Chapter 32

"So, the Evil Chasers are letting me have first crack at you," Slythe said to Colonel Rattigan. The rat was chained to the table in the interrogation room in the bowels of the Lair and the lizard sat across from him. Lion-O was on the other side of the one-way glass. The lion was glad that he'd sent Ma-Mutt and Snowmeow out to help Panthro. They needed everyone to catch the war criminal and both Ma-Mutt and Snowmeow had wanted to help.

"You need a babysitter to question me boy?" Rattigan challenged, jerking his head at Lieutenant Balthazar, who sat in a chair at the head of the table near Slythe and the prisoner.

"I'm here for your protection, not his," Balthazar spoke up, a smirk on his face.

"You got that rage back? Stop being a pansy?" Again, the rat was trying to push Slythe's buttons. The lizard tried to make it look like he wasn't affected by the words.

"The only pansy I see is you. You left your crew to fry. Only four of them got out of the ship. The others all burned," Slythe challenged.

"They happily died for Plundarr, something you couldn't do," Rattigan gave him a look.

"No, my family was murdered for Plundarr instead," the lizard pounded his fist on the table.

"The family you were cheating on? You think we don't know what's going on with each soldier? We knew you were shacking up with Beste. We did your wife a favor," the rat smirked. Balthazar was about to step in, knowing that Slythe would probably not be able to handle that comment.

"And my son? Did you do him a favor? He was seven!" The lizard was on his feet and about two inches from Rattigan's face. It was then that Balthazar knew he couldn't stop Slythe if he tried. Besides prisoners tripped and fell all the time.

"You knew the penalty for adultery and yet you did it anyway. I had your family removed from the equation because I needed you focused. They die and you don't get punished," Rattigan's crazy response almost caused Lion-O to lose his cool from the other side of the glass.

"Beste and I weren't together! We were just friends! We talked that was it! You didn't do your homework and you killed my family!" Now Slythe had Rattigan by the shirt, pulling him over the table and out of his seat. Lion-O came into the room at that moment and put his hand on Slythe's shoulder. Three Evil Chasers followed the lion into the room to quell anything that might have been going on.

"We got what we needed. Let him go," the lion said.

"You can't let the Evil Chasers take him," Slythe said, not moving an inch.

"I can and I will. He is theirs to punish," Lion-O told him. Slythe let go of the Colonel but did not move away from him. There was nothing behind the rat's eyes – just a cold, emotionless, black look.

"I'll make sure he gets what is coming to him. Trust me, he's not getting away with anything," Balthazar promised as he stood from his seat. Slythe turned his head to look at the Evil Chaser.

"He better pay for it all," it was a warning and somehow Balthazar wasn't sure that it was also a threat.

"War criminals don't get to ride off into the sunset," the Lieutenant reassured him. He then indicated for the officers to remove the prisoner. Only once Rattigan was out of the room did Slythe collapse back into his chair.

"Do I want to know what the punishment is for adultery?" Lion-O asked.

"The punishment isn't nearly as bad as the stink that follows you. Basically, besides being publicly shamed and whipped, you'd never be promoted; you'd never get a raise. You'd never get decent assignments. Your career would be over, and your spouse would be able to get a divorce, a rare thing for a Mutant. In fact, the spouse would get special attention and be taken care of, while the cheater would become a pariah," the lizard explained.

"So why would the Colonel think that his actions were justified? I was thinking because he's insane but I'm no expert," the lion said.

"He wanted me as his right hand. The truth of the matter was, he viewed my family as being in the way. Beste was my confidant. I spoke to her because she'd understand what I was being asked to do," Slythe told him.

"Rattigan assumed you were sleeping with her and not just talking," Lion-O heaved a sigh.

"Apparently. Beste's father had retired from the service. He was a Lieutenant Colonel, something that Rattigan wanted for me. She understood the pressures and the toll it took on a family. My marriage was arranged by my father once Arzu was sent on her space job. My wife, Damla, was a wonderful woman but she deserved more than me. Then because of me, she was murdered," the lizard was at his tipping point. There was anger and sadness swirling in his head.

"When this is all over, you can tell me all about it. There is one thing you need to know - you now have a second chance with Arzu. If what you had is still there, go for it. Do not wait," Lion-O told him before heading out of the room and down to the Control Room. Slythe heaved a sigh. There was a lot on his plate and only one person who could help him sort it out.

To Be Continued…