7--A-Tom-U-Lar, Ch.1

May 15.

Command Center, Hawkhaven.

t Hawkhaven, Steelheart entered the Command Center from her office and went over to Steelwill, who was at the communications station. “Did you signal the Feliner, Will?” she asked.

“Your exact message, sis: Bon retour, nos amis! ”

Steelheart had met the Thunder Cats only once, but she knew they were very good people. “Thanks, Will. I’m glad they’re returning.” She pressed and held a button on Steelwill’s station. “And what was the reply, computer?”

Lion‑O’s voice came over the circuits. “Thank you, Steelwill, but I’d like it a lot better if we knew what you meant.” Smiling, Steelheart released the button.

“And when will they arrive, Quicksilver?”

Quicksilver tapped a few buttons. “In fifteen minutes, ma’am.”

“Very good. And I’m glad you remembered to call me ma’am.”

“Who wouldn’t after someone made the mistake of calling you sir?” Condor asked.

Steelheart smiled at Moonstriker. “Yes, who wouldn’t.”

“Of course, I thought it was standard protocol to call one’s commanding officer sir,” Moonstriker said.

“I know, but just remember that I don’t like it, Moonstriker. I’m not fond of that part of standard protocol.”

“Aye, ma’am.”

* * *

Brim*Star.

Across the system at Brim*Star, Mon*Star was still trying to figure out some way of dealing with the Silver Hawks. “Blast it. I wish there were some way to stop those Silver Hawks.”

Mo‑Lec‑U‑Lar came in. “Heh, heh! I may have it, Mon*Star. Ch-ch-ch-ch!”

“Well, what’s your idea, Mo‑Lec‑U‑Lar?”

“We could enlist the aid of my older brother, A‑Tom‑U‑Lar. His transformation powers are much more powerful than mine are. Ch-ch-ch-ch!”

“But can he fix the Silver Hawks?”

“He can whip the Silver Hawks and Thunder Cats into the ground. Ch-ch-ch! All he would need would be time to plan his moves. He loves to make his opponents overconfident.”

“Heh, heh! He’ll have more than enough time to fix the Silver Hawks. Call him. I want to talk business with him.” He laughed.

Tally-Hawk, watching from above Brim*Star, beamed the information to Hawkhaven.

* * *

Hangar, Hawkhaven.

Within the hour, the Feliner arrived in Hawkhaven’s hangar. Inside were Lion‑O, who was piloting; Snarf, who was assisting; Wilykit, who was sleeping; and Wilykat, who was awake. Wilykat gently rubbed his sister’s back. “Wilykit?” She awoke.

Wilykit rubbed her eyes and sat upright in her seat with a stretch and a yawn. “I hope you have a good reason for waking me up, Wilykat.”

“We’re at Hawkhaven.”

“Good enough.” Lion‑O maneuvered the Feliner into the hangar of Hawkhaven. Steelheart and Quicksilver were waiting near the landing point. The Feliner landed with pinpoint accuracy. The door at the rear of the small craft opened. Lion‑O, Snarf, Wilykit, and Wilykat stepped off the Feliner and onto the floor of the hangar of Hawkhaven.

“Welcome back to Hawkhaven, Thunder Cats,” said Steelheart.

“Thanks,” said Lion‑O. “It’s good to be back. Now, what did your message mean?”

“That was in our Earth’s French language, one of the most common languages in our part of the galaxy. Literally, it means, ‘Good return, my friends.’ ”

“And how are you?” asked Quicksilver.

“We’re all fine,” Lion‑O replied. “And you guys?”

“Pretty good.” A Hawk’s-Head signal flashed on a beacon on the ceiling. “Uh, on second thought. Tally-Hawk has found something.” They all got into the elevator. Quicksilver pressed the button for the Command Center.

At the Command Center, they went to a computer in the center where everyone was gathered. “Let’s find out what’s happening,” Steelheart said. She sat in the chair in front of the computer. She pressed a button, and they saw Mon*Star in the control room of Brim*Star as Mo‑Lec‑U‑Lar entered. The following barked over the audio lines:

Mon*Star: “Blast it. I wish there were some way to stop those Silver Hawks.”

Mo‑Lec‑U‑Lar: “Heh, heh! I may have it, Mon*Star. Ch-ch-ch-ch!”

Mon*Star: “Well, what’s your idea, Mo‑Lec‑U‑Lar?”

Mo‑Lec‑U‑Lar: “We could enlist the aid of my older brother, A‑Tom‑U‑Lar. His transformation powers are much more powerful than mine are. Ch-ch-ch-ch!”

Mon*Star: “But can he fix the Silver Hawks?”

Mo‑Lec‑U‑Lar: “He can whip the Silver Hawks and Thunder Cats into the ground. Ch-ch-ch! All he would need would be time to plan his moves. He loves to make his opponents overconfident.”

Mon*Star: “Heh, heh! He’ll have more than enough time to fix the Silver Hawks. Call him. I want to talk business with him.”

At this point, the screen flashed to show the Hawk’s-Head and the message, ‘End of Recording.’

“Okay, guys,” said Steelheart. “Let’s dig up everything we can find out about this A‑Tom‑U‑Lar character: background, record, the works.” The other Silver Hawks fanned out to their stations. “Confound it. Stuff like this always has to happen. If I had a mind for it, I’d use some other words.”

“Do Mon*Star and his bozo-squad always do things like this?” Wilykat asked.

