Consequences
It wasn't long before the gummi successfully returned to Cape Suzette. By this time, military authorities were on the scene, helping with the clean up and assistance of the victims. There was quiet lingering amongst the people. It was no time for celebration. Though their city was spared a terrible fate from pirates and dolls, the damage was done. Still, the ending was bitter sweet. Barely a person was injured and there were no civilian fatalities. Military casualties were still in question.
The Kingdom gummi descended upon the docks of Higher for Hire. There, Baloo and the others were assembled, making repairs to the plane. Wildcat hammered away at the shot engine. He turned to see the gummi landing at the dock.
"Hey, everyone," he cried. "He's back!" The others turned in utter amazement.
"Well, I'll be." Baloo said. "Look who made it."
As the gummi came to a halt, the hatch opened and out emerged Cunla. He came before the group.
"Cunla," Kit shouted, "You're back!"
"So I am…" Cunla replied.
"We thought you for a goner." Baloo chuckled.
"It takes a lot more to finish me off."-
"We owe you a great debt of gratitude, young man." Rebecca said.
"It was my duty."-
Just then, Max and the three Duck brothers emerged from gummi. They stood not too far behind Cunla.
"Who are they?" Rebecca asked.
"Oh them…?" Cunla remarked. "They were the ones who rescued me."
"Really…?"-
"Where did they come from?" Kit asked. "What are their names?"
"To tell you the truth, I don't really know." Cunla replied. "We just met today."
"I am Huey Duck." Huey replied. "These are my two brothers, Dewey and Louie. And our taller friend is Maximilian Goof, or Max for short. Where we come from is confidential for military matters."
"I see…" Kit said. "Well, it's a good thing you came to help out Cunla when you did."
"Yeah," Baloo added, "We wouldn't want one heck of a warrior to be kicking the bucket."
"We are eternally grateful to you, Cunla." Rebecca said, "That and the rest of the city."
"It was nothing, really." Cunla replied sheepishly. "It was just part of the job."
"Awe, c'mon, kid." Baloo chuckled. "You're being too modest."
Their joys were cut short, however, as a black Rolls-Royse appeared near Higher for Higher. On its side was the symbol of Khan Industries. From the front seat emerged Khan's faithful little clerk, who opened the rear door. He swept the base near the door and stood at attention. From the back seat emerged the large and intimidating figure of Shere Khan.
"Holy mackerel…" Baloo uttered. "It's Khan…"
"Shere Khan…" Kit added.
"Mr. Khan," Rebecca said, "What brings you to our humble company?"
"I knew that Cunla was somehow affiliated with Baloo." Shere Khan replied. "I just came to thank him personally."
"Me…?" Cunla asked.
"Because of you, our fair city was spared, which in turn prevented our profits from plummeting."-
"I didn't do it alone, sir. You should really thank Baloo, Kit, and their other friends. They were the ones who really defended the city."-
"Well, we didn't do much." Baloo replied.
"He's just being modest."-
"Well, if there is any way I can compensate you for your troubles…?" Khan said.
"Whatever you wish to repay me with, give your offer to Baloo and Ms. Cunningham."-
"Very well then…"-
"And what of my compensation?!" a voice shouted. The party looked up to see a low passing plane fly over them. It was a pirate plane. From its cockpit jumped the venerable Don Karnage. "I did my part trying to save Cape Suzette, a city that I tried so hard to sack!"
"You…?!" Rebecca uttered in shock. "You were part of this too?!"
"But you were the one who attacked Cape Suzette in the first place!" Kit added.
"I know! Isn't that terrible, a pirate as ruthless and merciless as my wonderful self doing something nice!"-
"Well, I gotta hand it to you, Karnage." Cunla said, "If it wasn't for you guys, I would have been dead a long time ago." Cunla outstretched his hand. "Thanks…" Karnage hesitated for a moment and smirked. He grasped Cunla's hand and the two shook. They released soon after.
"Don't think that this show of good will changes anything between us." Karnage declared. "You and I still have a battle to finish."
