Chapter 3: Dead or Alive

"I must admit Hordak," Caries muttered as she scratched something down on the clipboard she was carrying, "I haven't seen anything particularly out of order as of yet. Nothing that would tarnish your image at least."

Hordak grinned and inward he breathed a sigh of relief. "I'm glad you are pleased Inspector."

"I didn't say that," Caries smirked. Now she was the one grinning, which in turn made Hordak's grin vanish instantly.

"I beg your pardon?"

"It's true I haven't seen anything overly wrong yet," she said, putting a particular emphasis on the word yet. "However, I also have not seen anything praiseworthy either. Right now I'd say your overall evaluation ranks simply moderate."

This is why I hate inspectors! Hordak thought but bit his tongue. He needed to stay on Caries' good side, assuming she even had one. It was his opinion, based on past experience, that Horde inspectors went out of their way to find fault with everything. Mostly they loved to hoard (no pun intended) their power over him. Hordak enjoyed being in command so this was a particular peeve.

"Well then," Caries said looking over her checklist. "Time to inspect your troops. After all, the actions of soldiers reflects upon their leader."

At this point there was a sudden sound of rushing wind as a blur of light came into view. A cloud of dust rose up as the blur skidded to a stop revealing a mysterious cybernetic warrior.

"Who, or perhaps I should say what, is this?" Caries growled, brushing the dust off her uniform.

Perfect timing! Hordak thought. "Inspector, allow me to present one of my best warriors Dragstor. Fastest man, fastest anything in fact, on Etheria."

"You don't say," Caries muttered. It was hard to say if she was impressed yet or not so Hordak played on further.

"I created him myself. Before he was just a weak little nobody. But I rebuilt him. I made him twice as strong and a hundred times faster than he was."

Caries "hmm"ed and looked Dragstor over. Hordak could tell she was impressed now but, in typical inspector fashion, she was desperately trying to find some fault in Hordak's masterpiece of invention.

Finally she spoke low to Hordak, "Do you really think it's wise to give so much power to someone with free will? What if he were to turn on you?"

Hordak whispered low so Dragstor would not hear, "No worries. I erased all of his memories in the process. He knows nothing of his past life. All he knows now is his loyalty to the Horde."

"We'll see." Caries said finally and Hordak knew he had won this round.

"Lord Hordak," Dragstor said with a hiss as an exhaust like gas blew out of the ventilation mask on his helmet. "I bring news regarding the rebel leader Adora."

"Report then Dragstor."

"Yes Dragstor, do report," Caries chuckled in a way that made Hordak's freshly obtained pleasure fade. "Tell us what news you have about this traitor to the Horde. This traitor who now leads a rebellion that continues to oppose and usurp us. This traitor who would not even be alive today had Hordak followed his orders all those years ago instead of pursuing his own, rather suspicious, endeavors."

"What does she mean by…"

"Never mind!" Hordak shouted. "Just speak your report!"

"My Lord, the Rebel leader Adora along with the rouge pirate Sea Hawk were discovered in Middlepoint by one of our scout platoons a short while ago."

"Excellent, have they been captured yet?"

Dragstor shook his head. "Unfortunately, our scouts were ambushed and destroyed by an unknown source. The rebels fled in the confusion."

"They escaped?" Hordak bellowed.

"Interesting," Caries smiled and jotted down a note on her clipboard. "An entire platoon couldn't handle a mere two rebels."

"How did you find out about this Dragstor?"

"One of the troops sent a garbled transmission before abruptly shutting down. Curiously though, our trackers indicate that one of our hover bikes left the location shortly afterwards. We believe one of our troops escaped the assault and is in pursuit, but if so he has not requested backup nor is he responding to our transmissions."

"Incompetent and disobedient," Caries tisked. "This doesn't reflect well on you Hordak. Not well at all."

Hordak growled and spoke to Dragstor through clenched teeth. Had it been someone like Mantenna or Grizzlor he would have taken his frustration out on him. However, Dragstor was far more intelligent and valuable to him so he would not punish the warrior for something that was in no way his fault.

"Dragstor, get the word out to every Hordesman in the field. I want Adora hunted down and brought to me alive!"

"Again you want to keep her living Hordak," Caries said with a tone of suspicion. "I wonder why it is you seem so concerned for the life of a despicable traitor."

She turned to Dragstor. "Dragstor was it? By the authority given me by Horde Prime, I'm making an amendment to that order. Adora is to be captured alive or dead. Personally, I'd prefer dead. It'll save us the trouble of executing her later."

The inspector turned and began walking away twirling her quill around her fingers.

"As for you Hordak," she called over her shoulder, "I suggest you look into why that rogue hover bike isn't responding. It may just be a problem with the communicator. Let me know when you find out so I can inform Horde Prime exactly where it was you fouled up. Meanwhile, I'm going to have a look at the rest of the morons you have working here."

Caries laughed out loud as she disappeared into the depths of the Fright Zone. Hordak shook with rage as he watched her leave unable to do anything about it. Finally he slammed his fist into the wall leaving a large imprint in the stone.

"I'm going to kill that damn woman!" he snarled under his breath.

After a moment of silence he heard Dragstor's voice behind him.

"By your leave master, I shall carry out my orders."

Hordak turned to his warrior with a sudden inspiration. "Wait. Dragstor, who is your loyalty to?"

"To you of course master Hordak."

"Then you would do as I commanded, even if it went against orders you had received from Horde Prime or anyone who spoke for him?"

"I serve you and you alone," Dragstor said and bowed slightly.

Hordak grinned wide. "Good. Then this is my order. Ignore what Caries told you. I want Adora brought to me alive. If I find her otherwise, the one who committed the deed will suffer greatly. Understood?"

"As you wish," Dragstor said. "But what if the inspector discovers this?"

"With any luck she will not," Hordak said. "If she does I will deal with her myself. I have a feeling I'm going to have to do something drastic about her soon anyway. Don't let anyone know I said that though."

"Of course not Lord Hordak," Dragstor nodded and bowed again before turning and racing off to carry out his command.

Why can't all my warriors be like you? Hordak thought as he watched Dragstor leave. He sighed as he pondered what he was going to do about Caries. The inspector was turning out be a bigger problem to his plans than anyone else.

I have to be careful. She could ruin everything I've been working so hard for. She's suspicious of why I want Adora alive, and rightfully so. If she learns the truth she'll inform Horde Prime and I'll be finished!