“Yes. And quite an accurate description of his Mob, if I do say so myself.”

“Thank you.”

“Steel-lady, I think I got something,’ ” said Bluegrass. Steelheart and the Thunder Cats went over to his station. Bluegrass had the background and record of A‑Tom‑U‑Lar being printed to hardcopy. When the printer had finished, he tore off the sheet and began to read it. On his screen appeared an image of A‑Tom‑U‑Lar. “Name: A‑Tom‑U‑Lar. Age: 360. Can transform into any possible substance with his unstable atomic construction. His one weakness is forming into a mirrored image of whatever he wishes to replicate. That is, all features are reversed.” Everyone turned to the screen image.

“This character looks similar to Mo‑Lec‑U‑Lar,” Steelheart said.

“A‑Tom‑U‑Lar’s globes or atoms or whatever you call them are red,” Wilykit said. “He is right-handed. And, instead of a large atom in his center, he has an atomic nucleus.”

“Very observant, young lady.”

“Thank you, ma’am.”

“What’s his police record like, Bluegrass?”

Bluegrass shook his head. “Spotless, Steelheart. No real crimes. He’s so clean he squeaks.”

“Personality?”

“Completely different. He is bad-tempered, and he is conceited enough not to take into account his one weakness.”

“Typical for a villain,” Wilykat said.

“Yeah, typical villain. Only, this guy ain’t no villain.”

“Not yet,” said Steelheart.

* * *

Brim*Star.

At Brim*Star, Seymour’s yellow space-cab neared the Star*Crater and went down toward Brim*Star Fortress. When it landed on the docking area, A‑Tom‑U‑Lar came out of it. “Uh, that’ll be three limbo bucks,” said Seymour. He was a short, rotund humanoid with only four fingers on each hand rather than five, and the ends of the fingers were slightly bulged. He wore a blue uniform and a blue hat. Two antennae that were the color of the rest of his skin protruded from the hat.

A‑Tom‑U‑Lar got a five-Limbo-Buck-piece out of his pocket—a coin made of pure gold—and gave it to Seymour. “Thanks for the ride, Seymour. Keep the change as tip.” A‑Tom‑U‑Lar was known as a great tipper everywhere: hotels, cabs, restaurants, and the like.

“Thank you.” As A‑Tom‑U‑Lar entered the fortress, Seymour left Brim*Star.

In the control room of Brim*Star, Mon*Star and Mo‑Lec‑U‑Lar were waiting. “Welcome to Brim*Star, A‑Tom‑U‑Lar!” said Mon*Star.

“Thank you, Mon*Star,” A‑Tom‑U‑Lar said. “Hi, Mo.”

“Hi, A‑Tom‑U‑Lar,” said Mo‑Lec‑U‑Lar.

“So, Mon*Star, you requested a meeting?”

“Yes. I like what your brother’s said about you. I would like you to do a job for me.”

“What kind of job?”

“I want you to pull a series of crimes that will lure the Silver Hawks to you. Ultimately, I want those bird-brains mutilated.”

A‑Tom‑U‑Lar began to smile wickedly. “Those Silver Hawks may be tough birds, but I will deliver them to you on a silver platter, Mon*Star.”

“I’m sure that the Mob is at your disposal for use.”

“Thank you, Mon*Star. I always wanted to become a career criminal. I’ve been working on and modifying my powers in my laboratory. With them, I can outsmart those tin-plated, dive-bombing do-gooders.”

“Also, some Thunder Cats are here. I should like them dealt with, as well.”

“Certainly. They’ll be caterwauling in sheer pain when I’m through with them.”

“Excellent. What have you in store for them?”

“Here is the first part of my plan.”

* * *

Cat’s Lair, third‑Earth.

At Cat’s Lair on third‑Earth, Tygra, Panthro, and Cheetara were in the control room and were keeping an eye on the monitors. “Everything seems quiet today,” Cheetara said. “However, we have found out how quickly that can change.”

“Yes,” said Panthro. Something on his panel beeped. “We’re being contacted.”

“Then, open the channel,” said Tygra. Panthro opened the communication channel. Lion‑O appeared on the main viewscreen, and the Command Center of Hawkhaven was visible behind him. “Good day, Lion‑O. You four got there safely, we see.”

“Yes, Tygra. Everything’s quiet down there for the moment?”

“Yes. For the millisecond.” Lion‑O almost laughed. He knew how it was: one moment, everything was quiet. The next, everything was close to chaos. Of course, it was not actually funny. “How about up there?”

“I have a feeling that it may be about to heat up intensely up here. According to a recording made by Tally-Hawk, Mon*Star is probably recruiting a new member for his—” He turned to someone on his right. “How did you term the Mob, Wilykat?”

“I dubbed them, ‘Mon*Star’s bozo-squad,’ ” Wilykat said

“Ah; yes, thanks.” He turned back to the monitor he was using. “—a new member for his ‘bozo-squad,’ as Wilykat calls them.”

“Hm. Probably accurate,” said Tygra.

“That’s exactly what Steelheart said. Anyway, this new member is Mo‑Lec‑U‑Lar’s older brother, A‑Tom‑U‑Lar, who can transform into anything. He has one weakness: he transforms into a mirrored image of the person or thing whose form he takes. In fact, he is almost a mirror image of his evil brother. Anyway—”

“Lion‑O,” Wilykit said. “Commander Steelheart. Something’s going on.”

