Chapter 4
Tyler sat in the control room watching the monitors. He'd pulled the short straw a few days ago when he and Leo were fighting over who had to work the night shift. Needless to say, the pumiger didn't like night shift as it encompassed the time from which the sun descended over the horizon until it crested again over the distant mountains. In summer this shifts were blissfully short lasting eight hours but in the winter they could be anywhere from twelve to fourteen hours long. Granted during the winter, someone could sleep through most of their shift without missing anything but to get caught doing so wasn't good. At this point in the year, he was looking at about a ten hour shift as the leaves on the trees turned red, gold, and brown.
His thoughts shifted from how long his shift was going to be to happier thoughts about his mating to Sahara. It was only one week away and everyone in the Lair was practically tripping over Snarf as he had taken control of the whole event. Most of the ceremony was to be broadcast live all over New Thundera and Third Earth. No pressure, he smirked to himself.
The control room doors opened and the pumiger looked to the doorway. In strode one of his favorite companions, Ma-Mutt.
"Ma-Mutt! Come to hang out?" He asked.
"Bark!" The ever-living dog wagged his tail and jumped up into the seat next to Tyler. The pumiger petted the top of the dog's head and they turned to the monitors. So far a scan of every sector had turned up empty and things were quiet.
"I think we'll be pretty bored tonight buddy. Did you bring your ball?" Tyler wondered. Ma-Mutt shook his head.
"Oh well then we'll make do." He chuckled and his focus returned to the monitors. A few minutes later, Ma-Mutt suddenly growled.
"What is it boy? The monitors show nothing." Tyler asked. The dog continued to growl and he leapt from his seat. Now the pumiger was curious and he reached for the phone to call Sahara. She was his backup tonight and he hoped she'd have some insight into what had gotten her pet into a mood. However he never got to pick up the calling instrument as the control room doors opened and there in front of him was himself.
"What the…?" the real Tyler started. Before he could do much else, Ma-Mutt leapt forward and made a move to clamp his teeth on the intruder. However the intruder deflected the dog with a blast of red energy, sending him flying back across the room and slamming into the equipment. Ma-Mutt was down and Tyler reached for the alert button.
"I don't think so." The look-alike smirked as he blasted a bolt of energy at the pumiger. The shot was a direct hit and Tyler slumped to the ground.
"That was almost too easy." Mumm-Ra said as he pulled the boom tube from his belt. One good zap and the real Tyler would be on a one-way trip to the fiery pit below. While he fiddled with the controls, still getting used to using his new hands, Tyler slowly opened his eyes. He saw his attacker was preoccupied and slammed his fist down onto the alert button.
"You bastard!" Mumm-Ra bellowed and quickly trained the boom tube on Tyler. The cone shaped beam directed at him swallowed up the pumiger and he disappeared. Next Mumm-Ra set the beam on Ma-Mutt and the dog disappeared as well. Quickly he went about looking at the keyboard trying to figure out how to shut the blaring alarm sound off. He wasn't fast enough as Sahara entered the room.
"What's going on?" She asked.
"I tried to kill a fly and accidentally turned on the alarm. Can you help me shut it off?" He asked, hoping his ruse would work.
"Sure, no problem." The litah smiled and the two quickly shut if off. Sahara announced it was a false alarm and everyone who had been on their way returned to their beds.
"Boy do I feel stupid." The fake Tyler said.
"Accidents happen." Sahara continued to smile.
"Thanks for the help. Guess I'd better get back to the screens." Mumm-Ra told her.
"No problem. Have you seen Ma-Mutt? He took off a little while ago and I assumed it was for a potty break but he hasn't come back." She said.
"I haven't seen him but if I do, I'll let him know you were looking for him." He promised.
"Thanks." Sahara gave him a peck on the cheek and turned and left the room. He watched her go and then smirked. If she couldn't tell he wasn't the genuine article then no one else would. The two troublemakers that could say otherwise were gone. Now onto part two of the plan.
To Be Continued…
