The next six months were a trial by fire for Ardua. It was hard for Ardua at first, she had to memorize hundreds of laws for space traffic and learn them word for word, patrol procedures, as well as fine details of the operation of the many interplanetary vessels that used the space ways.  Ardua felt overwhelmed at first, and she even entertained thoughts of quitting, but she was stubborn and wouldn't let the situation lick her, the real reason why she stayed though was that she thought a lot about Panthro and decided to tough it out. Panthro the Mighty didn't raise a quitter.
      Eventually Ardua found her niche, and made friends, as well as an especially close one, Xya Tyldic a native of the Plundarian ice moon.
      Thanks to Panthro and the other Thundercat's training, Ardua was proficient in self defense, and ordinance operation, so proficient in fact, that she had been noticed by one of the part time teachers at the academy, Officer Mandora evil chaser first class.  Mandora was a legend in the evil chasing profession and well known for two things, her fairness, and willingness to do whatever it took, within legal means, to bring a perpetrator in.
       At the end of Ardua's training Mandora recommended that she be commissioned as evil chaser second class, along with Xya Tyldic, based on their performance, control agreed, and upon graduation, and contract signing, Ardua received her second class badge.  The conditions of the contract required three years of service, with one month off for mental health concerns.  Mandora saw to it that Ardua was assigned to quadrant 39, which was her old bailiwick, and kept an eye on her secretly as a favor to Lion-O and the Thundercats.
      Ardua enjoyed the evil chasing business at first, she made some good friends, had a few innocuous adventures, and some laughs.  The law of averages soon caught up with Ardua though, and she had a couple of close scrapes that could have easily ended her life, and made her reconsider the career she was pursuing.  The worst of the incidents began when she was shot in the arm, by a fugitive she, Tyldic, and Lynxana, a bounty hunter  were bringing in.  By the time the news that Ardua had been hurt had reached New Thundera it had grown into a rumor that she was killed.  A fevered call to Cat's Lair Third Earth, then to Interplanetary Control relieved everyone.
      The incident though terrifying it had been, was also a boon to Ardua, both she and her friend Tyldic were awarded the coveted rank of evil chaser first class for their bravery by the Interplanetary Control Board.  They received their badges, boomslangs, electra chargers, and paid weekends off just within a year of service.  Both Ardua and Tyldic tried to not let the new privileges and power go to their heads, or flaunt it much in front of their fellows, they both knew that it was dumb luck that they were in the right place at the wrong time, but it was hard at times though, because they were the envy of the control officers they graduated with.
     As Ardua got into the new routine of her duties, she had more extra time than she knew what to do with, she was bored, but soon found a novel way to spend her spare time on the gray penal planet.  One of Ardua's duties was to fly by the Control surplus yard and make sure it was locked.  By sheer luck she found an old, junked electra charger and fixed it up.  Ardua hated to part with 3000 credits for it, but appreciated the bike just the same, it meant no more bumming rides with Captain Bragg from the penal planet to Third Earth.  Ardua also broke the monotony of life on the penal planet with vidmail, and radio transmissions.   Ardua would also receive the occasional package from home like candy fruit from Brod and Wilykit, tools from Panthro, and a beautifully made necklace from Tyger, all of them delectable tastes from home.  Eventually Ardua's vacation month approached, it was time too, for she was extremely homesick.
      Ardua bought an intergalactic drive from the surplus yard, it took a months worth of free time but by the time the part was installed, it was time for Ardua to depart for New Thundera.
      Ardua packed her belongings in the storage bins of the bike then put a rolled paper inside on top of everything gingerly, a special project she wanted to build.  Ardua said goodbye to her partner Officer Tyldic and blasted off for New Thundera, happy that she would see her friends and family soon.  After three days travel, New Thundera loomed in front of her, it was beautiful.