“Wilykit just called me. It sounds urgent. I’ll talk to you later.”

“Okay, Lion‑O,” Tygra said. “Talk to you later.” The viewscreen blipped off. “Some news.”

“Right, some news,” Cheetara said.

“There’s one easy way to determine if that guy tried to transform into one of us: simply look at the insignia,” said Panthro.

“Ah, you’re right. The faces on the insignias always look to the wearer’s right.”

“So,” said Cheetara, “if the faces look to the left—”

“Yes, Cheetara. But we may soon have our own problems from the Luna‑tacks, the Mutants, and or that blasted mummy and his wicked mutt.”

* * *

Command Center, Hawkhaven.

Steelheart came to the monitor that she had assigned to Wilykit. “What is it, ’Kit?”

Wilykit activated her monitor. “I have detected some sort of disturbance in this sector.”

Steelheart glanced at the co‑ordinates of the sector and gasped. “Those are the co‑ordinates of our earth, technically second‑Earth.” Wilykit was working as quickly as possible to get the viewer on that area. In a few seconds, she succeeded. Three small missiles were heading for Earth. “Two of those blasted missiles are Mo‑Lec‑U‑Lar and Volt‑Ure. That means that the third must be A‑Tom‑U‑Lar.” She turned to Condor. “Condor and Moonstriker, get over to Earth and stop them.”

“Aye, ma’am,” Condor said. He and Moonstriker zipped down in the elevator to the hangar. They flew out and headed quickly for second‑Earth.

“At their present velocity,” said Quicksilver, “they’ll reach Earth in a quarter of an hour.”

Steelheart tapped a button on her console. “Condor and Moonstriker, this is Commander Steelheart. Over.”

“Condor and Moonstriker here, ma’am,” said Condor.

“Speed up.”

“Sorry, ma’am,” said Moonstriker. “We’re going at the highest safe speed. If we go much higher—”

“Unless you’re at your maximum possible speed, go faster. I don’t want Mo and his bro to cause any problems.”

“Okay, Commander.” They sped up. Steelheart tapped the button again.

Quicksilver recalculated. “That knocks it down to nine minutes.”

“Will, get me Silver Hawk Headquarters. Direct it to the monitor in my office. That’s where I’ll be.”

“Yes, ma’am,” Steelwill said. Steelheart quickly withdrew into her office.

“She seems rather perturbed,” Lion‑O said.

“Well, you might be too if the Mob were attacking your home planet,” said Steelwill.

“I would indeed.”

“Where are they heading?”

Wilykit pressed several buttons. “I’m magnifying this image.” She targeted a point on the surface of the earth. The area to which Mo‑Lec‑U‑Lar, A‑Tom‑U‑Lar, and Volt‑Ure were heading was highlighted. It was in Switzerland. “They’re headed towards a country northwest of one that’s shaped like a boot. I do not know how to pronounce the name.”

“I think I know it. Spell its name, though.”

“D - I - E - space - S - C - H - W - E - I - Z,” she said.

“That’s die Schweiz, or Switzerland in English,” Steelwill said. “The name is German.”

“Die Schweiz. What’s significant about it?”

“That is where all the monetary reserves on second‑Earth are right now.”

“How much money is in those reserves?”

“A heck of a lot.” Before he wasted time calculating, he checked and saw that one Thunder-Dollar equaled one Dollar and one Limbo-Dollar. The correspondence was amazing. “It equals exactly $19 sextillion. Dollars are equal in value to Thunder-Dollars.”

“Wow,” exclaimed Wilykat.

“That is certainly a lot of money,” Lion‑O said. “What do the people use?”

“People use accounts, which hold their money. Hardly any money ever leaves the reserves on die Schweiz. If someone moves to another world, the reserves themselves handle the person’s monetary transfer. If anyone were to steal all the money, though, the economy would drop like a slab of cement.”

“Well, then, it doesn’t seem like such a good idea to keep all the money in one place like that.”

“Well, that’s not what more than two-thirds of second‑Earth’s population said. More than two-thirds approve of the idea. The lazy people just don’t want to have to look after their own money. Not that I blame them, mind you.”

“Has anything that might change that occurred in the past?” asked Wilykit.

“Certainly. However, it never does change. Here in Limbo, however, an individual is completely in charge of the gold and latinum constituting his or her own money. They can put it in the banking world of Dolare, but they can also keep it in their own hands. Despite its great size, Dolare has only about a quarter times the amount of money held in die Schweiz.” Something on his console beeped. “Ah. Second‑Earth has replied. Now to channel it to Steelheart’s office.” He pressed a button. “There. Now, that is done.”

“Me, I’m getting kinda bored waiting for some action,” Bluegrass said. He reached under his console.

“Uh-oh,” Quicksilver said.

“Uh-oh what?” He got out Side Man, his Weapon Hawk, who was in guitar form, and put him across his lap as any other right-handed guitar player would. “I’m just a‑gonna play a few tunes, skip.”

Quicksilver covered his ears. “Quickly. Cover your ears.”

Steelwill laughed. “What’s wrong, Quicksilver?”

“When he gets bored, he plays terribly.”

“Aw, shucks, Quicksilver, ol’ buddy,” Bluegrass said. “I’m just gonna play a few measures of ‘Home on the Range’ and then ‘La Cucaracha’!”

Quicksilver groaned. “Someone save me!”