"It'll have to come at a later time."-
"And I take it that our deal still stands!" Karnage shouted to Shere Khan. The party looked to Khan.
"I am a man of my word, Mr. Karnage." Shere Khan replied. "Consider the bargain fulfilled."
"What bargain was that, Khan?" Baloo asked.
"You will find out sometime in the near future, Baloo. And don't think that your own efforts will go unrewarded. You will be properly compensated"-
"Well, thanks Khan…" Shere Khan turned back to his car.
"Good day ladies and gentlemen." He stepped back into his Rolls-Royce and drove off.
"In the meantime, I will return." Cunla said.
"Where are you going?" Kit asked.
"I need to get that other power cell. It's still in Wildcat's generator."-
"Don't worry about it." Wildcat said. "I'll get it for ya…"
"Thanks…" Wildcat scurried off to get the energy cell.
All the while, Louie was having second opinions about Cunla. He, his brothers, and Max perceived Cunla to be an arrogant, egotistical, unfeeling little brat who would show no gratitude. No doubt these earlier perceptions were concocted by his former reputation as an Imperial soldier. But it was quite clear that such an individual could never act in such a well spoken manner, even if they were faking it. Only a person in their right state of mind could see such deception. It was by Cunla's actions and interactions that caused Louie to rethink he earlier biases.
"Huey," he uttered.
"What is it?" Huey asked.
"Is this really the kid we were looking for? He seems too modest."-
"What do you mean?"-
"I mean look at the way he was interacting with these people. They don't seem close minded towards him. Maybe's he's not as bad as we thought?"-
"How would you know that? I bet it's all just an act to give everyone a good first impression."-
"I agree," Dewey interjected. "Cunla might just be sweet-talking."
"He wants to stay on our good side." Max said. "That's the reason for all the modesty. We don't know what his real personality is like."
"Either that," Louie thought to himself, "Or our views of him are outdated and inaccurate."
Wildcat wasn't gone long. He came back with the energy cell and gave it to Cunla.
"Here ya go." Wildcat said.
"Thanks Wildcat." Cunla replied. "Well, I think we better get going."He turned to four royal guards. "Are you guys ready?"
"We're waiting for you." Huey said. The four hastened back into the gummi.
"We're on our way then."-
"Cunla…?" Kit said. "Thanks again for everything."-
"You just make sure to stay out of trouble."-
"I will…"-
"Good-bye, young man." Rebecca Cunningham said.
"Adios, kid." Baloo added. Cunla gave one last glance before returning to the gummi cockpit. The rockets rumbled and the ship lifted off from the dock and sped out into the distance.
Though Cunla's ordeal was finished in Cape Suzette for the time being, Shere Khan's own plans were coming into effect. There came a ring in the portable phone located in the back seat of his Rolls-Royce.
"Khan here," he said.
"Mr. Khan," It was one of his leading excavators, "We've accomplished what you assigned us to do. We're retrieved some of those fighting machines that were still well intact and that one ship left on the runway."
"Excellent… Have my researchers start the diagnostics on their designs. I expect a full report within the week. That'll be all for now."-
"Yes sir." The call ended and Khan placed the phone onto its receiver, a smirk across his face.
"The new dawn for Khan Industries has begun…"-
All the while, Cunla and the others set their coordinates for their next destination. However, Huey, Dewey, Louie, and Max had only one thing on their minds, an immediate return to the Disney Kingdom. They made it all too clear where they stood.
"Set coordinates," Max declared.
"Setting coordinates," Huey added. "Set coordinates to sector 34S639." Cunla immediately recognized the number.
"34S639…?" he asked. "But that's going straight for the Disney Kingdom."
"That's right." Dewey said. "You got a problem?"
"You do realize that is the new capital to the former Midnight Faction, right?"-
"We're aware,"-
"It also happens to be our home." Huey implied.
"But Imperial occupation is too strong." Cunla said.
"We'll manage." Max remarked. "The only thing that worries me right now is if the Imperials go on the offensive against the rest of our comrades and we won't be there to stop them."
