Darkslayer Part Eight: The Plan, and Third Earth Thundercats
Are Go! Lion-O walked into the control room.
Panthro and Tygra had set up secreted communications with the Cat's Lair
Third Earth and the New Tower of Omens. "Cheetara, did you find any
records of a Caldos Palace? Yes, Lion-O old maps, and detailed diagrams
of the exterior of the palace, intelligence from the days of your father,
Claud-Us. Good," Said Lion-O. "it may be old information, but something
is better than nothing, perhaps we can compare the old to the new and see
what has changed to better appraise our options of penetrating the palace."
Cheetara looked at Lion-O. "That's a great idea!" Panthro, Tygra,
are the telescreen relays ready for transmission from here to the council
chamber? Yes, we finished the last hook ups a few minutes ago, Lion-O."
Said Tygra. "Are the Third Earth Thundercats assembled?" Asked Lion-O "Yes."
Said Panthro. "Ready and waiting." Lion-O looked at his chronometer.
"An hour is almost up, Panthro, Tygra, let us go to the council chamber,
everyone should be assembling for the council meeting. Cheetara?
Yes Lion-O? I want you to stay here and make printouts of the spy star
transmissions when they come in, enough for everyone to have an individual
copy, and one to put up on telescreen two, we won't be able to make any
real plans without them. When you have them, and send the information
to Cat's Lair Third Earth, and the Tower, join us as soon as possible.
You can count on me Lion-O." Lion-O turned to leave, then looked at Cheetara
with mischief. "Make me a cup of coffee too, and hold all my calls!"
Lion-O smiled and then laughed aloud at Cheetara when she balled a piece
of paper and threw it playfully at his head. Tygra pat Lion-O on
the shoulder as he laughed. "Cheetara is MY secretary!" Panthro backed
away. "You guys better watch out, that woman has a power staff, and knows
how to use it!" Cheetara looked at her friends. "That's right," Cheetara
looked at Tygra with a crooked smile. "I wouldn't be so bold if I were
you, you are in a world of trouble now as it is," Cheetara giggled
as the words exited her mouth. "Tiger Man!" Tygra looked at his mate with
feigned fear, snapped his whip and turned invisible. "That won't save your
striped behind!" Cheetara teased. Lion-O laughed at Cheetara's witty exchange
with air. "You're not really mad at me are you, 'Tara? Oh, Tygra
don't be silly!" Tygra turned visible again and Cheetara lobbed a balled
piece of paper at his head, and made a direct hit. "See how mean
she is to me, Lion-O?" Tygra laughed, as he playfully hid behind Lion-O.
"Make her stop! Oh, no." Said Lion-O, "this is between you two!"
Lion-O grabbed Tygra from behind him, and used him as a human shield against
the paper projectiles. Lion-O and Panthro laughed as Cheetara prepared
more pieces of paper for throwing, all of the men scattered out of the
room, as she began to indiscriminately throw at them. Pumyra, Tyger,
Bengali, Wilykit, and Brod stood outside the door, and witnessed as the
Lord of the Thundercats, Panthro, and Tygra hastily retreated from the
control room, as paper projectiles flew copiously from the doorway.
The control room door closed and the three men began laughing uncontrollably.
Pumyra looked at the men and said with a wide grin, "I don't even want
to know." That statement made them laugh even more heartily. As they
settled down, Lion-O said, "Come on, we have serious business to attend
to." As everyone filed into the council
chamber, Wilykit stood aside. Lion-O put his arm around her and led her
inside. Wilykit didn't feel right about being in a Thundercat council
meeting, and she stopped and whispered, "Lord Lion-O, may we speak?" Lion-O
nodded and they went outside the doorway. "Yes, Wilykit? Lord Lion-O, Hey,
now," Said Lion-O gently, "i'm just Lion-O to you, okay? Lion-O,
I don't think I should be in the council chambers with a full Thundercat
council, I gave up that privilege. Yes, but we are probably going to need
your skills, Wilykit, and since this mission effects you and your family,
you have the privilege, really the right to sit in and contribute to something
that effects you." Lion-O looked at his old friend kindly. "I assure you,
no one will object to your presence, let's go." Wilykit smiled and entered
the council chamber and took a seat next to Tyger. Wilykit looked
at him and saw how the worry had tired him, and patted his hand.