Wilykat laughed. “What’s wrong, Colonel?”

“I note that you think something’s wrong with Bluegrass’s playing,” Wilykit said. The Thunder Kittens laughed together.

Quicksilver took his hands from his ears. “Ew! Puns, too.” The door from the corridor to Steelheart’s office opened. She emerged. “Short conference.”

“They decided not to detain me by keeping me in there,” said Steelheart. “They decided that I should do my job. That is to stop those criminals before they take anything.”

“Sis, they are heading for die Schweiz,” Steelwill said.

“Well, of course. It’s nice there in spring.” Everyone giggled a little bit. She noticed Bluegrass was holding Side Man. She felt the same way about his playing that Quicksilver did. “Bluegrass, away with the bass. I prefer a tenor guitar if you want to play solo.”

“Oh, all right, Steel-lady.” He put Side Man back under the console.

Steelheart tapped a button on Steelwill’s communication console. “Condor, come in.”

“What is it, Steelheart?” asked Condor.

“Stop those molecular maniacs before they rob die Schweiz clean.”

“Right, ma’am. We’re on our way.” Steelheart released the button.

“All right. Quicksilver, go out in the Sprint Hawk and help Condor and Moonstriker.”

Quicksilver stood and saluted. “Aye, ma’am.” He ran to the elevator and went to the hangar.

Steelheart went over to where Wilykit was working. “And how, my dear brother, is this young lady doing?” Wilykit looked up at her.

“Very well, my dear sister,” Steelwill said. Having crossed his arms, Wilykat mumbled something to himself. “And what is eating you, Wilykat?”

“Oh, nothing much,” said Wilykat. “Certainly not what I had for lunch.” He hated being jealous of his sister, but he always started feeling that way whenever someone praised her.

Bluegrass noticed something beeping on his console. “Ah! Quicksilver has left, Steelheart.”

“Very good,” Steelheart said. “Wilykat, would you mind taking over Quicksilver’s position?”

The Thunder Kitten was a tad nervous, but why not do it? “Uh, no, of course I wouldn’t. Thanks.” He took over Quicksilver’s position.

“When will the Sprint Hawk reach Earth, Wilykat?”

Wilykat performed some calculations. He found the console easy enough to operate. “Ah. Three minutes, at its current speed, Steelheart.”

Steelheart made a slight glance at what he had done. “Very good.” She made a small nod to Steelwill.

Wilykit sighed. “You know that, with this happening, those blasted enemies of ours will have to act up, don’t you?”

Steelheart sighed. “Yeah, you’re probably right. But as they say in Spain, así es la vida.”

Steelwill assumed a manner of mock-impatience. “And how many times have I asked you to quit saying it as they say it in Spain?”

“Far too often for my taste, little Will.”

“Heh, heh! You know I’m only joking, Steelheart.”

“Steelheart, does Steelwill annoy you as much as Wilykat annoys me?” Wilykit asked.

“Wilykit,” snapped Wilykat.

“I wouldn’t know,” said Steelheart, ignoring Wilykat. “I don’t know how much Wilykat annoys you.”

“Wilykit, I don’t annoy you that much,” Wilykat said. “Ah, do I?” Wilykit smiled at him once before turning to her monitor. “Oh, sure. Don’t tell me. Leave it to me to guess.” He turned back to his monitor. “Some twin sister you have, Wilykat. Won’t even tell you if you annoy her too much.”

“Calm down, Wilykat,” Lion‑O said.

“Bluegrass, get down to the hangar,” said Steelheart. “I want the Mirage ready for take-off if it becomes necessary.”

“Aye, Steelheart.” He got Side Man and took the elevator down to the hangar.

“Now, Wilykit, tell me what’s going on over in die Schweiz.”

As Mo‑Lec‑U‑Lar, A‑Tom‑U‑Lar, and Volt‑Ure were landing, Wilykit switched to a close-up of where they landed. “That’s the closest I can get, Steelheart. Not much help.”

“In some cases, it helps to demagnify. So, demagnify 240 times.” Wilykit did so. “Good. Blast! That is right outside Geneva, now the monetary capital of second‑Earth. That’s where all the money is. Will, get Quicksilver, Condor, and Moonstriker on the horn.” Steelwill activated a communication channel to Quicksilver, Condor, and Moonstriker. “Quicksilver, Condor, and Moonstriker, come in.”

“I hear you, Steelheart,” Quicksilver said.

“As do we, Commander,” said Condor.

“Mo‑Lec‑U‑Lar, A‑Tom‑U‑Lar, and Volt‑Ure have landed about ten kilometers outside Geneva, die Schweiz. Stop them before it’s too late.”

“You’ve got it, Steelheart.”

Steelheart turned to Steelwill and jerked her thumb perpendicularly across her neck about three or four centimeters away from her neck. Steelwill cut the transmission.

“What was that signal you made?” asked Wilykat.

“It means, ‘Cut transmission.’ ”

“I see.”

* * *

Sky Tomb, third‑Earth.

On third‑Earth, the evil Sky Tomb, the Luna‑tacks’ flying fortress, was parked near Fire‑rock Mountain in Dark Side. The Luna‑tacks were surveying the situation at Cat’s Lair. Luna laughed. “With Lion‑O, those two Thunder Squirts, and the Snarf away, we’ll never have a better chance to do away with Cat’s Lair for good.”