"But we can't just charge in directly and hope to oppose the entire Imperial stronghold."-
"Why not," Huey asked. "From what I understand, you have extraordinary combat abilities. You could use that to extinguish the entire Imperial garrison."
"I can't do that."-
"Why not…? You're supposed to be the best, right? Or was all that just a lie?"-
"Certainly I excel in combat, but I'm not so egotistical as to recklessly charge in. From what I understand, Lord Sirius Viicous keeps the kingdom well supplied with fresh supplies and manpower from outside sources."-
"But after that fight at Long Valley, the Imperials should be weakened. Therefore, their income of resources would be depleted and it'll be easier for us to take over."-
"Just because the Imperials lost a great deal of resources in that campaign doesn't mean that they aren't deprived of manpower and resources in the areas surrounding the kingdom."-
"Are you serious?" Louie asked.
"I know the Imperials better than anyone." Cunla stated. "They're quick to react and adapt to certain situations. That's the reason why they've managed to hold on to their power for the past six years after the fall of the Cavendish Era. If we go back to the Disney Kingdom now, you'd only be stuck in the same situation as before, even with me around to help you. And even if by some miracle we did manage to overthrow the Imperials in the Disney Kingdom, it would only be a matter of time before they sent in another wave to recapture and reoccupy your home again. As a result, all of your effort would be in vain. Plus the severe loss of manpower and resources on your side would add as a significant deterrent to putting up further resistance."-
"That's all just conjecture…" Huey said.
"Believe what you want, but what I say is true." Cunla gripped his hands into fists. "After what you earlier stated, I know why you hold a lot of aggression and scorn, especially towards me, since I was the objective of your mission. I know what it means to see your home on the verge of collapse, to see it overrun by undesirables. You want to return home and defend it to your last breaths. But determination and will power alone are not absolute factors to guarantee victory. Like me, you are mortal and are capable of bleeding, tiring, and dying. No matter how much cold water you put into a boiling pot, that water will heat up and eventually boil as well. The only way to stop that pot from boiling is to deprive it of its heat source."-
"What are you trying to say?" Louie asked.
"If you want to reduce Imperial activity, you have to strike them in the areas that provide them with the goods needed to sustain their occupation."-
"Okay," Max said, "So we have to strike them in those areas. Which area did you intend on striking first?"
"The Imperials are right now trying to track down a legendary city of gold, which was constructed by Indians somewhere on the North American continent. If they get their hands on that wealth, the Imperial Axis will have enough funds to initiate a new war economy. They'll be able to pay for more resources and man power in exchange for the riches."-
"And where is this lost city?"-
"I don't know exactly where." Cunla said. "But I know the Imperials are looking for it at these coordinates." Cunla gave the data. "Sector 24B652…"
"Alright then," Max said. "We'll go through with these tasks. Let's just get through with them, so we can get back to defending the kingdom."
"How about this…?" Cunla remained calm in his tone. "Since you have been assigned to help me, then you will assist me in every objective I see fit. But I'm not a person to keep people away from their homes. So here's the deal. If you help me in three different assignments, and find that we are not making any progress, then you can return home. I won't object or hold any grudges if you decide to leave. The only thing you have to do is stay with me and assist in three different operations."
"If we help you in three separate operations, we're free to go?' Huey asked.
"You said that you wanted to get back home as soon as you could and help your other comrades. Well, the sooner we get these three operations finished, the sooner you can return to the Disney Kingdom."-
"You got yourself a deal, Cunla." Dewey replied. "It's three missions then we're out."
"That's correct, but only if you find them unsatisfactory to the larger picture."-
"Well, what are we waiting for?! Let's go find this lost city of gold!"-
"Punch in the coordinates." Huey advised. The sector code was incorporated into the gummi data base as a next destination and the ship quickly sped off to the place where the supposed lost city of gold was held.
As things seemed to lessen the tension with the Cunla and the four members of the Mickey Faction, other events only raised the tension amongst the Imperials. Brigadier General Crixus Archadius was by no means enthralled with the outcome of Cape Suzette. Before him, both Colonel Valjean Von Kreist and Colonel Artori Ajax stood at attention.