      Ardua broke through the atmosphere of Thundera and streaked towards Jaga City.  After the ion field around her bike broke she raised Cat's Lair.  "Cat's Lair this is Officer Ardua Darkslayer evil chaser first class, permission to land at these co-ordinates." Snarfer who was on guard duty that day responded, "Oh yes, snarfer, snarfer, welcome home, Ardua, oooh, boy howdy. Request to land granted." Ardua laughed and said, "Copy that, Lair, Ardua out."  Snarfer ran through Cat's Lair telling everyone that Ardua was home.
       Meanwhile Ardua decided to let Tyger know that she was back in her own way.  Ardua flew near the forge, got over it, then revved the engine, it made a horrendously loud noise, Tyger ran to the window in time to see Ardua flying away, her white ponytail flapping in the breeze, and to hear her laugh over the noise of her bike's motor.  Bengali and Pumyra called a cessation to the day's work because they knew that they wouldn't get any more work out of Tyger knowing Ardua was home.  Ardua made her way to Cat's Lair, landed in the back and went inside.
      Ardua was surrounded by a horde of Thundercats.  Panthro picked Ardua up and swung her around in the air, she smiled and laughed as he jubilantly said, "Welcome home!"  The other Thundercats stood back and let Panthro finish greeting her.  "Come on now, Ardua, let me see those beautiful brown eyes!" Ardua complied and Panthro said, "There's my girl!"  Panthro hugged Ardua again and then stood back for the other Thundercats to greet her.  Ardua knelt and gently hugged Snarf and then Snarfer and gave them gifts of snarfnip.  Cheetara and Tygra jointly embraced Ardua, then Kera and Tygro almost knocked her to the floor.
      Shortly after Ardua's arrival Bengali, Pumyra, and Tyger walked towards the group.  Pumyra hugged and kissed Ardua and said,"You have been gone too long!" Bengali then hugged Ardua, "It's so good to see you again, and thanks for throwing us some business, by the way." Ardua winked and gave Bengali the thumbs up. "No problem."  Ardua looked at Tyger and without a word flung her arms around him and held him tightly.  Kera and Tygro looked at each other and smiled. "I sure have missed you, 'Tyg! Thanks for the necklace, again, i'm wearing it now."  Ardua released Tyger and stretched her neck so he could see.
      Tyger had made the necklace out of gold, a rare metal. On Thundera gold had no value, but Tyger thought it was a pretty metal, and that it must be worth something somewhere for Char wanted to part with as little of it as possible, and it was expensive.  "You are welcome,'Dua." Tyger went to his room to wash, and think about had just happened.  As Tyger bathed,  the other Thundercats played catch up with Ardua.  As they all spoke, Lion-O had requested to see Ardua's badge, as he fiddled with it, and looked at her arrest record on the mini computer, three very worn pictures fell onto the floor.  The first was a group shot of the Thundercats,  the second was a picture of Panthro, and Ardua when she was a child leaning against the Thundertank with their teeth bared and their arms flexed like body builders, the last and most worn was a picture of she and Tyger with Kera and Tygro in the background.  Lion-O surreptitiously slipped the pictures back into the badge and handed it back to Ardua.
      Ardua passed out bags of candy to everyone as gifts and Tyger returned from his ablutions. "I bought this candy from a Wollo named Regit on Third Earth, it's called chocolate.  He has a confectionary shop in Arednuht." The men were not as impressed with the candy as the women were.
       Lion-O had changed the topic to the highly publicized drug bust near the light year limit that Ardua had participated in.  Tyger sat down with the group and chimed in about the officer that had been hurt, and how they all had been frightened by her escapade with Lynxana.  Ardua looked at Tyger, giving him the "shut up look".  "Yes," Said Panthro. Ardua glared at Tyger. "let's see your shoulder. It's only grazed, Father. You were still pretty lucky." Panthro said with an air of authority.  Tyger hastily changed the subject.  "That's a nice looking scoot you have out there, Ardua.  Thank you,Tyger." Ardua said in a mildly irritated tone. "It's a lot nicer looking than the pictures you sent me of it before you started work on it, are you going to give me a ride?"  Ardua responded with mischief on her voice. "I'll think about it." Ardua wickedly smiled. Panthro looked at Ardua and Tyger with a raised eyebrow and said, "You are really lucky you weren't killed!"  Ardua knew Tyger hadn't meant to get Panthro started on a tangent, but she still gave him the "i'm going to kill you look" anyway.  While the others continued speaking, Tyger smiled nervously and shrugged his shoulders.  Kera and Tygro, greatly entertained by the silent exchange, giggled.
