now a bloody, shredded mess. As the woman lowered her fiendish weapon, she said, “Your father sent me to administer your punishment and to tell you how and why you are here.” “I wondered…when you…would get to that part!” said Kitten breathlessly. The woman struck Kitten once again with the whip and shouted, “SILENCE!! Permission to speak was not given!!” Kitten grimaced from the pain of her flesh tearing under the energy lash, but she remained silent.

“Good! You learn quickly!” said the woman, “This will make things easier for you here! I am Lady Devilyne, your Torturess and that is Gola, my slave.” The dwarvish figure bowed. “We have been engaged by your father to…re-educate you in the ways of the realm.” said Devilyne, “As you may have guessed, your physical body has been destroyed. As such, you are barred from returning to the Earth realm for 6 months, as it is measured on Earth. It has become apparent to your father and mother that they were too soft with you, too indulgent and eager to make you happy. As such you were not prepared for the challenge of the power of love in the mortal world. You will remain here with me during your exile, so that the teachings of Lord Dontarius and Lady Rileena, as well as loyalty to the Realm, may be more…forcefully instilled!” “May I speak now?” asked Kitten, her voice trembling. Her face still unseen, Devilyne smiled and said, “Speak.”

“My lady, these past 2 hours of agony have taught me the error of my ways, to allow a mortal’s love to turn me from my family.” said Kitten, with tears in her eyes, “Please release me and let me go back to my father and I will prove myself worthy of his and my mother’s trust.” Lady Devilyne clapped her hands 6 times in mock praise and said, “A pretty speech, my child, but not convincing enough! You see, I know you!” “How can you know me?” said Kitten angrily, “I’ve never met you before!” “Oh, but you have, my young feline fatale!” she answered, “Let’s renew our acquaintance, shall we?”

Lady Devilyne snapped out her lash and wrapped it around Kitten’s throat. She waved her free hand and the shackles on Kitten’s wrists and ankles fell off. Devilyne yanked Kitten toward her and struck her in the midsection, doubling her over. Devilyne grasped her by the throat, removed the glowing lash and carried her kicking and gasping to the wall. Once again the shackles came to life at Devilyne’s command and clamped around Kitten’s wrists and ankles, stretching her out tightly. Kitten roared her anger and frustration as Devilyne laughed. “Now child, look at me and see if your eyes will recognize me.” said Devilyne.

Lady Devilyne removed the sash that was tied about her shapely hips and threw off her black hooded robe. The satanic succubus was a sight to inspire fevered dreams and chilling nightmares. Her skin was a dusky brown, a little darker than yellow, but not a deep shade of brown either. Her hair was a medium grey, not quite iron, but darker than silver, just long enough to reach the nape of her muscled neck. She sported twin devil-like horns atop her head, which looked as if she’d used them to gore someone and left the blood to ooze down them. Her ears were long and pointed, like an exaggerated elf. Her big eyes were a shade of black that almost seemed to swallow light with red glowing pupils, evidence that The Dark Essence was within her. Her nose was wide with flared nostrils. Her sensuous mouth was adorned with a deep red glossy stick, the color of blood.

Lady Devilyne wore a sheer, glistening black bodystocking like Kitten’s own, which was totally seamless and even covered her hands like sleek, skin tight gloves. Her fingernails, while not as thick as Kitten’s claws, were about 3 inches long, curved and wickedly sharp. Over the bodystocking, she wore a shiny latex or patent leather bustier with a high collar that laced up in the front and a matching panty. A dark red silk sash adorned her waist and completed the ensemble. A pair of iron grey demonic wings with black spots unfolded from her back, attached at the shoulders. “Look at me, child.” hissed Devilyne, “Do you not see something familiar?” Kitten looked her up and down. Then her eyes opened wide and she said, “That whip, the grey hair, the sadistic manner…NO! It can’t be you! MADAME KORVA??”

“Yes, child! That was my name when you knew me on Earth.” said Lady Devilyne, “When I was killed by your sister, The Green Jaguar, my soul fell to the netherworld dimension of the 8th Realm, where I was given to your mother to be tortured by her claws for all eternity. It was her revenge for all the beatings I’d given you and your sister members of CLAW. After a couple of weeks of torture, Lady Rileena noticed my sadistic nature and that part of me even enjoyed being tortured. She decided to use me to torture others, as she sensed my talent for it. She requested that Lord Dontarius fill me with The Dark Essence and transform me into the glorious creature of sadism and destruction you see before you now!”

