Chapter 18

"So, the mutiny," Lion-O started as they began to enjoy the meal that Snarf had prepared.

"Yes, the mutiny. I'm afraid that comes with some bad news," Arzu heaved a sigh.

"What kind of bad news?" Slythe asked.

"Yes, well the reason for the mutiny was simple really. A message was sent via secure channel to our ship. The Mutant High Council put a price on your head, my friend. They said if we brought you back, dead or alive, we would be granted a pardon and able to return to Plundarr, free and clear," she explained.

"I expected some blow back considering what I did but I never expected that," Slythe was surprised.

"Seems like a lot of trouble for you doesn't it? No offense," Arzu said.

"It certainly does. I made my enemies, but I didn't sic the Evil Chasers on the High Council or anything," he shook his head.

"Well I knew what it was when I read it – a trap. If we somehow managed to survive the attempt to get you off Third Earth, then we'd just end up dead, when we delivered you. We would have served our purpose. What I couldn't figure out is who or why they'd want you that badly. I figured it must have something to do with what you'd been doing since my exile," she explained.

"Under orders from the High Council, we were sent to retrieve the Eye of Thundera. Told not to come back until we had it. That's what we were doing," it was clear that he was confused.

"Yes, well I suspect that there are bigger things at play here. Part of my crew mutinied because a second letter was sent just to the lowest ranking member of my team. He was promised money and a position in a Councilman's office, if more of the crew joined, then they too would be given incentives. My guess is that they figured out I wasn't actually dead and figured the crew would do their dirty work," Arzu shook her head.

"So they want you and me dead," Slythe frowned.

"Good thing that you're here then," Lion-O said.

"I don't think so. Makes you all a target. If they were willing to send messages out to my crew then they would be sending messages all across the galaxy to all those who are in the same position as we were," she told them.

"You really think so?" Cheetara wondered.

"I wouldn't put anything past them," the Mutant said.

"I'll get on the horn to headquarters. We may have a shit storm headed our way. Plus, we have more Mutants to take care of," Mandora quickly excused herself and headed for the Control Room.

"You know for an Evil Chaser, she's not too bad," Arzu smirked.

"She's a keeper," Slythe winked.

"Slythe, what could you possibly know that the Mutant High Council would be this aggressive? I mean especially now. You've been here awhile," Lion-O frowned.

"Well since none of my former associates were sent back home to Plundarr, I'm not sure what they're looking for. Even if they had been sent home, I was regularly reporting back home to tell them of our progress. There are no secrets," the Mutant shook his head.

"Maybe we're not looking at this broadly enough," Panthro spoke up.

"I think we may need some help from a wizard," Cheetara said.

"Has Wizz-Ra finished building his pyramid? Lea wondered.

"I don't know but I'll see if I can bring him here," the cheetah told them.

"What would the wizard do?" Slythe gave her a look.

"We need to interrogate the prisoners. They must know more than they're saying. If they got one secret message…" Cheetara started.

"They might have gotten more. I'll kill them myself," Arzu was not happy.

To Be Continued…