“As well as Tygra, Panthro, and Cheetara,” said Aluro. “Those three are sitting ducks.”

“Well, we ought to quack them up, then. Ha, ha! Chilla, get us to the Thunder Cats’ fortress.”

“Whatever you say, Luna,” Chilla said. She piloted the Sky Tomb as it took off for Cat’s Lair.

“But they’ll be expecting us, Luna,” said Red‑eye. “Those cats are clever.”

“They’ll find that they aren’t clever enough to deal with us. We’ll make them sorry that they ever crossed swords with the Luna‑tacks.”

* * *

Cat’s Lair.

At Cat’s Lair, something had just registered on Cheetara’s sensors. “I’m getting some readings from Fire‑rock Mountain, Tygra.”

Tygra looked at her readings. “This is not natural. Logically, the only artificial thing that would cause such a disturbance would be Sky Tomb.”

“And Sky Tomb means those blasted Luna‑tacks,” Panthro said. If it were permitted, Panthro would as soon destroy the Luna‑tacks. Of course, except in extreme situations or open war, Thunder Cats were not permitted to kill anyone.

“Get all defense systems ready.” Cheetara, Panthro, and Tygra readied the defense systems. Tygra then pressed a communications button. “Cat’s Lair to Hawkhaven. Come in, please. I repeat, Cat’s Lair to Hawkhaven. Come in, please.” Static appeared on the screen, then a clear image of Steelwill.

“This is Hawkhaven, Cat’s Lair. What’s wrong?”

“We got some readings that indicate that the Luna‑tacks may be coming to attack.” Steelwill thought for a moment.

“We’re a tad up to our necks in trouble ourselves. You see—”

Steelheart entered the picture. “What’s wrong?”

“We think that the Luna‑tacks may be coming to attack,” Tygra said.

“Hmm. I’ll send some help. Hawkhaven out.”

* * *

Hawkhaven.

Steelheart turned to Copper-Kidd. “Kidd, come over here.”

Copper-Kidd got up and came over to her. “Yes, ma’am?”

“Tygra tells me that the Luna‑tacks may be going to attack Cat’s Lair. Go over to third‑Earth on your Space Racer, and fix those lunar creeps before they moon anyone.”

He saluted her. “Aye, ma’am!” He wasted no words but went down to the hangar.

Bluegrass was checking the Mirage’s engines. “Hey, Kidd. What’s up?”

Copper-Kidd went to the Weapon Hawks’ room and called May-Day, his orange fighting hawk. “Some trouble on third‑Earth.”

“What kind?”

May-Day, the Sonic Hawk, came to Kidd’s shoulder and landed there. “Luna‑tacks.” Copper-Kidd went over to and got upon his Space Racer and readied it.

“Luna‑tacks?” Bluegrass despised the evil creatures even worse than Melodia hated him, especially Luna. “Well, you be careful around those creeps, Kidd. And give that nasty old Luna one for me!”

“I will.” When the Space Racer was ready, Kidd flashed on his visor. “See you later, Bluegrass!” He tweeted some orders to May-Day, then started accelerating. May-Day followed. When the Space Racer had cleared the perimeter of Hawkhaven, Kidd directed it to third‑Earth.

In the Command Center, Wilykat saw Kidd leave. “He’s gone, and how. That Space Racer of his can really fly. He’s already crossed the former Light-Year Limit.”

“Good,” Steelheart said. “Still, I hope sending him was not a mistake.”

“Why would you think that?” asked Steelwill.

“I should prefer not to discuss such reasons, Will, not even with you. Just send a message to Tygra to tell him that we sent Kidd and that he should watch out for an early moonrise.”

Steelwill giggled slightly, but he cleared his throat. “Aye, ma’am.”

Steelheart turned to Lion‑O. “The Command Center is becoming sparsely populated.”

“Yeah,” he agreed. “Where are Hotwing and Flashback?”

“Deep-space assignment. They’re examining a solar system on the edge of the galaxy for human colonization.”

Lion‑O nodded in silent comprehension. The Thunderians had done similar colonization centuries ago. Now, who knew what had happened to those colonies? They were usually worlds that had no value except for housing Thunderians, who did not violate worlds inhabited by sentient beings unless those worlds’ sentient beings desired a more integrated society.

“Snarf, snarf. I told you there’d be trouble,” Snarf said. “I just knew it. Wherever we go, whatever we do, trouble tags along. Oh, snarf!”

So do you, Snarf, Wilykat thought to himself.

The female Thunder Kitten shook her head. “Sometimes, you worry too much, Snarf.”

“She’s right, Snarf,” said Wilykat. He very quietly added, “For once.”

“Oh, you can really insult me, Wilykat,” Wilykit said, only pretending to be insulted.

“What?”

“You said, ‘For once,’ very quietly, my brother.”

“How can you tell?” asked Steelheart.

“She has this, ah, gift,” said Lion‑O.

“No, it’s a curse. A curse on me,” exclaimed Wilykat. This amused many. “The only Thunder Cat who can hear better than she is Lynx‑O, and that is because Lynx‑O’s blind, and—you get the picture.”

“Why do you call it a curse on yourself, Wilykat?” Steelheart asked.

Wilykit smiled. “Because that mischievous brother of mine can’t insult me under his breath and get away with it.”

“Well, you aren’t exactly the best-behaved little lady in the galaxy. You are every bit as mischievous as I.”

