Chapter 37
"What are you thinking?" Tygra asked Sahara as she looked up suddenly from her work. She and Ben-Gali had been put in charge of helping the orange tiger with those that could be helped while some of the Mutants loaded the ones long passed into body bags.
"There is something large coming this way." She said.
"How can you tell?" Ben-Gali inquired.
"The vibrations in the ground. You'll feel them soon too." The litah explained.
"Good, bad, or ugly?" Corporal Basheer asked as he went for his holstered weapon.
"A combination of the first two, I think." She replied.
"Men! At the ready!" Basheer commanded. Quickly those that could walk or hold a weapon were on their feet along with those who had been left behind to help. Out of the darkness from beyond the still smoldering hulk of the fortress, there came a familiar noise, a cat's growl. The Cat Signal shot across the sky.
"Come on!" Sahara shouted. With a battle cry, the able followed her as they ran toward the location where they were needed.
As they approached the moving Signal, they soon realized that their comrades were being chased by something. Whatever it was, it made loud screeching sounds.
"Help my father! Get everyone out of my way!" Sahara yelled. Quickly the troops helped to herd the two kuaka and the men running from their pigmy attackers. Sure they were out of the way, Sahara put all her concentration on the pygmies headed towards her. Closing her eyes, she extended her arms and put her hands out in front of her as if to brace for impact. Chanting in the ancient language, she then opened her eyes which revealed themselves to be glowing a bright blue.
"BEGONE!" A blast of energy shot forth from her hands and in an instant, the pigmies were disintegrated. Those that remained ran for the safety of the trees. Sahara collapsed and was quickly scooped up by Corporal Basheer who had stayed behind to help if he was needed. The reptile raced back toward the light and the safety of the makeshift camp.
"What happened?" Tyler asked as he rushed to Basheer who placed Sahara gently on the ground.
"She collapsed after blasting the pigmies. I brought her back." The Corporal said.
"I believe I owe both your father and you a debt of gratitude." Lion-O smiled slightly as he came over to his daughter.
"I was just doing what any soldier would do. You never leave a comrade behind." Basheer smiled.
"She'll be fine. Just let her rest. She used her powers a lot today. I'm surprised she had that much juice left in her." Tygra said.
"I'll stay with her." Tyler offered.
"Go right ahead. It seems I don't have as much work as I'd thought I would." The orange tiger told them.
"How many did we lose?" Basheer asked.
"Luckily, Mongul and his men are in relatively good shape. I take it whoever was left behind though wasn't going to make it." Tygra said.
"Mongul said the pigmies ate the wounded first. He went in with thirty men and came back with twenty. I'm afraid the ten we lost were gone before we got there." Panthro shook his head.
"And the ones they chased?" Ben-Gali wondered.
"All dead. If Mongul didn't get them, then the pigmies did." Lion-O filled in.
"Well most of who is left can be flown back by dawn. I suggest you radio the General to get some help with that. Those who didn't make it will need a ride as well." Tygra explained.
"I'll get right on it." Panthro nodded before leaving the group. Mongul approached them and saluted Lion-O.
"I need to speak with you my King."
"No need to salute, Mongul. You have certainly earned the right to be called my brother." Lion-O smiled as the group quickly dispersed.
"Thank you sir. It has been an honor serving you and the people of New Thundera. I must ask of you a favor. My men and I have been discussing this for a while and with the planet now controlled by General Bartov, we feel it is safe to leave Plundarr. We wish to remain on New Thundera and bring our families to our new home. Tonight has shown us that we are among friends who would not abandon us in our time of need, for that we all thank you." The Monkian said.
"Upon returning to the base in the capital, we will devise a plan to get you and your families to New Thundera. You honor us with your loyalty and your sacrifice. The least we can do is make you all official citizens." The Lord of the ThunderCats extended his hand and the two shook on it.
"Thank you sir. I'll give the men the news. If you'll permit me, I would like to approach the families of those we lost today and give them the same offer." Mongul told him.
"By all means. If they wish to join us they can. They would be around those who remember their fathers, sons, and brothers, and that is very important. Now get some sleep. We have a long morning ahead of us." Lion-O smiled.
To Be Continued…