Tyger looked at Wilykit, half smiled, then focused his attention to Lion-O
and the telescreen. "Alright," Said Lion-O. "this meeting will now
come to order." for thirty minutes Lion-O and the others brought the Third
Earth Thundercats up to speed on the situation. Cheetara brought
in transcripts of the spy star transmission, Kera rose to pass out the
transcripts, while Cheetara made her way to her seat next to Tygra. Cheetara prompted the spy star images
onto the other telescreen on the wall. "As you see, Thundercats, this is
Caldos Palace, inspires confidence, doesn't it?" The others laughed, bringing
some much needed levity to the meeting. "Unfortunately," Continued
Cheetara, "Ardua has no tracking device on her person, so we cannot be
certain that she is there, however Caldos Palace would be the logical location
for her to be. According to Lord Claud-Us' intelligence, Caldos Palace
is the traditional home for the Emperor and the entire ruling class to
live. We have learned definitely that the Emperor had her abducted, so
it is only logical for her abductor to keep her close to him. The
real problem with Caldos Palace is that it is a large military complex
as well, impregnating it will be very difficult." Lion-O looked at
Cheetara. "How do we know the Emperor is at Caldos Palace? We don't,
but according to the spy star transmissions, the Plundarians are fortifying
their defenses, and moving troops and weaponry to the area, as if they
have anticipated the Thundercats going to Plundarr to rescue Ardua." Cheetara
stood and looked at everyone. "It stands to reason that the Emperor would
fortify his dwelling place, or where he is going to be in the near future.
It is as if Plundarr is preparing for a full scale invasion." Cheetara
sat down. "It gets even worse. From the old records from Claud-Us
I found that his spies penetrated Caldos Palace to copy plans to the Plundarian
war machine the Warbot. After that Emperor Delgar found the weaknesses
in the palace and further built onto it and strengthening it against invaders.
I compared the old Caldos Palace layout with the new, and all of the secret
entrance ways discovered and earmarked by Claud-Us have been eliminated."
Very good, Cheetara, thank you." Said Lion-O. "Alright, everyone
I need your input now. How do we attack this problem? We cannot possibly
allow Ardua to be held there, but we don't want to start a war with them
either." For three hours the Thundercats bounced around ideas, and
made proposals. They had all decided against contacting the Plundarian
Emperor and bargaining for Ardua's release, that would reveal her worth
to him, and he would have them by the throat. Thundercat policy dictated
that they not pay ransom in any form, Panthro reasoned that if she were
princess like their involuntary informant said, he would not release her
anyway. Everyone was tired, hungry, and
a few were getting cranky, Tyger had to be threatened with expulsion from
the council room by Lion-O to make him calm down. Lion-O stood. "I
propose that everyone take a two hour break. Go get something to eat, drink,
please, all of you try to relax. At the end of two hours we will
reconvene." As everyone dispersed Lion-O felt a comforting hand on his
shoulder, it was Cheetara. "Lion-O, you will come up with something,
i'm sure of it. I wish I had your faith." Lion-O looked up at Cheetara
and smiled. Tyger walked up to Lion-O. "I'm sorry I lost my temper,
Lord Lion-O." Tyger looked down. "I understand completely, Tyger, there
is no need for recriminations. I know you are worried about Ardua,
but we need to stay calm and be rational, anger is counterproductive."
Lion-O put his hand on Tyger's shoulder. "Why don't you go get something
to eat and rest a little bit? You don't want Ardua to see you looking rough
when we rescue her, do you?" Tyger looked up and smiled widely, then set
off for the kitchen. Lion-O sat in the empty council chamber and
pondered his options. As Lion-O sat a shimmer of blue appeared in
the corner of his eye. "Jaga! You are troubled, Son? You know about
the situation, Jaga? Yes. Jaga, I have heard several good plans, but if
Cheetara's information is correct the Plundarians are preparing for war."
Jaga looked at Lion-O kindly, wisely, and then spoke. "Lion-O sometimes
it is best to allow your enemies to.....believe they have the upper hand.
Thank you, Jaga." Jaga disappeared as quickly and gracefully as he
arrived. Lion-O pondered what Jaga said. An idea flashed into
Lion-O's head. "Believe!" He ran to the keypad of the council
chamber wall and turned on the intercom system. Will Tygra, Panthro,
and Lynxana Please come to the council chamber as soon as possible. Panthro Tygra, and Lynxana filed
into the council chamber. Lion-O looked at Panthro. "Close and lock the
door, Panthro. Make sure that we cannot be heard." Panthro looked at Lion-O
curiously, but followed his orders. "Everyone please sit." The others did.
"I have an idea of how to get into Caldos Palace, the Plundarians will
let us in of their own accord, even." Panthro stroked his chin. "Well,
Lion-O, how are you going to complete this work of magic?" Lion-O looked
wickedly at the others. "We will let them catch us." The others looked
at Lion-O as if he were insane. "That's suicide!" Said Panthro. "
No, no , think about it, if we do it this way, the Emperor will be convinced
that he is in control of us, and the situation." Tygra stood. "That is
pretty risky, don't you think? What if they kill us Thundercats outright?
