Disclaimer: I do not own "Lilo & Stitch" or any of the characters therein.
CHAPTER TWO
TROUBLE ON TURO
In the living room, a small group had gathered. Sitting on the couch were Lilo, Jumba and Pleakley, Lilo in the middle with Stitch sitting attentively in her lap. Nani sat on the arm of the couch next to Jumba, with David standing on her other side. Before them stood Cobra Bubbles, speaking in subdued tones to someone on the other end of the alien communiqué device in his hand.
His stone-like façade revealed little; his voice even less. The solemn atmosphere of the room was stifling; everyone shifted uncomfortably in their spots as they awaited the crucial news. After what seemed like hours, the conversation between Cobra and the Federation official finally appeared to be drawing to a close.
"Yes, I will. I'll make sure he does. I won't let him out of my sight. Alright. Bye." With the push of a button, the transition was ended. Cobra sighed deeply, tucking the small communiqué device back into his black suit before turning to face the others. In the resounding silence, everyone leaned forward, anticipating the news he was about to impart. Behind his dark Ray-Bans, Cobra studied each one of them, the underling alien Pleakley his central focus, though no one could tell at whom in particular he was looking. "There is an underground movement on the rise in Federation space," he told them. "It's been building up its resources for years, making numerous attempts to overthrow the Federation and monopolize its territory. Its last attempt led to an intergalactic war that claimed the lives of millions before they were finally beaten down. Unfortunately, the Federation was unable to capture its most powerful figureheads, all of whom had gone under near the end of the war and have not resurfaced again… until now. The movement has a militia known as the Kaizaxx, and it is on the rise again, larger and more powerful than before. It has already seized the tiny planet of Nereth, in the Strangeand Galaxy, holding all of its inhabitants hostage until their first set of demands are met. The Federation Council is presently working out negotiations with them. It is suspected that their next target may be Earth."
In the silence that followed, a tangible feeling of foreboding began to grow. Cobra paused, allowing this startling information to sink in as he studied their varied reactions. Nani stared, wide-eyed, into space, seemingly lost, even as David reached out and put a hand on her shoulder, looking equally lost. Lilo, again in her own little world where she preferred to hide, hugged Stitch tightly until he began to wriggle and grunt uncomfortably in her arms.
Jumba stared down at his massive hands where they rested on his knees, his two smaller eyes closed in deep thought. On the other end of the couch, Pleakley sat up straight and stone still, his singular eye by far the widest in the room as he stared blindly at the air in front of him. With his own keen eyes, Cobra was certain he could see a slight tic on the side of the alien's face, making lightning-quick movements with each twitch of his cheek. No one else appeared to notice just how disturbed their friend was by this news.
"There's more," Cobra continued, still watching Pleakley, his glare undetected behind his Ray-Bans. "The Kaizaxx are not known to target unregistered planets such as ours without a predetermined purpose. It is hardly worth their time and resources to do so, unless they know for sure there is something big to be gained by it. It has already been determined by the Council that there is indeed something here that they want, or, should I say, someone. This would not normally be a reason for concern for this planet, except that the Kaizaxx are notorious for going to extreme lengths in order to get what they want. And if that means annihilating an entire planet in order to obtain a single prisoner, then so be it."
Again a deafening silence followed, only to be broken by Nani, her voice small as she asked the biggest question of all. "But why? What, I mean who, could they possibly want here on Earth? And why go to such lengths to get that person?" Beside her, Jumba shifted uncomfortably, muttering something barely audible in his native tongue. Before Nani could voice her next thought, Lilo did it for her. "Are they after Jumba an' his 'speriments?"
"No," Cobra said flatly. "Although he is by far the most controversial individual in this room, and already the target of intergalactic conspiracy, I can safely say that he is not the one they are after. Not by a long shot." Jumba glance up at him, looking surprised. "Heh. For once I am not responsible for destruction of civilized society. This I find hard to believe. There must a mistake been made."
"Then who?" Lilo persisted, leaning forward excitedly with Stitch now upside-down in her arms. "If they're not after Jumba, then who else could they possibly be after?" Cobra turned his head sharply, cracking his neck, before answering her question. He looked at Lilo for a moment, then at the one-eyed alien sitting next to her. Pleakley gulped, watching his own terrified reflection stare back at him from Cobra's black shades. "They're after Pleakley."
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Well, whaddaya think so far? How's the suspense treating you? This is my first fic, and I know there are some things about it that suck already, but hey, that's what reviews are for, right? I'm not too sure where I'm going with this (mostly I just make it up as I go along) but any suggestions that you the readers might have would be most welcome. Thanx a mill for all the kind reviews so far! I never thought I would entertain anyone other than myself with this story. Wow. (takes a bow)