Chapter 6: Scheming All Around

Hordak sat on his throne rubbing his throbbing temples. Horde Inspectors always gave him headaches and Caries was quickly proving to be the worst one he had ever encountered.

"I swear that insufferable harpy is deliberately trying to make me look bad!" He growled. "Why did Horde Prime have to send her? Darkney I could have dealt with, but this woman is going to be the death of me!"

"Not if I'm the death of her first!" Shadow Weaver hissed as she entered and approached Hordak, her long red robes brushing the steps as she floated up next to his throne. Hordak let her approach. Shadow Weaver was one of the few Horde members who had earned the right to stand by his side on the pedestal.

"I see I'm not the only one suffering Caries' wrath," Hordak muttered.

"Everyone who encounters her is being cited!" said Shadow Weaver as her glowing yellow eyes turned a furious red.

Grizzlor and Mantenna entered the throne room each wearing an expression of anger.

"Master, you've got to do something about that inspector!" Mantenna whined. It was a sign of just how annoyed he was that he had the courage to speak to Hordak in this manner.

"I was sitting at my station minding my own business, Grizzlor snarled, "when she kicked me out claiming I was getting fleas in the control panel!"

"She marked me down for moronic behavior," Mantenna added.

"And?" Hordak muttered.

"I wasn't even doing anything! I was just walking down the hall!"

"There's something suspicious about her behavior," Shadow Weaver nodded.

Before she could go any further Hordak's televiewer suddenly signaled an incoming transmission. At first Hordak ignored it but soon a voice rang over the speaker, which caught his attention.

"Pick up bat-breath, I know you're there!"

Hordak switched on the screen and an image of Road Queen shimmered into view. From the look of things she appeared to be calling while on the move as her hair was being swept back by the wind.

"What do you want, Road Queen?" Hordak snapped. I have enough problems today without listening to your sharp tongue!"

"Well then this should cheer you up," she grinned. "Mission accomplished!"

"What mission?"

"What mission do you think dumbass! The one you hired me for!"

"Watch you're mouth or I'll rip your jaw off," Hordak snapped. "If you weren't so useful to me…"

"Well I am, so you can just learn to take a few insults!" Road Queen snapped. "As I was saying, I've completed my mission and successfully captured the rebel leader Adora."

"WHAT?" all the Horde members shouted in unison.

"Why so surprised? I've never failed to get my man."

"But Adora's a girl," Grizzlor said scratching his head.

"Shut up you flea-brained hairball!" Shadow Weaver snarled.

"You really have Adora?" Hordak said unable to believe this sudden stroke of good luck.

"In hand and on route for delivery," Road Queen grinned. "I'm calling to make sure you're prepared to hold up your end of the bargain."

"Well it's not as easy as you think. I'm having trouble locating…"

"I don't want excuses!" Road Queen shouted. "We had an agreement and I expect you to make good on it! Unless you'd like me to just turn Adora loose right here and now."

"No!" Hordak shouted. As much as he was growing impatient with Road Queen's attitude, he could not let Adora slip out of his grasp. Especially with Caries still snooping around. If she found out he'd lost her… Hordak didn't even want to think about it.

"Just bring Adora here to the Fright Zone. By the time you arrive I'll have your…"

"You'd better!" Road Queen shouted before he could finish. "We've had a mutually beneficial relationship so far. But all it takes is one double cross to end that. I don't forgive easily, I seldom give second chances, and I'm sure you know you do not want me as your enemy!"

Before Hordak could say anything else Road Queen ended the transmission and he was staring at static. The ruthless leader huffed in fury and slammed his fist down. Normally he would not tolerate being spoken to in such a manner, however the capture of Adora was far to vital to his ultimate plans to risk loosing her over a bruised ego. Still, Road Queen's fee, while seemingly small and reasonable, had proven seemingly impossible to fulfill. He was going to have to think of a way around that as well.

"I don't see why you let her get away with that," Shadow Weaver said to him. "Why are you even dealing with bounty hunters in the first place?"

"Because unlike some others around here," Hordak said staring down at Mantenna and Grizzlor, "Road Queen has proven herself to be useful!"

"Yes, but her prices are outrageous!" Shadow Weaver screamed. "And now she's lain this demand on us completely out of nowhere! We'll never be able to give her what she wants."

"Why don't we just take Adora from her and refuse payment?" Grizzlor asked.

"Because what Road Queen said was true. Her services are valuable to me and I do not want her opposing the Horde. So I want you to get on top of the search and redouble your efforts. I must have her fee ready when she arrives."

"What if we can't find…"

"Then I'll think of a backup plan. But I'd prefer to just give her what she wants. Road Queen is no fool and would undoubtedly see through any deception. Now go and don't you dare come back empty handed!"

As Grizzlor ran out Hordak sat back and for the first time that day began to feel better.

"Adora will soon be mine! This ought to shut that wench Caries up nicely."

"I wouldn't be so sure of that," Shadow Weaver sighed. "Knowing her she'll find some way to use it against you."

"You're right she will," shouted a small squeaky voice. Hordak looked up to see his faithful lackey Imp flying over to him. Imp was a rather annoying little creature and all of the Hordesmen hated him save Hordak himself who found the small demon to be highly useful and even amusing.

"What do you mean?" Shadow Weaver asked. Normally she would not even want to speak to Imp, but the fact that he had said she was right rather than belittling her as usual had intrigued her.

"I was watching Caries from the shadows, you know keeping an eye on her, and I overheard her talking to herself. She's plotting against you boss! Caries doesn't care about making an honest inspection at all. She's purposely making a bad report so she can get you in trouble."

"You're certain of this Imp?"

"Absolutely! I heard her saying how once you're removed from power she's gonna get herself appointed your replacement!"

"I knew it!" Hordak shouted. "I knew she was up to something!"

"But what can we do about it?" Shadow Weaver asked. "If we tell Horde Prime he'll never believe you."

"We'll just have to make sure she never files that faulty report," Hordak snickered.

"How are we going to do that boss?" Imp asked eagerly.

"We'll play along with her for now," Hordak said in a sneaky scheming tone. "We won't let her suspect we know anything. Before the end of her visit the good inspector is going to meet with an unfortunate accident."

Hordak, Shadow Weaver and Imp all chuckled sinisterly until Mantenna spoke up from the floor.

"With all due respect Lord Hordak, I don't think we should rely on an accident happening. We should probably kill her ourselves."

Hordak stared at Mantenna with a blank look for what seemed like an eternity. Then, without a word, he pushed a small button on his throne opening a trap door beneath the Hordesman. Mantenna disappeared through the floor as his scream echoed down the long chute followed by a distant splash.

"Caries is right about one thing," Hordak muttered. "I'm surrounded by idiots!"