Kitten looked at her, mouth agape. Then she looked at Gola, Devilyne’s slave and said, “So then, Gola is…” “He whom you called ‘Daddy’.” said Devilyne with a smirk, “Gola, come here and show Kitten your face.” Gola waddled over to where Kitten was restrained and removed his hood. If she would have been able to move she would’ve jumped out of her skin. The diminutive figure of what was once Dr. Emile Korva had been reshaped into a hideous, misshapen, skinless monster. His dwarvish form stank in Kitten’s nostrils, as he constantly oozed greenish, putrescent pus. After her transformation, Devilyne searched the nether regions for Korva to repay him for the murder of Mme. Korva’s lover, Esteban Ramirez. She kept her promise and flayed every inch of skin from his spiritual body, but she didn’t stop there. Devilyne continued to whip Korva everyday so that no new skin growth could ever be accomplished. The constant torture drove Korva quite insane and the once brilliant mind that the members of MENSA couldn’t keep up with was reduced to a gibbering, nearly mindless slave and plaything for the sadistic demoness.

“So my lady, what happens now?” asked Kitten. Lady Devilyne smiled and replied, “Now I will do what your father and mother engaged me to do. Now I will not only have my revenge for the life of my dear Esteban, but I will teach you the proper etiquette of the realm and reinforce it with THIS!!” Suddenly, Devilyne began scourging Kitten again. The intense punishment lasted a few moments, then, just as suddenly as it began, it stopped. “The pain is exquisite, is it not, my young princess?” asked Devilyne, “And just think, we have another six months together! We’re going to have soooo much fun!” Lady Devilyne began to laugh diabolically as the lashing began anew. The last thing that Kitten could remember screaming before the agony of the laser lash caused her to lose consciousness was, “NO PLEASE, I BEG YOU, NOOOOOOO!!!”

*****

Part II

Meanwhile, in the Earth Realm…

The Krellan sisters, K’anu and K’arol returned to SHADOW HQ after dispatching the entire horde of cat-demons and feasting on their remains. The General ordered that the manor house be obliterated from orbit to make sure that Ruby and Jade didn’t escape justice for those they killed. Now that C.K. was safe from harm, the General had his psi abilities tested. They proved that Mona’s suspicions were well founded. His psi power rating was 5 times higher than any human on record. General Hawkins asked C.K. if he wanted to stay with SHADOW as the only other male member of the organization. C.K. took one look at the big grin on Mona’s face and said, “I think I could be persuaded to stay!” By virtue of his formidable psionic powers and his degrees in Nuclear Physics and Engineering, C.K. was given the rank of Lt. Commander and the code name Psion Prime. Together with Mona (Psychlone) they formed the SHADOW Psi-Force, an assemblage of the most powerful psionic superheroines in the galaxy.

General Hawkins took a leave of absence for 6 days, but didn’t leave the base. He also put himself in the Medical Section under Dr. de Winter’s care, but refused to see Frankie or anyone else for 4 of the 6 days. Frankie was a bit hurt until she saw the results. Hawkins had asked the cybernetics team, in conjunction with Dr. de Winter, to design and build for him a replacement for his lost right eye and his left arm. Dr. de Winter’s team completed the requested items in absolute secrecy. After the surgery and recovery, Hawkins allowed Frankie in to see him. She was thrilled at the change, but wondered why and said, “Popi, it really didn’t make a difference to me if you had one eye or two. I loved you just the way you were. Why did you do this?”

“For me Frankie.” replied Hawkins, “I’ve always wanted to get this done and I figured now would be as good a time as any, with the baby coming and all.” “Aha! So that’s it!” said Frankie, “You wanted our daughter to see you whole and complete, not missing anything, right?” “Yes, Frankie.” said Hawkins, his head down, “I guess I’m a little vain, OK? I just wanted to show her a whole and better man than I was.” Frankie smiled, caressed his face and said, “Mi Amor, even if you rebuilt yourself to be like Superman, you could never be a better man or more whole than you already were. You just augmented your body, but you’re still the same wonderful man I fell in love with!” General Hawkins looked at Frankie rather misty eyed and said, “What did I ever do right to deserve you?” “Nothing at all, Popi. You’re just really, really lucky!” replied Frankie laughing and kissing him.

The cybernetic replacements, however, were more than just for cosmetic purposes. The eye and the arm were not mechanical contrivances, but were in fact made from organic technology. The eye was capable of duplicating the abilities of the lenses in the masks worn by SHADOW operatives on mission. Infrared, penetrator, telescopic, microscopic, thermal imaging, x-rays, you name it, it could do it. The eye also had an offensive component in that it could collect, store and concentrate photonic energy and focus it in collimated beams of energy capable of burning through solid metal inches thick.

The cybernetic arm was capable of lifting several tons if need be and was virtually indestructible. This made it ideal for limited use as a shield against projectile weapons and could even repel most forms of energy discharge. The arm was also capable of a larger discharge of energy than the eye and could absorb the energy used against it, convert it to a usable form and discharge the energy as a continuous beam or massive bolt. Once she saw the General’s new “toys”, as she called them, actually work, she was quite impressed indeed.