"My reputation suffers because of your incompetence!" he shouted. "You had him in your grasps, Colonel Von Kreist! You had Cunla in your hands and yet you let him slip right through your fingers!"
"I can explain, sir." Von Kreist replied.
"There is nothing for you to explain to me! Your blunder of our mission is already done and there is nothing that can change it! The only thing we can do is follow in pursuit of Cunla and eliminate him before he causes further damage as he did here?! What in God's name possessed you to change my orders?! What were your hopes in trying to bring that boy in alive?! Did you expect him to come back to us, apologize and bow respectfully hoping that we would take him back in?! His Excellency, Lord Sirius Viicous has declared that Cunla is a traitor to our organization and nothing more! Ergo, he has to be killed no matter what the circumstance! I don't care how talented he is! All I know is that his talent in combat is all more the reason why we should be concerned about killing him!"-
"I do apologize, sir. It did seem rather a waste to kill him."-
"Well, you certainly wasted your time!" Archadius glanced at Ajax, who had a slight smirk on his face, as if to mock his colleague. "You are not exempt from this, Colonel Ajax! So I hardly doubt you are in any position to be snickering at Von Kreist's escapade!"
"Yes sir…" Ajax replied.
"As far as I'm concerned, you messed up more than Von Kreist! All he had to do was kill Cunla. He failed, but that was his only mission! You on the other hand had a very important duty to assure that Khan Industries would guarantee us annual revenue! We were expectant of that profit in exchange for our superior technology! Instead, however, you made things all go to hell by botching up your attempts to entice that tiger!"-
"It was not my fault, sir. Cunla was the one who…"-
"You are missing the point! You had jurisdiction over the affairs in Cape Suzette! Therefore, Cunla was also one of your main concerns! Yet you did nothing to stop him! Instead, you decided to wait for Von Kreist to show up! By that time, it was already too late!"-
"In my defense, sir, I had no available manpower skilled enough to deal with a brat like Cunla. Besides, Lord Sirius Viicous was quite clear when he assigned this mission to me, to remain as inconspicuous as I possibly could. I abided by his orders to the letter."-
"Try explaining your argument after you inform him of your failure! He's the one you should be complaining to!" Archadius turned around. "I am done with you, Ajax. Remove yourself from my ship immediately."
"Sir…" Ajax withdrew without further utterances.
"It's inept officers, like you, that are causing severe downward spirals for the new regime! You better shape up and execute your duties properly as a skilled Imperial officer should!"-
"Sir…" Ajax tried to remain calm and formal as he saluted and withdrew back to his own carrier. But one could tell from his tightened fist and sudden turn away from the general that he was enraged.
"This is why we lost the Oceansburg campaign." Archadius growled. "It's unfit officers that have depleted our progress."
"You must understand there were reasons for us failing, sir." Von Kreist said.
"I don't care about the reasons! I only care on the outcome! If you find yourself unfit to command, then I would gladly replace you with another more competent officer who has the skills to kill Cunla!"-
"With all due respect, sir…"-
"No more of your objections, Von Kreist! I want to see results! You do whatever necessary to see that you succeed! I don't care what methods you use, I expect you to kill Cunla!"-
"Understood, sir…"-
"Now leave me in peace! I am not in a giving vein! Your excuses are starting to wear heavily on my own meditations!"-
"Yes sir…" the colonel saluted and withdrew, leaving the enraged Archadius to his solitude.
The quarreling amongst the higher officers was no doubt a strenuous scene to behold with shouting voices and intimidating stares. But the argument that ensued between the subordinates was another matter. After his attempt to capture Cunla alive, Dalius Sorbet was put under pressure by his fellows Sergeant Carson Defoe and Lieutenant Crispus Custis. The argument came somewhat physical. In their bunking area, a small fight ensued. Defoe, angered by the act of his superior and the failure to apprehend Cunla, threw Dalius Sorbet against the wall.