As always, he struck the right nerve. “Says who?”

“Uh, Wilykit, calm down,” Lion‑O said. That did not work most of the time, but it worked often enough for him to say it at least.

To his relief, Wilykit slowly drew in a deep breath and let it out just as slowly. Wilykit was getting back her temper but was still on edge. “Sorry, Lion‑O. It’s just that a certain brother of mine makes me angry at times.”

“Taunting you is too easy, ’Kit. You lose your temper too easily. You need to learn just to accept what I say without letting it aggravate you.”

“Aggravating me is what you intend!”

“Yes, and, if you keep letting what I say aggravate you, I’ll just want to go on and on and on with trying to annoy you. If you want me to stop, don’t let it aggravate you.”

“Forget it.” She turned to her monitor. “You can be—”

Wilykat saw a button on his panel begin to flash. Just in time, he thought. “Something’s wrong here.” He pressed the flashing button. His screen reverted to a view of the wall of a reserve. Someone was torching his way in. “Where is this?”

“Darn it,” Steelheart expelled. “That’s the main reserve. And that wall’s being torched through.” When the hole had been finished, Mo‑Lec‑U‑Lar, A‑Tom‑U‑Lar, and Volt‑Ure used it as a point of entry. She swore emphatically. Everyone turned and looked at her.

“Cursing?” said Steelwill. “You’re the last person I’d expect to do that, Steelheart.”

“Well, I’ve done it. Mo‑Lec‑U‑Lar, A‑Tom‑U‑Lar, and Volt‑Ure have torched their way into the main monetary reserve in Geneva. So sue me for being awfully darned P.O.ed right now.”

Steelwill was smiling. “I’ll call the lawyer Perry Mason immediately.”

Steelheart was instantly infuriated. “That is not what I meant, and you know it.”

“So, you are as annoying as Wilykat,” Wilykit said.

“Wilykit,” snapped Wilykat.

“At times, I can be,” Steelwill said. “I used to do it much worse when we were younger.”

“Yes, but not nearly as badly as our older brothers,” Steelheart said. She went over to Steelwill’s communication panel and contacted Quicksilver, Condor, and Moonstriker. “Quick, Condor, and Moonstriker, where are you?”

“We’re passing within the Moon’s orbit right now, Steelheart,” Quicksilver said. “Why?”

“Mo‑Lec‑U‑Lar, A‑Tom‑U‑Lar, and Volt‑Ure have broken into the main monetary reserve in Geneva. Get down there and arrest those blasted crooks. And I mean do it yesterday, Quicksilver.”

“I get the point, Steelheart. Quicksilver out.” Steelheart cut off the communication and held back another curse.

“If this doesn’t teach the citizens of Earth not to keep all their eggs in one basket, I don’t know what in the world will.”

* * *

Terran Monetary Reserve, Geneva, die Schweiz, second‑Earth.

Mo‑Lec‑U‑Lar and his brother were inside the monetary reserve’s outer wall. Mo laughed. “Great plan, A‑Tom‑U‑Lar. This will lure those Silver Bozos here in nothing flat.”

A‑Tom‑U‑Lar went to a position behind a wall. “I’ll transform into a guard,” he said. “You make like you’re fighting me, and let me fight you out. As a guard, I’ll say, ‘I managed to fight off Mo‑Lec‑U‑Lar, that guy that looked like him, and Mo‑Lec‑U‑Lar’s buzzard, Silver Hawks.’ Then, when they believe that everything’s on the up-and-up, I’ll get them.”

“Good idea. Let’s do it.” A‑Tom‑U‑Lar transformed into a guard. They heard the Sprint Hawk land outside. “They’re here. Let’s make this look good, bro.” They got in a position that would make it appear as though a guard had been fighting off Mo‑Lec‑U‑Lar. Then, Volt‑Ure zipped out as though he had been punched out. A‑Tom‑U‑Lar pretended to punch Mo‑Lec‑U‑Lar out of the building.

The Silver Hawks saw Mo and Volt‑Ure roll out of the reserve and thought that a guard had managed to fight off Mo‑Lec‑U‑Lar and Volt‑Ure. Mo and Volt‑Ure transformed into missiles and headed off.

Quicksilver led the way inside. “Did you manage fight them off by yourself, guard?”

A‑Tom‑U‑Lar disguised his voice. “Yes, sir, Colonel Quicksilver. I managed to fight off Mo‑Lec‑U‑Lar and that tin buzzard of his. I got that other guy that was with them before he knew what hit him. He’s behind this wall. I think he’s dangerous. You go first.” The three Silver Hawks went in front of him. When the Silver Hawks turned the corner, they saw they were in—

“A dead end!”

A‑Tom‑U‑Lar no longer disguised his Mo‑Lec‑U‑Lar-like voice. “And the trap is sprung!” He transformed to normal. “Allow me to introduce myself. I am called A‑Tom‑U‑Lar. You should have suspected something when you noticed that the badge was on the wrong side for a guard. Ha, ha!” He aimed his bolt-hand at the Silver Hawks. “A‑Tomic‑Tar will immobilize even the strongest of Silver Hawks.” He sprayed the icky, sticky substance on the three unfortunate Silver Hawks.

“Yuck,” cried Moonstriker. “Don’t worry. My turbine will fix this junk.” He tried to spin his turbine, but it was stuck. “Oh, great. Now, you can worry.”

