Chapter 12
"How are those booster engines holding up?" Panthro asked Cavan over the radio as they approached Third Earth. The boosters had effectively cut the trip time in half and they were only about an hour behind Pali and Mandora. An hour would still seem like an eternity considering they had no idea what was going on down on the planet's surface.
"Well. I think the trip back will have to be on regular fuel. We've blown through enough Thundrillium to power the ThunderTank for a week," the puma told him from down in the engine room.
"Sweet Jaga's toothbrush," Ben-Gali shook his head from the copilot seat next to Panthro.
"We'll definitely need to refuel before leaving. Let's keep that in mind. We can't come in too hot and land either. Cut the boosters in about twenty minutes, so we can slow our approach," the panther told her.
"Roger," Cavan responded.
"All ThunderGuard to battle stations. Keep your eyes peeled for enemy fighters," Panthro switched the radio to the bunk room and alerted the soldiers they brought with them. Some laser cannons had been installed on the Feliner after the last run in with the Lunatacs.
"Aye, aye Lord Panthro," came the response. Shortly after that, he could see on his control panel that the cannons had been activated.
"You think they'll be expecting us?" Ben-Gali asked.
"I have no idea but hopefully Pali and Mandora have been able to do something to help us out on the ground," the panther said.
"Why Third Earth? I don't see what they gain by going after them instead of us," the tiger frowned.
"I don't either. Perhaps it's only a move because they figure that with less ThunderCats protecting it, it would be a softer target. With us busy fixing our controls and not in contact with anyone, they figure it'd be even easier," Panthro shrugged. Before Ben-Gali could answer a voice came over the radio.
"Lord Panthro, this is Captain Kelley of Evil Chaser Battle Cruiser two-nine-five-one. We are approaching your six o'clock," the voice said.
"Excellent news, you guys have booster engines or something?" The panther couldn't believe their luck as he double checked the radar screen and confirmed the ships' location and outline.
"We're the fastest and newest ship in the fleet and we were more than ready to test out her engines. We're readying the pods for landing on the planet but you know the terrain better than we do. Suggestions for landing?" Kelley asked.
"If they hug tight to the Feliner we can attack any Catapult fire and laser cannon fire with our own weapons. Hopefully minimize damage to the Lair," Panthro explained.
"Roger. Over and out," the call ended and Panthro quickly passed along the info to the others on the ship. He just hoped it would be in time to help those on the planet's surface.
What no one could have known was that Mandora and Pali had locked themselves into the Control Room of the Lair. They only made it that far before the pirates were on their tails. Once inside the Control Room, they disabled the door controls and took out the two pirates that had been left in there with their blasters.
"How long do you think the door will hold?" Mandora hissed as Pali wrapped the laser blaster burn on her upper arm. She'd been grazed by a shot but that had been the worst of it. Although should the pirates, who were now pounding on the door, get through there would be much worse to deal with.
"We better pile stuff in front of the door. No way to know how much longer it will be until help arrives," he told her.
"You do that and I'll try to reach out to any Evil Chasers in the area via the radio," she suggested.
"Sounds like a plan," Pali nodded as he grabbed the nearest piece of equipment and pushed it towards the door. Mandora went to the radio but before she could do anything, the proximity alarm went off.
"Back up has arrived!" She announced to Pali before quickly getting on the radio to contact the Feliner and give them an idea of what they were facing.
To Be Continued…