Alva DeCiccio-Hawkins was released from her room after the team returned from Kitten’s hideaway. Under a great amount of protest, she finally allowed C.K. to wipe her mind of the entire Kitten incident, the visit to SHADOW HQ and C.K.’s kidnapping. C.K. gave her the memory only of a wonderful visit with C.K., Mona, the General and Frankie. C.K. also was able to turn off his mother’s telepathic ability or at least adjust its frequency so that his dad was immune to its effect. Alva was returned to the Milan Malpensa International Airport the same way she was taken, with the memory of a luxurious private jet ride on which she was given all the champagne, caviar and truffles she wished to indulge in, and the knowledge that her son and her ex-husband were working together on a long term military top secret project.

Alva arrived at her villa in Milan with a feeling of jet lag, completely unaware that she was being watched by a pair of eerie black eyes with glowing red pupils. They watched her enter her home, set her bags down in the hallway, kick off her shoes and pad up the stairs to the master suite. The possessor of the black demonic eyes followed her as she ascended the stairs and into the suite, being cloaked by a mind cloud. If Alva could have seen her invisible stalker, she would most likely have been unnerved by the licking of shiny red lips as the undetectable intruder watched her disrobe in preparation for her shower.

Alva put her red satin robe on over her shapely nude body, went into master bath and turned on the water, adjusting the temperature until it was just right. She then turned the shower head on and steam began to fill the luxuriant marble bathroom and fog the mirror above the 18 karat gold plated double sink vanity. Alva slipped off her robe and stepped into the shower, sliding the frosted leaded glass door closed behind her. It was then that the invisible assassin made her move. She dropped her mind cloud, standing on her perfectly red polished, glistening black hosed toes.

Ruby had been waiting for this moment since SHADOW’s destruction of Kitten’s manor house had killed her sister PussyKat Jade. She swore revenge for her murdered sister and what could be better than to decimate the mother of her turncoat mistress’ lover. As Alva hummed an old Italian tune from her childhood while washing herself, Ruby silently slinked toward her unsuspecting prey, smiling widely baring her sharp fangs and claws. Ruby could almost feel the ecstasy of tearing her soft, warm, wet flesh; drinking in her essence until her belly was bloated with fresh, hot blood. The thought of it made her womanhood moist.

Just as she was about to reach for the shower door to open it and land her first claw strike into Alva’s tender flesh, she was stopped by an unseen force, some kind of invisible barrier! “MMREEAWRRR!!” she protested, “SHE IS MINE! WHO DARES TO STOP ME?” Ruby struck the barrier numerous times with her razor sharp claws, to no avail. She also noticed that her prey could not hear her protestations, no matter how loudly she cried out. Then, just as suddenly, she was snatched from the cold marble floor and hurled into the bedroom. The impact with the floor knocked the wind out of her and Ruby coughed, struggling to get her breath. Then she looked up. There before her, eyes ablaze with green psionic energy, was Mona Lisa Calderone.

“Hello, Ruby. Remember me?” asked Mona angrily. Before Ruby could make a sound, Mona’s TK energies closed on Ruby’s larynx and tightened like a pneumatic vise. Ruby slowly rose off the plush carpet, her sleek, hose clad legs flailing in the air. Mona levitated over to her and said, “I made you a promise kitty-cat. I told you to remember my face, because it would be the last thing you would ever see, remember that? Because of that, I was the one that led you out of the house before it was destroyed. I was the one that gave you the idea to come after Alva. I even got you on the plane completely undetected, so I could fulfill that promise I made you.”

Ruby’s eyes showed great fear. Mona hissed, “It’s a terrible feeling isn’t it, knowing that you’re about to die? I bet you know now why it’s said that the anticipation of death is worse than death itself, don’t you?” Mona sensed Ruby’s thoughts. They were horrified, fearful, pleading. “I can read your mind, little pussycat!” said Mona tauntingly, “You want me to let you go. You want me to spare your life, don’t you puddy-tat?” Ruby nodded quickly with tears in her eyes. “You’re pathetic, Ruby!” shouted Mona, “You slowly clawed Darcy Weaver to death right before my eyes, but she never once pleaded for mercy, she just screamed in agony! Because of you, BECAUSE OF YOU!! This is for Darcy! Die you demonic cat-bitch, DIE!!”

Mona levitated out onto Alva’s terrazzo with Ruby in tow, overlooking the beautiful blue waters of the Mediterranean. Mona did a little finger wave and sent Ruby streaking straight up into the sky, just under a half a mile beyond the edge of space and the Earth’s atmosphere. Ruby encountered tremendous friction upon her re-entry into the atmosphere and burned to a small agonized cinder. Mona looked out at the waters of the Med and said softly, “Rest in Peace, Darcy. You are avenged.”

Mona ended her astral projection and opened her eyes. She was still in bed, lying next to C.K., who was deeply asleep after rocking Mona’s world and she rocking his in return. She snuggled up next to him and also went to sleep, dreaming of many other nights of passion with the man she loved. She wondered how long this relationship would last. She hoped and prayed it would be forever.

THE END

If it please the board, the files of SHADOW will be opened again...