“As a souvenir of my visit, my bro and I intend to make off with all the latinum and gold in the joint and crash the planet’s economy. See you around, tar-tweets. Ha, ha, ha!” He went toward the huge vault.

“Ooh, my first encounter with him, and I already hate him,” said Moonstriker.

“Good thing I remembered to do something before coming,” Condor said. His Talon-Gun began to glow and melt the A‑Tomic‑Tar. When the tar had completely melted off him, he grabbed his Talon-Gun.

“Stop A‑Tom‑U‑Lar, Condor,” said Quicksilver. “Then come back for us.”

“Aye, sir.” He ran after A‑Tom‑U‑Lar. “Hold it right there, A‑Tom‑U‑Lar.”

“What? How did you burst out of my A‑Tomic‑Tar?”

“I had already set my talon-gun to melt it in case you tried to tar us, quark-brain.” He fired his Talon-Gun and wrapped up A‑Tom‑U‑Lar. “You shouldn’t mess with a pro. I stopped your teeny heist, A‑Tom‑U‑Lar.” He put a straight-jacket on A‑Tom‑U‑Lar and took his Atomic-Transformation Ring. A laser shot flew over his head. “What?” He turned around to see Steelheart standing there. “Steelheart? What did you do that for?”

“What are you doing to this man?” she asked.

“You told me—”

“He’s an honest, hard-working, law-abiding citizen. He was asked to transfer needed funds to the Bedlama Treasury.”

“Is that so, Mo‑Lec‑U‑Lar?”

“I assure you that I am Steelheart.”

“Then, why is your shadow that of Mo‑Lec‑U‑Lar?”

Mo‑Lec‑U‑Lar turned back to normal. “Blast you, Silver Hawk.” He did that, knocking back Condor with a laser from his bolt-hand. He grabbed A‑Tom‑U‑Lar and A‑Tom‑U‑Lar’s Atomic-Transformation Ring, which Condor had dropped; transformed himself, A‑Tom‑U‑Lar, and Volt‑Ure into missiles; and took off with his two companions to Brim*Star.

“Dag blast it, they got away,” said Condor. He went to the other two Silver Hawks and freed them each with a couple of blasts from his Talon-Gun.

“It sure feels good to be out of there,” Quicksilver said.

“They decided to vamoose. They didn’t get away with anything, though.”

“We ought to get back to Hawkhaven,” said Moonstriker. Quicksilver nodded in agreement.

“Let’s go.” They left. Quicksilver got in the Sprint Hawk and took it to Hawkhaven. Moonstriker and Condor used their flying devices to leave.

* * *

Command Center, Hawkhaven.

At Hawkhaven, the journeying Silver Hawks related their findings to Steelheart. “This A‑Tom‑U‑Lar seems like one tough customer,” Steelheart said. “I think you’re lucky to be back alive, instead of in three nicely-carved pine boxes.”

“We’re lucky I decided to set my talon-gun for tar-melting,” Condor added.

“We even overlooked his small weakness when he was playing ‘guard,’ ” said Quicksilver.

“C’mon, Quicksilver,” Wilykit said consolingly. “No one’s perfect.”

“Could’ve fooled me,” Wilykat whispered. Wilykit did not let the remark go without a little growl.

“Snarf, snarf. I knew there’d be trouble. I just knew it. Quick, Lion‑O. Let’s get back to third‑Earth and fight off the Luna‑tacks. It’s safer than this A‑Tom‑U‑Lar character.”

“No, Snarf. Thunder Cats have a moral obligation to think about their friends’ safety. The others ought to be safe. We’re staying put.”

“Yes,” whispered Wilykat. This time, Wilykit smiled nicely at him.

“All right, everyone,” Steelheart said. “Keep a sharp eye on those monitors. I want to know A‑Tom‑U‑Lar’s next action the second it occurs.”

* * *

Brim*Star.

“I wish I’d had some feathers so those bird-brains would have been completely humiliated,” said A‑Tom‑U‑Lar.

“Ooh, tar and feather them. Yes,” said Yes‑Man.

“You say you have another phase?” Mon*Star asked.

“I certainly do,” A‑Tom‑U‑Lar said. “You know the planet Automata controls most of the computer systems in the galactic sector?”

“Of course I do.”

“Well, in this next phase—”

* * *

Cat’s Lair, third‑Earth.

“I’m reading something shaped like a castle flying toward the Lair,” said Cheetara.

“Put it on the main viewer,” Tygra said. The main viewer activated. “Sky Tomb. Where are they?”

“Dag blast it,” said Panthro. “They’re a kilometer away.” Through the woods came the dreaded Sky Tomb, which landed across the chasm from Cat’s Lair.

* * *

Sky Tomb.

Tug‑mug helped put the Sky Tomb down across from Cat’s Lair. “We’re there, Luna.”

“Excellent,” said Luna. “Blast their fortress, and destroy their bridge.” A cannon protruded from Sky Tomb’s side. It blew out the bridge with a huge cannonball.

* * *

Cat’s Lair.

“Uh, oh,” Panthro said. He would have used another word if he had a mind for it. “Not good news. The Luna‑tacks have destroyed the bridge.”

“They have all weapons locked on us,” cried Cheetara. A jarring motion occurred. “We’ve been hit.”

“Any damage?” Tygra asked.

“Our weapons systems are down to 76 percent, and the power-line to the hyperspace communicator has been completely severed.”