"What the hell were you thinking, you bastard!" he shouted, holding Sorbet by the front of his black shell jacket. "I had him! I had that upstart, little prick in my sights! He could have been dead by now if it weren't for you!"
"What kind of stupid maneuver was that, Sorbet?" Custis added. "We could've been over and done with this mission."
"I was following the orders of Colonel Von Kreist." Sorbet replied.
"Do you really think Cunla was going to go quietly?!" Defoe bellowed. "You knew he was going to put up some resistance, but you decided to act stupid about it!"
"That was really disappointing on your part." Custis added.
"Break it up, you three!" Captain Allgota shouted as he entered the room.
"This is no concern of yours, captain." Defoe said.
"It is my concern, sergeant! You are a soldier of the Imperial Axis! What gave you the right to assault your superior officer?!"-
"I was giving Captain Sorbet a little lecture on adequacy on the battlefield."-
"Perhaps you would like me to lecture on what types of punishment low ranking officers receive when they attack a superior officer." Defoe knew the consequences as did Custis. Heeding Allgota's words, Defoe released Sorbet. "Now, you and the lieutenant leave these quarters. I need to have a talk with Captain Sorbet."
"Sir…" Lieutenant Custis replied. He turned to the sergeant. "Let's withdraw for now."
"Alright, alright," Defoe replied. He released Sorbet and the two departed, leaving the two captains alone in the bunk.
"Thanks, Captain Allgota." Sorbet said, but Allgota still had a stern look.
"Don't forget I'm just as upset with you as the others." Allgota replied. "I can't believe that you acted the way you did when we had Cunla in our grasp."
"I know…"-
"It's not like you to act this way, Sorbet. Usually, you slash and cut without a second thought of who you have to kill. Why this time?"-
"I don't know…"-
"Do you have a thing about not killing kids?"-
"It's not that. It's just…" Sorbet did not want to reveal his secret to anyone, even to a friend as close as Allgota. Dalius sat on his bed. Allgota sat next to him.
"Maybe you're just overworked, that's all." Allgota advised. "We have been doing some pretty rough assignments."
"Maybe…"-
"Listen, Sorbet, I'm your friend. We've been together since we were assigned our first missions together. If there's anything I should know, just tell me. Don't be afraid."-
"There's nothing to tell, Allgota. I just wasn't thinking straight. Maybe it was how Sergeant Defoe just butted in when I wasn't finished trying to talk to Cunla. I guess I just got a little temperamental."-
"Yeah, ninety-five percent temperament, five percent mental…" Allgota gave a smile. Sorbet returned the gesture.
"Thanks for understanding…" Allgota patted his friend on the back and withdrew.
"I'll leave you to your thinking."-
"Thanks…" Allgota closed the door behind him, giving the youth some time to make his mind wander. Sorbet did wander within the caverns of his mind, preferably on Cunla. Though he and Cunla were far apart, on opposing sides, Sorbet felt closer than ever to the Son of Cuchulain. He laid his head down and turned towards the wall, pondering on whether or not he could ever meet with Cunla again without having to engage in battle.
All the while, Von Kreist lay back in his chair back in his quarters, wondering where Cunla was at that present moment.
"This assignment is becoming more precarious as we progress." He thought to himself. "I wonder where you are now, Son of Cuchulain." The answer didn't take long to reach him. The intercom in his quarters sounded a message alarm. Von Kreist activated the transmitter. "This is Colonel Von Kreist…"
"I hope you are ready to move out, colonel!" It was Brigadier General Archadius. "We know where Cunla is heading next."
"Where to…?"-
"From what our scouts have reported, Cunla is heading towards coordinates 24B652. He may try and halt our progression to find that lost city of gold. Prepare your men and machines! We are heading out!"
"Understood, sir…"-
"And colonel, I'm expecting you to kill the boy this time."-
"Sir…" The transmission ended and Von Kreist only sighed. "Sorbet better get used to trying to kill his friend. There will be no quarter for Cunla this time around."