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VAMPIRE STALKER

Chapter 1: A New Menace in Megakat City

The moon was rising over the putrid smelling area known as Megakat Swamp. Located far south of the city, the waters are clogged with plant life and crocodiles. No Kat lives here but one. Dr. Viper had built a hidden home and lab near the center of the swamp which is why no one could find him.

Tonight he was busy working in his lab. Rage burned in his heart as he focused on creating his most heinous and deadliest creature yet. He wanted revenge on the vicious treatment he received in prison which he had recently managed to escape from yet again.

All his previous plans had been defeated by the SWAT Kats but this time, the creature he was creating would destroy his enemies in a cold and most hideous manner that death would be much more preferable.

Laughing evilly, he glanced over at his prisoner. The poor homeless Kat had been hunting for food and shelter a little too close to the edge of the swamp and was captured by fast moving plants and brought here. Gripping the bars of his cage, he watched in horror as the mutant Kat muttered and mixed strange chemicals for many hours. He shivered in terror, afraid the mad creature intended to use him as a guinea pig for his next experiment. His guess would be right.

Weeks later...

"Uncle, we've searched the whole area and can't find what did this." Felina said frustrated after hours spent in canvassing the entire area.

"This makes the sixth kat killed over the last three days. No witnesses, blood drained from the victim, same MO, no robbery, no apparent motive found, none of the victims know each other...apparently totally random as well." Feral listed off what they did know and wasn't happy they hadn't been able to stop what was beginning to look like a serial killer.

Then there was the mystery of the dead victim's bodies disappearing from the morgue. He'd just been informed that every victim that had died a couple of days ago were missing. Security had not been compromised so it was a mystery as to how they had left with no one seeing.

News stations and papers were calling the attacker the "Vampire Stalker." People were terrified to be out at night and demanded the enforcers find this thing. Feral was trying to do just that but wasn't having any luck since the attacker left no clue except for a small amount of its DNA in the bite itself but the tests run on it made no sense at all to CSI personnel who had been trying to identify it. Every victim had the same DNA but that only told them it was the same creature and nothing more.

Totally frustrated and very worried, Feral signaled an end to the search and returned to Enforcer Headquarters. He and Felina went down to the Biotech Labs in their building to see if Dr. Konway had been able to make a break through on the DNA sample.

Unfortunately, Konway didn't have very good news. "I'm sorry Commander. The only thing I've been able to discover is the thing is a Kat but enough of its DNA has been corrupted in some way to make a new creature that apparently craves blood." He said unhappily.

"I can think of only one person who could do that because he'd done it once before...Dr. Viper." Felina said darkly.

Konway studied her a moment then nodded. "I believe you may be right lieutenant. It would certainly be in character and within his skills to do this to some poor bugger."

"Well, fine so our perp could also be a victim." Feral groaned, rubbing his neck. This case had now moved into the weird category where Viper's stuff normally dwelt. He hated this creepy stuff. "So have you been able to get a lead on how to reverse this, whatever it is, that Viper's done?"

The enforcer scientist sighed and pulled his glasses off a moment before answering. "I and my staff have been working around the clock on this, sir. Whatever Viper has done is really complex and we've only just begun to map the DNA fragments. It will take time and can't be rushed. I know more victims are going to suffer, but we're doing everything we can here."

Feral eyed his tired scientist thoughtfully. "Would it help to farm out some of the research effort, get fresher eyes and other angles checked out?" He asked.

Konway nodded. "Yes, sir. That would be an excellent idea. The more minds working on this the better our chances of finding some way to reverse it."

"Alright. I'll leave it to you to ask the right people and if you run into any problems, tell me immediately. The Mayor is up in arms about this and will apply some political muscle if its needed.

"Yes sir." Konway said then turned back to his work while Feral and Felina left for his office.

As they walked out of the labs and headed back to Feral's office, Felina huffed in frustration. "We're doing everything we possibly can and yet that thing is killing a victim a night. Not even the SWAT Kats can catch a shadow."

Her uncle snorted at that last part. "For once, I'd be happy to let those two hotshots try. We're not having any luck and so many are going to die. We can't afford to turn away any help."

Felina nearly stopped in her tracks at that admission. It meant her uncle was truly worried about this new menace. She had to admit so was she.

Megakat Salvage Yard...

Jake flicked the TV off and sat there chilled to his marrow.

"Crud! That just gives me the willies!" Chance said, breaking the uneasy silence.

They'd been watching David Litterbin when the a news flash burst in about the latest death by the so called 'Vampire Stalker'.

"And we're just as helpless as the enforcers against this thing. There's just no trace left but victims." Jake said, shaking his head unhappily.

"Yeah I know. I hate feeling helpless and I'm not ashamed to admit this has me really spooked." Chance murmured, shivering.

"Me too." His partner said in a small voice.

They continued to sit there in silence, reluctant to go to bed, a feeling of dread weighing them down. How do you fight something that leaves nothing of itself behind?