      After a lengthy meal in the evening, Ardua took everyone, who wanted, on a ride on her electra charger.  Panthro and Ardua arrived back at Cat's Lair after a thirty minute ride.  "Well, Ardua," Panthro patted his daughter on the back."you have done a great job on this thing. It purrs like a well fed kitten, body work's good too!" Ardua smiled. "I had a great teacher."  Lion-O got on the bike put on a helmet, begged everyone not to tell Snarf where he was and blasted off with Ardua, after a short ride they landed.  Lion-O looked at the dwindling group of riders and held the helmet out in front of him and asked "Kera? You want to go next? Tygro?" The two shook their heads no leaving Tyger.  "I guess you are next then, 'Tyg." Lion-O handed the helmet to Tyger and he got onto the bike as Ardua revved the engine. Tyger put his arms around her, then took a quick glance towards Panthro and loosened his grip.  Lion-O looked at Panthro and grinned.  As Ardua hit the hover unit and the bike rose to a suitable distance vertically, Lion-O turned to Panthro and smiled. Panthro said in a dry voice, "Not one word, Lion-O!" The pair took off for their ride.  Lion-O and Panthro went inside the Lair leaving Kera and Tygro to conspiratorially snicker and play cards.  Tyger and Ardua rode around Jaga City visiting their old haunts.  After two hours of flight, the couple arrived back at Cat's Lair hangar windblown and chuckling.  Kera and Tygro were waiting for them.  "Thanks for the ride 'Dua. You're welcome.  I'm sorry about the thing earlier. Oh, that's okay," Ardua chucked Tyger's chin.  "it was bound to come up sooner or later."
      Kera stepped forward and said, "Okay, Tyger you have had Ardua long enough today! Come on, woman, we have some important gossiping to do, we're going to have a two girl slumber party! Oh, no!" Said Tygro. "Does that mean we all have to listen to you two giggle all night? YES!" Kera stuck her tongue out at her brother and dragged Ardua away by her arm, leaving Tyger and Tygro alone in the hangar.
       "Well, Tyger, did you enjoy your ride? Yeah, but Ardua is reckless, I almost fell off the bike once. Well," Said Tygro," At least you had an excuse to hold her tight." Tyger looked at Tygro unamused. "Look, Tyger why don't you just..." Tyger made a to Hell with it motion with his hands and walked away.  Tygro stood in the hangar, watched his friend leave and shook his head.
      Ardua and Kera, decided to have their "slumber party" in Kera's room.  As Tygro had predicted the two women giggled like small girls late into the evening.  Kera's room was next to Cheetara and Tygra's bedroom so their wall bore the brunt of the noise.  Tygra was unable to sleep, and so he tossed, in turn Cheetara couldn't sleep for Tygra's turning in bed.  "'Tara what can those two have left to talk about? Do they know what time it is?" Cheetara slid closer to her mate, put her arm over his chest, and kissed the back of his neck, where her mark had been placed years before.  "It's been a long time, Tiger, They're just catching up."  Tygra sighed. "At least Kera and Tygro aren't at that place again."  Another burst of girlish laughter penetrated the wall, and Tygra growled.  "I have a good mind to go in there and tell those two to be quiet and go to sleep!  Kera has charges to set tomorrow, she needs to be fully alert." Cheetara sighed.  "They're twenty two not twelve, Tygra. Please don't get upset, it's only one night. Do you remember how we were when we were younger, Tiger?"  Tygra held Cheetara's arm a little closer. "Yes, you remember that time we snuck out?" Cheetara laughed "Yes!" Cheetara stroked Tygra's chest, then cheek. "How could I forget, you saved my life."  Tygra purred and kissed her hand. "I had such a big crush on you then." Tygra paused, "I sure am glad that's over." Cheetara popped her mate on his bottom and then purred into his ear, soon he was asleep, and so in turn was Cheetara.