They won't, you know their m.o., in all likelihood they'll hold us awhile,
think of some horrible way to kill us, and make a show of power at the
same time." Lynxana looked at Lion-O. "You sure do know how to inspire
confidence in your plans, cub!" Lion-O grinned. "You see if we let
them think they are still in charge, I guarantee you they will take us
to the Emperor, who is probably in Caldos Palace, and if the Emperor is
there, then surely Ardua is. We won't be taken anywhere we don't
want to go in the first place. If we do so this way everyone's chances
of getting hurt are minimal. When people think they are in total
control of a situation they are in no hurry to take a quick course of action.
That will give us time to find Ardua and escape. " The others looked
at Lion-O. Tygra broke the silence. "It's a good idea, but if it backfires..."
Lion-O interrupted Tygra. "That's why we will keep the Third Earth Thundercats
in reserve, in case something does go wrong. We'll have them in the vicinity
of Plundarr waiting to go in if things go badly. At any rate we are
going to have do something and soon, or we will have and entire army to
contend with when we make our escape, I feel we should leave as soon as
possible, tomorrow." Lion-O looked at the others. "Well, what do you think?"
Tygra looked at the others. "We should put it to a vote with the others.
No," Said Lion-O. "the others should not be told, so that our little trick
will look authentic. The mutants aren't bright, but they will expect
at least a little fight out of us. Everyone's heart must be in the
battle, or else the Plundarians will suspect. The Emperor will want
us all alive, he won't kill us from the outset of our capture. I
propose that we allow some of our radio transmissions be detected.
Fighters will surely be scrambled, we will land, put up a small struggle,
then I will order surrender before it gets too serious. There would be
too many soldiers to successfully fight in all likelihood anyway." Lion-O
looked at his compatriots. "What do you all think? Are we agreed? Tygra?
Yes. Panthro? Yes. Lynxana? Sounds good to me, cub. You're learning." Lion-O
smiled. "How much time has past since I called the break Panthro? One hour
and twenty minutes. Good," said Lion-O. "i'm famished!" Everyone
laughed and went to the kitchen. The two hour break was over and
all of the Thundercats once again filed into the council chamber.
Lion-O stood and addressed all of the Thundercats. "I have thought about
all of the ideas that everyone has contributed. Wilykat? Yes, Lion-O? Yours
about a small extraction force was interesting. The Plundarians will be
expecting a large force to invade and take Ardua, correct?" Wilykat stepped
forward. "According to what Cheetara's information says that's what the
emperor is gearing up for, it seems. Well," said Lion-O. "We are going
to do the exact opposite. I propose we use your idea of a small force
of Thundercats go to Plundarr, and extricate Ardua. We can be in and out
before they know it. You Thundercats on Third Earth will be held
in reserve, near Plundarr to jump in and bail us out if something goes
wrong." Kelec stepped forward and jokingly said, "Like usual!" Everyone
laughed, and looked at Lion-O. "What do you all think? All in favor?"
Lion-O looked at the telescreen and saw all hands raised, he looked to
either side of him and saw everyone's hands raised. "Opposed?" Lion-O saw
no hands raised. "All right, Third Earth Thundercats you all board the
Jetcat and the Thunderbolt and launch as soon as you have the supplies
you need. Claud-Us? Yes, Lord Lion-O? You are to decide who stays and who
goes. Yes, sir." Lion-O turned to the other Thundercats to his side.
"We are leaving tomorrow afternoon. That will afford the other Thundercats
time to get to Plundarr. I will draw up duty rosters and have them posted
by eight o'clock tonight. Everyone is dismissed except for Kera."
The telescreens shut off and the room cleared, leaving Lion-O and Kera
alone. "Kera, I want you to go to the armory, I am going to get some extra
soldiers to help the Thundercats who are staying here, and guard the Lair.
I want you to inventory the weapons, and assign them to the soldiers as
they arrive. Yes, Lord Lion-O. Kera? Yes. I have decided you will go, your
expertise will be required." Kera saluted Lion-O and left to carry out
his orders. Lion-O sat and got a piece of paper and a something to
write with, he was making up his roster. Claud-us hailed the Tower of Omens.
"Wilykat, Terra, you two put two spare Thundrillium cores into the Thunderbolt,
throw off anything that is not vital to the mission that you can. I want
you both to be here in two hours, I am going to send Cena in the Qwikcat
for guard duty. Claud-Us out. Wilykat and Terra ran to the hangar,
and ransacked the small cargo bay of the Thunderbolt. "C'mon 'Kat help
me get this blooming stove out of here! Why is a stove in here anyway?"
Asked Wilykat as he groaned and strained with his wife as they pushed.