Hiding in a dark hole it had found to protect it from the light of day, the mad creature licked its lips, satisfied for another night. The fear...the sweet copper taste of fresh blood...had been so delicious. Some part of its mind cringed at that hideous memory of blood and death...it screamed helplessly unable to fight the compulsion ruling its body to take blood or die. Whimpering to itself, it curled up in a ball and waited till the light of day brought blessed freedom from reality.

In his hidden lab, Dr. Viper rubbed his paws together in joyful pleasure. "Yessss...ssssuccessss at lassst. The enforcerssss are helplessss to sssstop my creature and now there are more of them. The foolssss think they are chassssing one but that one hasssss created more of itssself. Ssssoon thissss city will be mine!" He laughed hideously.

In various dark places around the city newborn creatures hid from the light of day. The next night they would awaken, ravenous. Soon the city would be drowning in blood and death.

Chapter 2: The Horror In the Night

The next morning shone bright and sunny. In the light of day the fears of the night seemed to be forgotten by the populace as they went about their day as usual.

Feral was tired as he stared out his window. He'd tried to get some sleep but a nagging fear kept him awake. He just knew, whatever it was Viper had planned, the few deaths that had occurred were only the tip of the iceberg. He had no doubt tonight would be the start of a war they might not win. That sent shudders of fear up his spine.

One would think Dark Kat would be a major threat and he certainly could be but it was Dr. Viper who frightened people the most because of his ability to warp Katkind with his experiments. Dark Kat simply blew things up or took over things on a grand scale but Viper's threat was far more insidious and longer lasting. Of the two, he was the one to be feared the most.

Shaking himself, he went back to his desk. He had enough work to occupy himself and there was absolutely nothing he could do about the nightmare creeping up on them than what he'd already set in motion. He truly wished there was more he could do, hating the feeling of helplessness.

At the far end of the city, the salvage yard was open and the garage was already busy. Chance was working on an enforcer sedan while Jake was doing a tune up on the old lady Kat's little car. The radio played in the background. Their minds were focused on their work, firmly keeping at bay the fear of the coming night.

Over at city hall, Calico Briggs had paused to do the same thing the Commander had done, stare out her window at the vibrant and busy city. She shuddered suddenly, rubbing her arms as if she was cold. The threat of Dr. Viper made her very afraid for the Katizens of this city. She feared they were in for a nightmare ride worse than any they'd survived before.

Even the SWAT Kats were not equipped to fight something that slithered through the night, invisible until it struck a new victim then disappeared once more. Like Feral, she hated being helpless but like him there was nothing she could do and she refused to harass the dark tom like the Mayor wanted. She knew he was doing everything he could and for once she truly believed it to. She'd seen the haunted and tired look in his eyes. No...she would leave him alone...he bore the brunt of this nightmare and she refused to heap anymore on him.

Sighing unhappily, she returned to her heavily littered desk and dug into her work. The Mayor had gone to the golf course, saying 'I need to get away from the suffocating fear'. She snorted at that since she still had to deal with it. 'The coward.' She muttered irritably.

The day seemed to speed by and dusk was soon arriving and with it the rising level of fear. As soon as the sun began to disappear, Katizens began looking over their shoulders nervously as they hurried home, locking their doors and refusing to leave until morning.

Unfortunately, night shift jobs couldn't be left, but the workers there demanded their bosses keep doors closed tight. Hospitals kept unguarded doors firmly locked as did fire departments and the enforcers. Those on patrol, went in pairs everywhere and used bright spot lights in darken areas, anything to help dispel their fear.

All there precautions were for naught. As soon as darkness fell, the hidden creatures crept from their hiding places and sought the unwary. Hunting was a little harder due to the Katizens taking the danger to heart and hiding inside their homes but there were still the arrogant, the stupid, the criminal minded, the homeless, and, unfortunately, the duty bound to prey on.

A thief, taking advantage of the night and empty streets to burglarize a local business, made his last mistake in judgement as a dark shadow snatched him from the window he'd been about to climb in.

He screamed as cold paws with long claws dug into his body. No matter how hard he struggled he couldn't break the steel grip that held him. A mouth full of sharp fangs grabbed his neck, sending intense pain pouring through him, but he was paralyzed by that first bite and couldn't scream. His eyes rolled wildly as the creature fed from him then coldness and death ended his fear.

Police foot patrols did their beats despite the terror in the night. However, that very unknown terror made them a bit more trigger happy and tense.

A pair, one older, the other a rookie were walking along a fairly busy street that was thinning fast and shops that normally stayed open were closing early and in unseemly haste.

"Everyone's really spooked, Sarge." The rookie commented as he watched the lights go out in a place normally known to stay open rather late. No one was hanging about either and that was unusual for this area as well.

"They've certainly got reason to." The sergeant grunted, his eyes roaming restlessly over the area as darkness fell completely, only streetlights illuminating their beat now.

"Yeah, gives me the creeps being out here."

"It's our job."

"I know, but...what was that?" The rookie said, pulling his weapon and staring nervously down an alley they were passing.

The sergeant didn't answer as he too pulled his weapon and flicked his flashlight on. The rookie only then remembered he had a flash too and pulled it out to shine down the alley. Nothing could be seen. The two stood tensely, ears cocked forward, waiting for another sound.

