Summary/disclaimer: Time for another chapter of Horde of Horrors. Enjoy the 1500-word chapter. I don't own She-Ra, Mattel and a few others do.
Hordak called for all of his Lieutenants. He turned to Brennus as he reported.
"The scouts back at Candila reported the city will be under the Horde's control within hours." Brennus stated as Catra and Scorpia entered the room.
"Look, the runt who couldn't destroy Brightmoon." Grizzlor said, gaining a growl from Catra as Brennus crossed his arms.
"A direct attack on these rebels is suicide, Captain." Brennus said to which Hordak hummed.
"Indeed, Force Captain… Indeed." Hordak said, gaining a raised eyebrow from Catra.
"Wait, THEIR force captains now?" Catra asked, pointing a clawed finger at Brennus. Spyder looked up as Catra took a seat at the table.
"Considering they will be leading the raiding party towards Salineas?" Hordak questioned while Brennus hummed. "Yes. Their orientation starts tomorrow…. I must thank you 4 for bringing the Spirit Ember to us." Hordak added, his voice sounding as monotonous as usual.
"The kingdom of the aquatic princess, yes?" Brennus questioned and got a nod. "I do not believe that assault will still be easy, Lord Hordak. Even if their leader is captured? They will not surrender; my people would not bend a knee if a sword was held to my throat. I don't expect them to… Nor do I trust them in the Fright Zone." Brennus added, his lensed eyes narrowing.
He was well aware that the next battle would be costly. No matter how they came upon the enemy? They would be ready, no kingdom missing their ruler would be vulnerable. Brennus had fought other nobles before a few months before Skeletor's invasion.
"Catra, how have your efforts to locate the other princesses been?" Hordak questioned, turning his attention to Catra.
"Probably as bad as her siege of Brightmoon." Grizzlor said, earning Catra's barred teeth.
"And how many sieges have YOU led, Ursaurian?" Brennus asked as he turned to the warrior. "Your people of Jungulia are supposed to be monstrous warriors able to rip trees apart… Yet I have NEVER heard you lead soldiers into battle. Catra was on the frontlines alongside her soldiers. Don't mock someone if you don't have the stomach to back them up." Brennus said, not noticing Catra blink at the sign of respect while Grizzlor went to try and stand up.
Brennus gripped his sword, eager to fight the warrior before Hordak stood up, pushing the duo back.
"Enough!" Hordak yelled to which Brennus and Grizzlor paused as both Horde officers turned and looked at him. "This is not an arena! Brennus? You still have a point, even capturing their princess will not make the battle easier when it comes down to it. Scorpia? I have a job for you and Entrapta alongside Spyder. Catra? You and Brennus will be leading the siege." Hordak ordered as the warriors took their seats once more.
Brennus turned to Catra who was quite interested in things. An siege was going to be a long, contracted duty.
"I will handle the princesses if they appear." Brennus stated, pointing at the map. "Catra is clever, but they will be ready for her. They do not understand me, I may not understand them… But that works both ways. Besides? Catra is more knowledgeable about the terrain." Brennus added while Spyder looked at Hordak.
"Oh, what will I be doing, Lord Hordak!?" Spyder said, cupping his hands together.
Brennus and Hordak shared a look to which the Vorutian Prince was silent and looked at his brother.
"Spy? Turn down the octane a bit." Brennus said and got a nod as the prince lowered his hands slightly.
"The exposition to Mount Candila yielded more research on the First Ones." Hordak said and tapped a few buttons on his throne. "Entrapta's research led to us finding a cache of First One's technology… Spyder and Scorpia are to guard Entrapta as she researches it." Hordak said, his voice more paused when mentioning the princesses' name.
"Will the princesses not notice us sending troops out?" Octavia questioned while Brennus turned his attention to the map.
"The Moraturian is correct." Brennus said, gaining looks from the others. "I know species, not names. I am not from Etheria, remember? Still? Committing to a siege leaves us vulnerable." Brennus added, cupping his head in his hands.
"I don't plan on conquering Salineas, Brennus." Hordak said and waved his hand. "I expect reports if you're not asking questions… And Brennus? I would be mindful of whom you trust." Hordak added as Brennus shrugged and stood up.
"We're conquer the city if we have to reduce its defenses to ash, Lord Hordak." Brennus stated and turned to Catra. "Despite being a prince? I'll refer to your leadership until further notice." Brennus added while Spyder shot up.
"It means he trusts you, Catra! You're his friend now!" Spyder shouted while his brother sighed and facepalmed.
"Spy, may you PLEASE not yell EVERYTHING?" Brennus said before turning to leave. "I'll wait by the barracks. We will need many soldiers for such an invasion." Brennus said while leaving, his cloak billowing behind him.
"Seems we got a new group of buddies, Catra." Scorpia said to which Catra was silent and simply left once more and surely looked with interest.
She looked at Brennus who rounded the corner. The prince sounded very weird, but she did enjoy that he was quite willing to trust her… Then again? She was one of the few people he probably DID trust when it comes down to it.
"Brennus!" Catra yelled, making the Vorutian pause and turn to her. "Why did you say all that stuff about me? You barely know me." Catra said, crossing her arms.
"I told you, I read people like you do." Brennus said as he paused to turn to her. "You're a lot of things, but I can tell you're not a coward. Your prideful, it's a trait a lot of Vorutians share… Tell me something." Brennus said and slowly marched back towards the girl. Catra looked up as Brennus looked down at her.
"Adora and you have a…" Brennus started to say and crossed his arms. "Personal history, yes? You want to kill her yourself, do you not? If we encounter her at the city… You're going to try to kill her, yes?" Brennus asked, the lenses on his helmet narrowing as the prince considered this.
Catra's eyes narrowed, only enough for Brennus to understand he was on the mark. The next battle would be personal. They would not underestimate either of the duo for they had drawn blood.
"And if I do?" Catra questioned to which Brennus placed his hands on his hips.
"Then don't involve your soldiers in it." Brennus stated while clicking his tongue against the roof of his mouth. "The rebels will make it personal. We defeated 2 of them… I will be busy making a plan to attack the city while on the water… I will not be able to help much if you need it. Your smarter and faster than you look, if you can't beat them head on? Find another way." Brennus said before he turned to leave.
He closed his eyes. There would be a great deal of plans for him to make. He turned to see if he could gather someone to command into battle.
"You know their go after you first considering your commanding the boats, right?" Catra asked to which the prince nodded.
"Oh, I know, but I plan to fight them myself if I have to." Brennus said and cracked his fingers. "Well, come. Glorious battle and honor await. We will need some sort of scout, however. We aren't going in blind, that's just stupid." Brennus said and turned to walk away.
He didn't plan on reducing the city to rubble. Not without letting civilians flee. It wasn't just heartless and sociopathic to target innocent people, it was something without honor. No Vorutian would EVER think of doing such a thing.
"Water sucks." Catra said, Brennus nodded and crossed his arms.
"Considering I can't swim good… And I sink in this armor?" Brennus added while looking at the Horde Commander. "Yes, it does… But I do not plan on allowing anyone in the water. Now, where does the Horde keep warships and hovercraft? I know we have a plan." Brennus stated and looked around with interest.
Next assignment looked to be rather unique when it came down to it. He could just tell that it would be rather interesting.
Catra nodded and led him towards the motor pool.
Author notes
Phew. Another chapter done! I want to point out that next chapter will be rather longer by a little and such. Next chapter will be in 2-10 months and will show Catra and Brennus planning the siege of Salineas. Until then, Lighting Wolf out!
P.S: New characters and such will be introduced in a few chapters or so.