“Open fire.” Cheetara pressed several buttons. The head of the lair looked at Sky Tomb. Lasers shot out of its eyes and blasted Sky Tomb.

* * *

Sky Tomb.

However, Sky Tomb remained relatively unscathed. “Blast those darned cats with another set of positron-rays,” Luna said. Aluro pulled a lever. Sky Tomb blasted the Lair again.

* * *

Cat’s Lair.

In the Lair, power began going out. “Oh, no,” said Cheetara. “Weapons systems down to 23 percent power, and power-lines to everything have been damaged. We can’t withstand another hit of that kind without losing all power.”

* * *

Sky Tomb.

Back in Sky Tomb, the villains were scanning the Lair. Luna laughed. This was one time where her good mood should not be deemed strange. “Excellent. Their power is down. Intensify the strength of the positron rays by five times, and blast those dogs of cats again.” Aluro recalibrated the rays.

A blip appeared on Red‑eye’s tracking device. “Someone’s coming.”

“Who?”

“It’s that Copper-Kidd, Luna.”

Instantly, Luna’s normal atrocious mood returned. “Another pest. Freeze him, Chilla.” Chilla poked her head out a window. Something whacked her in the head and knocked her out on the floor. “Yaah! What in Satan’s home was that?” Kidd burst through the wall directly into the control room by piloting his Space Racer to enter through the window. “It’s that Silver Brat.”

Aluro blasted Kidd with the ray from his Psych Club. “You must not resist, Copper-Kidd. You must give in.” Determined not to be mesmerized again, Kidd immediately sent one of his discs flying and whacked Aluro in the head to knock him out.

“Look pretty for the Carbine, Kidd,” Tug‑mug said. He fired a ball of energy from his Gravity Carbine at Kidd, but Kidd dodged this blast and knocked out Tug‑mug with a shoulder laser. “Oof!”

“Don’t try invisibility if you have it,” Red‑eye said. “And don’t try to hide. I can see your heat.” He fired at Kidd with one of his weapons, but Kidd dodged this. The young Silver Hawk grabbed one of his discs and whacked Red‑eye in the head with it. Luna looked around and took careful stock of the situation.

“You disgraceful idiots,” said Luna. “Get him, Amok.” Her steed, Amok, charged for Kidd, who dodged him. He crashed Luna‑first into the wall! With all six Luna‑tacks knocked out, Kidd programmed Sky Tomb to return to Fire‑rock Mountain. Luckily, there was a list of places to go already programmed into the computer.

This done, he got onto his Space Racer when he had finished and left. Sky Tomb took off and left. Kidd went across the chasm to Cat’s Lair’s door, May-Day closely following. He leapt off his Space Racer, flashed off his visor, went up the steps to the door, and pressed the door signal sounder.

* * *

Cat’s Lair.

“Can you tell who’s paying us a visit?” asked Tygra.

Panthro worked with his controls. “Almost.” His screen showed him Copper-Kidd at the door. “It’s Copper-Kidd. And it seems as though he’s fought off the Luna‑tacks.”

“This place isn’t in much shape for visitors,” Cheetara said.

“That’s for sure,” Tygra said. “It’ll take some work to get Cat’s Lair fully functional again. But let’s greet our guest.” They went down to the door and opened it. “Good afternoon, Kidd.”

“Hello,” said Kidd. “It doesn’t seem like a very good one.”

“Those Luna‑tacks would have destroyed this place if you hadn’t come along,” Cheetara said. Tygra shook hands with Kidd.

“Thanks for saving us from them,” Tygra said.

“You’re welcome,” Kidd said. “It’s my job.”

“And I’m darned glad it is,” said Panthro.

“The Luna‑tacks blew out our communication systems, so we can’t contact Lion‑O,” Cheetara said.

“Use the one on my Space Racer,” Copper-Kidd said. They went to his small vehicle. He activated the communication device.

“Cat’s Lair to Hawkhaven,” said Tygra. “Please come in.” Steelwill appeared on the monitor on Kidd’s Space Racer.

“This is Hawkhaven, Cat’s Lair,” said Steelwill.

“We’re communicating to you via the communicator on Copper-Kidd’s Space Racer,” Tygra said. “The Luna‑tacks attacked, blew out Cat’s Lair’s communications systems, and knocked our power-supply system out of line. It’ll take a lot of work to get it operational again. We’re calling to inform you that the Luna‑tacks are no longer an immediate threat, thanks to Kidd.”

“Very well. I’ll inform Steelheart and Lion‑O of your status immediately after transmission is cut. What are you going to do?”

“Well, we three Thunder Cats will try get the Lair functional again. Kidd should return to Hawkhaven and help you with your problem. Speaking of that, how is it?”

“That A‑Tom‑U‑Lar is still a threat. We managed to stop what he was originally up to, but he got away. He may be—” A red-alert alarm sounded. “Correction: he is going to do something.”

“Well, we won’t detain you any longer,” Cheetara said. Tygra, Panthro, and I will work on the Lair, and Kidd will join you up there at Hawkhaven.”

“Okay.” The image on the Space Racer’s viewscreen reverted to a Hawk’s-Head and the message, ‘End of Transmission.’

After that, Kidd got onto the Space Racer and started it up. “Good luck, guys.”

“Same to you, Kidd,” said Tygra. “And thanks again.”

“Don’t mention it.” Kidd took off for Hawkhaven at top speed.