"Because you FORGOT to take it to Robear Ted's to have it repaired!" Wilykat
looked at his wife. "Oh." Terra laughed as the stove tipped and rolled
down the ramp, it made an abrasive, loud, screeching noise as it ground
the paint off of the ramp. "Oh, i'm glad Panthro isn't here! He'd skin
us alive!" Said Wilykat. "He'd skin you alive Wilykat, I didn't help
you unload this thing." Terra smiled wickedly at her mate. Wilykat looked
at her with a grin as she said, "That's my story, you're going to have
to come up with a butt saving lie of your own!" The two laughed and began
tossing dead weight items out of the ship in no particular order, letting
them fall where they may. Soon Cena had arrived for duty, Wilykat
and Terra were on their way to Cat's Lair. In Cat's Lair things were
just as hectic. "Kelec, come on get your swords!
Alright, Couga, alright i'm coming, i'm coming." Kelec put on his baldric
and cinched it then sheathed two short swords that once belonged to Grune
the Destroyer, his uncle. Couga followed behind and grabbed her daggers
and glaive, and slipped them into the holsters in her belt. Kelec looked
at his wife with a raised eyebrow. "I love a woman in leather, and armor.
Later Kelec!" The two warriors ran through the halls towards the hangar.
Claud-Us met the couple in the hallway, "Kelec there are some boxes in
the Jetcat that need to stay on board. The ship is ready, go ahead and
say goodbye to Zac and then board the Jetcat and program the navigation
computers. Alright." Claud-Us entered the chamber that once held
the Sword of Omens, he picked up his weapon given to him by Lion-O the
Great, a hand held crossbow. Claud-Us put the crossbow onto his belt, then
picked up two quivers of bolts, giving him one hundred to fire. Claud-Us
then took a short sword and it's respective scabbard and placed it in the
frog in his belt, as a finishing touch he put on a helmet he had found
at the old Thundercats crash site. It was a little too big for him, but
he liked it, he polished it when he found it, and it looked nice, he especially
liked it because it had a spike on top of it. Nica and Jaroc met
Claud-Us in the weapons room and they selected their weapons, for Nica,
a power mace, for Jaroc a large laser rifle, he giggled with glee as he
hefted it up and checked the charge on it. "I hope I get to blast a few
muties!" Claud-Us looked at Jaroc, then Nica, thinking that he was
a little too enthused with his weapon choice and that his zeal for the
mission was for the wrong reasons entirely. "Jaroc, you're having a little
too much fun, now!" Said Nica in a sing song way. Nica looked at Claud-Us shrugged
and said, "Just be glad he's on our side!" Nica smiled and she and Jaroc
ran towards the hangar at full speed, Claud-Us watched the two lithe ocelots
run wondering how the two of them wound up getting married to each other,
they were not alike in any respect, personality wise. Kelec and Couga walked into
the control room, to say good bye to Zac. "Mother, Father, please
be careful. We will, Zac, we will." Said Kelec. "Now, Zac, Cena is at the
Tower of Omens, keep one communications line open with her. Everything
will be alright," Said Claud-Us as he walked towards the embracing family.
"we have complete faith in you, and Cena." Kelec and Couga looked at Zac
lovingly. "We Have to go, son." Couga and Kelec put their arms around
Zac one last time, then ran to the Jetcat to follow Claud-Us' orders. Claud-Us,
looked at Zac. "Zac, hail Cat's Lair Third Earth, secured channel." As
Zac followed Claud-Us' order they heard the Thunderbolt roar near the Lair.
Cat's Lair New Thundera had been reached, "Father? Yes, Claud-Us? We are
going to blast off in fifteen minutes. Good, Son, Be careful. You be careful
too." The telescreen flashed off and Claud-Us ran to the hangar, Nica,
you ride in the Thunderbolt with Wilykat and Terra. The rest of you get
into the Jetcat, were going, now. Everybody, set all transmission scramblers,
when we hit the ionosphere, we will have to use the afterburners." Claud-Us
looked at everyone and said, "THUNDERCATS,HO!" and the others replied "HO!"
back. Couga switched on the engines of the Jetcat and they roared to life.
The Thunderbolt did the same. The two Thundercat vessels climbed into the
sky and soon blasted through the atmosphere of Third Earth with great power
and speed. Claud-Us set up a communication link between the Jetcat and
the Thunderbolt as soon as the ships were well underway to planet Plundarr.
"Wilykat? Yes Claud-us? What is our ETA as per the speed were traveling
now for Plundarr? One day and a half. Good! Once we get to Plundarr, we
will put ourselves in an oversized orbit around Plundarr, and await
word from Lord Lion-O, keep this frequency open for the duration of the
trip." Claud-Us leaned back hoping he had made the correct decisions,
no one would get hurt, and that Ardua was alright.