Out of the darkness, charging into the light for them, was something that looked like a crazed Kat. It knocked the sergeant off his feet. The rookie cried out and tried to take aim at the attacker, his weapon set on low stun as per regulations. The sergeant and the crazed thing rolled around, the older Kat trying desperately to hold the creature's mouth away from him. He screamed at the rookie to shoot.

The shout of fear rocked the young patrolkat and he fired into the face of the creature but it had no effect. Afraid his partner would be killed, the younger cop shoved his weapon in his pocket and dropped his flash so he could try and yank the attacker off.

To his horror it was like trying to pull away a bull, the creature was too strong and paid the rookie no attention as he ripped into the sergeant's throat. Blood sprayed all over its face and the now dying older patrolkat.

Screaming in anger with tears falling down his face, the rookie yanked uselessly at the creature, no longer afraid only furious that he'd failed to save his partner, in so doing he forgot about his own safety.

Finished with its first target the creature turned on the rookie. He fought but it did him no good as he too was killed brutally.

Staring around it for a moment, the creature licked its lips of the blood still clinging to them then turned and disappeared back down the alley.

Everything was still once more. In the stark street light, two bodies lay strewn on the sidewalk. When the patrol failed to answer a radio check-in call, a car patrol was sent out and found the grisly scene.

In many other spots around the city, the same terror was being repeated again and again until the sated creatures slunk away to their dark holes to rest through the day.

Feral had been rousted out of bed after he'd finally managed to fall asleep, by the toning of his radio. Heart hammering, he nearly knocked it off his night stand in his rush to get it.

"Feral!"

"Sir, two patrolkats were killed. They didn't respond to a check-in so a patrol car went out. They found them at 1021 Borden Ave." Dispatch grimly announced.

"Acknowledged. Has the morgue been called and CSI?" He asked as he climbed out of bed to get dress.

"On scene, sir."

"Good. Notify them I'm on my way." Feral said then disconnected.

"Yes sir."

Feral disconnected then began dressing. 'And so it begins.' He thought in anguished dismay.

By the time he arrived at the gory scene, he'd received calls that more bodies had been found. His heart sank. The total so far was now fourteen dead in just a few days. There was no telling how many more there were until the light of day uncovered the bodies.

It was going to be a long night.

By morning the death toll was tallied at twenty dead. The bodies were being chained to their shelves and locked into the bank of morgue tubes. It was hoped they didn't get up and leave. It was unfortunate that no one was being funny when that was said.

When Feral had checked-in with Dr. Konway and told him of the new dead, the doctor's eyes were red with exhaustion and sorrow.

"I've sent samples to ten different labs, seven of which are outside Megakat City." He told the Commander. "It's obvious the first creature infected his victims and those are the ones who are now killing and infecting others."

"But...they're dead! How are they able to infect others much less get up and do it." Feral said in utter confusion.

Konway looked at him in anguish. "They aren't dead, apparently. The victims go into a state of suspended animation that mimics death. After their body has completely altered they rise to hunt for fresh blood which is the only food they can ingest now."

"How the heck do you know that? We haven't caught one of the things yet."

"Extrapolation of the facts at paw, Commander. We may be in error plus or minus a tenth of a percent, but we feel we're fairly accurate of what Viper intended." Konway said grimly.

Feral felt sick inside. So the victims weren't really dead but the living dead. He grimaced at that thought. It sounded too much like some horror movie but unfortunately, they were living the real thing.

Shaking his head, he began to leave. Over his shoulder he said, "Just keep at it Dr. Konway. We're obviously in a war we are losing."

Konway sighed, pulled his glasses off and rubbed his tired eyes. 'I know that Commander.' He muttered softly as he returned to work.

As he was fixing his breakfast, Jake had flicked on the TV and was listening as he rummaged around in the kitchen. When he heard the news flash, he hurried to the living room and stood watching Ann Gora report the horror of the night.

"We have received reports of up to sixteen deaths from the Vampire Stalker. There are possibly more but Commander Feral has put a clamp down on the case. He says next of kin needs to be notified. No new information has come to light as to how to stop this creature. The enforcers seem helpless against it as two of their own died horribly doing their duty last night. We at Katseye News will keep you informed as new information is released. This is Ann Gora..."

Jake felt sick and afraid. The attacks were succeeding and nothing he had in his arsenal could fight it. Then he paused as a stray thought crossed his mind. Perhaps there was a way but he needed to know more about this creature.

At that moment, Chance walked in, stretching and yawning.

"Jake?" He asked as he noted his partner just standing in the center of the living room, his expression one he recognized. "What is it, buddy?" He asked warily.

Jake blinked and focused his attention on his partner. "The news reported up to sixteen more victims have been found." He said grimly.

Chance's face fell. "Gods!"

"I think I might have an idea of how to capture this thing but I need to know more about it. The only one that might have that answer is Dr. Konway." Jake told him.

His partner eyed him uncertainly. "Are you sure we're not dealing with the supernatural here, buddy?"

"Won't know that until I ask, Chance. Let's go! I don't want to waste another moment." Jake said tightly, flicking the TV off, skipping breakfast and heading for the kitchen trapdoor to the hangar.

Chance sighed and raced after his partner.