Chapter 25
"Quite the welcoming committee," Captain Baki said as he approached Lion-O. The rat looked at the Warrior Maidens and then back at the lion and Arzu, who stood next to him.
"Well you can never be too careful. I am King Lion-O, Lord of the ThunderCats. Welcome to Third Earth," the lion stuck his hand out and Baki took it with a firm grasp.
"Thank you. It's been awhile since our feet have touched real earth," Baki admitted.
"When was the last time you had something decent to eat?" Lion-O asked.
"We picked up fresh food on our last stop at a space station but that was weeks ago," the rat told them.
"Then dinner is in order. Willa, would you escort Baki's crew to the dining room and make sure they're all settled?" Lion-O looked to the Warrior Maiden Queen.
"We'll keep them company," she nodded.
"Thank you. Please let Snarf know we'll need a meal in the small conference room as well. I'd like you to join us, if you could," he said.
"I look forward to it," she nodded and ordered her soldiers to escort the crew inside.
"A formidable woman to be sure," Baki had a slight smile on his face.
"You will find Queen Willa and her Warrior Maidens to be some of the fiercest warriors in the galaxy. Their skill and determination are only matched by their compassion and loyalty. I trust them with my life," Lion-O told him.
"Loyal warriors are indeed a thing to treasure. I have a feeling that Captain Arzu knows that all too well," Baki admitted. The group turned to head into the Lair.
"Regrettably, I do. Lion-O is doing me the favor of keeping the mutinous bunch in his cells," Arzu explained.
"Justice will be done, one way or the other," Baki nodded.
"The Evil Chasers are on their way here. Mandora was not lying about that. They will be taken from here and sent to the Penal Planet," Lion-O explained as they entered the Lair. Moving down the hall, they walked into the small conference room. Lion-O quickly made introductions. Panthro, Cheetara, Lynx-O, Snowman, Slythe, Mandora, and Wizz-Ra had gathered in the room, leaving the others to man the kitchen and Med Bay.
"We're all set down in the dining room," Willa announced as she entered the room, meal in hand for Captain Baki. The Warrior Maiden Queen handed him the plate of mashed potatoes, venison, and beans with some silverware. Panthro had fired up the coffee maker and handed him a cup of coffee.
"Thank you," Lion-O smiled at her. She nodded and took seat next to Snowman.
"Well this looks fabulous. Certainly, better than my rations. Now I'm imagining you want to know how I got here and why I called this meeting," he said before taking a spoonful of potatoes.
"Certainly, surprised you ended up in our neck of the woods. When they banished you and your troops, I thought for sure you'd end up making a living on a space station," Slythe spoke up.
"Seems we haven't shaken the stigma of being Mutants. Do business with us, sure. Let us live on a station, no chance. We've been doing the best we can with what we have. Why I wanted to have this conversation not over the radio was because we're mounting a rebellion," Baki explained before taking another bite of food.
"A rebellion?" Arzu gave him a look.
"Those ships in the atmosphere have pledged their loyalty to me. I still have loyal troops on Plundarr. I intend to overthrow the High Council and I could use some Mutants like you," Baki said. He was definitely enjoying the food he'd been given and had manners, which surprised Lion-O.
"A noble goal to be sure but the High Council has eyes and ears everywhere. How can you be sure that they don't know you're coming? Or that someone hasn't spilled their guts?" Slythe asked.
"I don't know for sure but my man on the inside has been sending coded messages via our nearest space station. Only he and I know the code so even if they forced him to send a message, he could encode a warning," the rat explained.
"Seems fairly tight but you still seem outnumbered," Panthro spoke up.
"Well we are a little on the short side but once you announced that the Evil Chasers were coming, I wondered if that wasn't our answer," Baki told them.
"You want the Evil Chasers to help you overthrow the High Council?" Mandora gave him a look.
"I can't think of a better way to get what everyone wants – peace in the galaxy. It would end the wars with Plundarr's moons and the possible civil war that is already brewing. If the High Council is arrested on charges of crimes against Mutant Kind, then the Evil Chasers can take them away and a new form of government can be established. A peaceful transition, rather than war and death," he suggested.
"I'm not sure the Space Council will go for that. Perhaps it is best we wait until the battle cruiser arrives in about a day and a half and speak to the Captain," Mandora said.
"Fine by me. I will collect my crew and we'll head back into space. I don't want the Evil Chasers to think we're trying a take over here," Baki said. Lion-O looked at Slythe who gave him a slight nod. A private conversation was in order.
To Be Continued…