Chapter 14
Cheetara relayed the sad news to Bol and the Lockti just stood there trying to absorb everything he was just told.
"Out of the one hundred and fifty that survived the war, we twenty are all that remain. I have no idea how I'm going to tell the men." The cheetah translated for Lion-O.
"I understand if you want to return to your planet. We can…" The Lord of the ThunderCats didn't get to finish.
"Our ships were damaged and our navigational systems don't function properly, we couldn't go home if we wanted to. Qual would have wanted us to finish what we started. We will stay here and help you, then return to Third Earth and help there." Bol told them.
"We appreciate that but you don't need to help on Third Earth. We can have our other friends help there. I bet Panthro can help you fix your navigational systems once he gets the control room up and running." Lion-O said. Just as the words came out of his mouth, the three heard a whirring noise and the lights suddenly came on in the hallway. A crackle came over the nearby wall radio.
"This is WilyKat calling Lion-O. Come in Lion-O." The Lord of the ThunderCats walked over and pressed down the COM button.
"This is Lion-O. I guess you got the power back up." He smiled.
"Yup we did. Snarfer is heading up to the control room to help Panthro and Kit. Is there anything Lynx-O and I can do?" Kat asked.
"Just get up here and help Snarf with the wounded. They'll need a decent meal before they head back to the settlement." The lion told him.
"Gotcha, WilyKat out." The crackling stopped and the connection ended.
"I will need a few minutes with Cae and Sen." Bol said.
"Of course. I'll send them out to talk to you." Lion-O nodded and he and Cheetara went into the sick bay.
"Almost all the recruits are healed, Lion-O." Snarf said.
"Excellent. Do you think you could whip up one of your Third Earth famous stews?" The Lord of the ThunderCats wondered.
"Well if the meat didn't thaw too much and I'm sure I have some fresh Thundera potatoes in the cupboard. I'll need some help though." Snarf told him.
"That's what WilyKat is for. Speak of the devil." Lion-O smirked as Kat walked into the room. Snarf and the second half of the ThunderKittens took off for the kitchen as the lion went over to Cheetara.
"I told Cae and Sen to go out into the hall. I'm afraid the others suspect something but I didn't say anything." She said.
"Well Bol will have to handle that in the meantime I have to thank you for everything." Lion-O smiled.
"I'm just doing my job." The cheetah gave him a questioning look.
"Using your sixth sense like that has to be draining and I just want you to know how much I appreciate your self sacrifice." He said. Cheetara's face lit up as she smiled.
"Anything for you." She replied. Before Lion-O could say anything she walked away. Pondering what she meant, he caught himself staring at her round tush. Quickly he shook his head and began going around the room meeting all the wounded recruits and thanking them for their help.
Twenty minutes later, Panthro walked into the sick bay. He was smiling and obviously very proud of himself.
"The control room is up and running and I just received a message from Snarf that dinner is almost ready." The panther said. Lion-O walked up to him and shook his hand.
"Excellent news. After dinner do you think you could help the Lockti fix their navigational system?" The lion asked.
"It's broken? How did they find Third Earth then?" Panthro wondered.
"Apparently, the coordinates they had for the home planet were locked onto our coordinates. Something went screwy and every time the enter the right numbers, the ship goes to the wrong place." Lion-O explained.
"How are they taking the news?" The mechanic asked.
"So far it's been pretty silent. I'm going to try to contact Third Earth and see if they have any good news." The Lord of the ThunderCats told him. Both knew in the back of their minds that there wouldn't be any good news but they had to hope.
To Be Continued…