      The next morning Ardua and Kera went down to breakfast, partially awake.  Ardua at least managed to dress and make her hair into a ponytail, Kera had dressed as well, but disregarded her hair.  It was a wild tangle of   red and white, spotted, striped hair. Tygro laughed as soon as he saw it. "Kera, how many circuit breakers did you trip? Bwaahahahaha!"  Cheetara and the others tried not to laugh when Kera plucked a single hair from Tygro's head and made him rub his head in pain.  Tygra said gently,"Now, now." And the two stopped scrambling.
       Ardua looked at Panthro and asked, "Do you need any help today? No, you go out and have some fun today.  Well, I think i'll go to Bengali's forge today and see if you've taught Tyger anything new.  Well, 'Dua I think you'll be surprised, Tyger is a much better fighter, and he was good before.  Now i'm dying to try him out!"  Kera and Tygro cast each other sideways smiles, Cheetara cleared her throat and gave them both a disapproving look.  Tygra got up from his seat and put his hand on Tygro's shoulder. "Come on son, we have surveying to do. Okay, Dad, see you later Kera, 'Dua." Ardua waved at the two. Tygra looked at Kera "Two o'clock remember? Of course, the building is already wired."  Tygra kissed Cheetara on the cheek and left the room.
      Kera jumped up from the table and and said with glee, "I'm so excited, nothing starts a day quite like setting charges! See you later 'Dua, mom. Be careful, Kera. Don't blow yourself up!" Said Cheetara. Kera kissed Cheetara goodbye and ran down the hall singing rather loudly. "Thundercats are on the move, Thundercats are loose, Feel the magic, hear the...."  The voice trailed off down the hall.  "Well," said Cheetara, "let it never be said Kera isn't passionate about her work. That girl," Cheetara smiled as she shook her head.  "she always did love to kick down her blocks as a child. I never thought she'd wind up in demolitions, though."  Ardua sat in silence in a world of her own. "'Dua, what's troubling you dear? Oh nothing, I was just thinking.  About what?  In all the years I have sparred with Tyger, I can't remember him ever beating me, sometimes I think he lets me win. Oh, I don't think he would do that, he knows it would anger you." Cheetara paused, then continued.  "Did you know that Tyger is no longer seeing Zia? Yes. Kera told me." Cheetara smiled and looked at Ardua warmly. Ardua quickly rose and decided to leave, before the next logical topic sprang up.  "Well i'm going for my jog, see you later 'Tara."
      Ardua snapped on a watch, and headed for the front entrance of Cat's Lair, as she walked down the steps she tripped, tumbled down the last five steps and hit the "do not walk on grass" sign.  The gate guards ran over to Ardua and helped her slowly rise, as she checked herself she found she had a cut on her arm bleeding freely and said, "Damn it!"  The guards offered to take her inside, but she tied a handkerchief onto her arm thanked the guards for their assistance, and continued on her way.
      Ardua thought as she went along, maybe she should have gone inside and treated her cut a little better, but she was in a hurry, and patience was not one of her stronger suits. As Ardua ran, she checked her speed, she tried to run everyday to stay in shape, but her body was too bulky to have any real speed, no matter how hard she pushed. Ardua hated that fact to no end.
      As Ardua neared the forge, she could hear the rhythmic sound of hammer hitting anvil and metal. As she entered the doorway the mingled odors of burning coke and smoke, accentuated by musk tickled her nose.  Pumyra and Bengali were there, but Tyger's scent was the strongest.  Ardua stood, closed her eyes, and took it all in for a moment.  Ardua's heart slowed, but she began to perspire more because of the heat.
      Pumyra walked towards Ardua to greet her when her attention was drawn to her bloodied shirt and arm.  Pumyra approached Ardua and immediately began to access her wounds.  "What happened to you? Oh, I fell and got a little cut. 'Dua that's a gash! It doesn't even hurt!"  Pumyra brushed Ardua's hair aside and looked at a small cut on her forehead.  Bengali, Pumyra, and Tyger took Ardua into the utility area sat her down and Pumyra began mixing herbs.
      Bengali and Tyger reluctantly went back to work as Pumyra treated her patient.  Pumyra then put the wet poultice on the gash, and called to her son. "Tyger come here please, I need some help."  Pumyra's attention then turned to Ardua. "I'm sorry kid, I know you hate needles, but you need stitches." Ardua tried not to look afraid as Pumyra threaded a needle.
       Pumyra spread the cut apart with her fingers and irrigated it. "Yuck!" said Ardua.  As Pumyra stitched Ardua's skin together, Ardua shut her eyes as Tyger held her hand. Ardua's grip was sweaty and tight, by the time Pumyra had finished, Tyger was in misery as well, for she had a strong grip.
        Bengali gave the anvil three quick taps, which meant he needed help.  Tyger turned to leave but Pumyra said, "Tyger do you think you can handle the patient? I hope so." Pumyra smiled and left the two alone.
      Tyger ground some other herbs and wet them with water. "'Dua, i'm afraid this is going to sting."  Ardua dryly replied, "Oh goody." Tyger smiled then put the solution onto her arm and she winced, he blew on her arm to help the stinging subside. Tyger then diluted the mixture and dabbed it on her forehead, then blew on it.  "Does it still hurt? A little, but thank you just the same."
       Tyger bent down and kissed Ardua on the forehead near her injury. "That's what mom used to do when I got hurt."  They looked at each other in silence for a few moments, then Tyger began cleaning the dried blood off of her arm, when he was finished Ardua got up and walked out of the utility room, Tyger followed.  "I came here to challenge you to a little fight, 'Tyg but in light of my arm being held together with string, I think I should abstain from sparring for a day."
       Ardua looked around then at Tyger. "I'm sorry, Tyger I should go, i'm interrupting your work. No, i'm glad you came, gave me a chance to practice. Are you going to eat at Cat's Lair tonight, Tyg?  I guess, why? I just wondered.  I'd better go."  Ardua walked into the forge area. "Pumyra, Bengali, thank you both for patching me up."  Pumyra and Bengali said you're welcome in unison, and Ardua headed out the door.  As Ardua left Tyger watched her leave, Pumyra put her hand on Tyger's shoulder gave it a loving pat and went to help his father.
      Ardua walked back to the Lair in order not to tempt fate a second time in the same day, as she walked she admired the neat stitching job done by Pumyra.  Ardua began to think about her's and Tyger's ride on the electra charger, and how tight he had held her, how sweet he was to her that day, the cute way he looked as he ministered to her, how good he smelled, and the kiss.
      Ardua stopped in her tracks.  Her face felt warm.  She was blushing.  Ardua resumed walking, but did so more quickly. "Are you the one with the crush now? You did spend the better part of a year and a half thinking of him, you hypocrite."
      Ardua began to think of who she could talk to candidly about matters of the heart. "Panthro? No!, Cheetara? No., Pumyra? About maybe loving her son, and the rich fantasy life you concocted with him as the star? Not quite!, Kera? Hell no!, Wilykit? Hmmmmm. And she did invite you to come visit.  If anyone knows about weird relationship twists, it would be Wilykit."
      When Ardua got back to Cat's Lair she contacted Wilykit. Later that evening, Ardua loaded two days worth of clothing onto her bike.  She was heading to the Valley of Snarfs the next day.