ThunderCats

Bio-Boster Armor Guyver

Eye of the Storm

Episode 20

"Sho has fully recovered," Siberias said as council convened. The early morning sunlight shone through the windows of the Council Chamber, whose round table all the ThunderCats sat about. Lion-O sat at the head of said table, crown in place and cape upon his shoulders. Along with the worries of the future. "His arm fully regenerated last night. The Guyver left him, and he's in a deep sleep."

"Myrlha's with him," he said more to fill the air than anything else. Everyone present knew where she would be. "She's safe?"

"The armor dis-engaged just before he finally passed out," Pumyra explained. "I forsee no danger."

"On THAT front," Torr offered. "If this datapadd he brought back can be trusted, we have a SHITLOAD of other things to worry about!"

"Panthro," Lion-O said, "you've had time to review those schematics. What are your thoughts?"

"They scare the hell out of me," he replied matter-of-factly.

"The fact that they exist or that they might work?" Bengali asked.

"Both, and there's no might about it. Also, these aren't for prototype engines. The designs are too refined to be early works."

"So, Plun-Darr could have this technology now?"

"The beginnings of it at the very least, Laheela." He turned his gaze back to Lion-O. "If we get started now, we could have this before Plun-Darr could fully develop it."

"Father," he said, still unable to use Claudis' given name even on official and most urgent business, "did R.I. have anything on a Mutant FTL program?"

"No," the wizened man replied, "but clearly they were working on it. Since our own research into that field was proving to be a money pit, we simply assumed that any Mutant research would bear as little fruit. As your mother used to say sometimes, 'Look who's wrong'."

"So," Cheetara added, "we're going on the assumption that the events described in this datapadd could come to pass?" Nods met her question. "Then I think we should focus on how we can prevent them."

"Aren't we doing that now?" WilyKat asked. "I mean, just having this Council session is changing the way things play out, right?"

"But, to what extent?" Lynx-O replied. "Clearly, more than talk is necessary. Halting construction of the transmitter was a positive step toward averting this future, but I doubt it is enough alone."

"Let's cut to the quick here," WilyKit said. "Grune." Silence fell at that.

"Pumyra," Lion-O said, "what are the chances that Grune survived Fortress Plun-Darr, disregarding the information we now have?"

"The loss of his arm wouldn't help," she said at once, "especially in an environment as harsh as Third Earth's. What he would have to worry about most is an infection setting in."

"Go on."

"The Guyver's head beam is the most intensely powerful compact laser I've ever seen. Grune's stump was cauterized, which would prevent death by blood loss, but the risk of infection is sky-high. Unless he could keep it bandaged and dis-infected, any number of local bugs could kill him."

"So if he still lives," Tygra added, "he had help. The question is, from whom?"

"Or what," Lion-O said, thinking of Mumm-Ra. "Could some medical supplies have survived that battle?"

"Possibly," Kyrana said. "Or, what passed for medical supplies on those ships. Mutants aren't well known for achievements in the healing arts. Most of what Primor had was what he could steal, nevermind if anyone on-board knew how to use them properly."

"It was, all told, a very mixed bag," Siberias said. "At least, what little I saw of it. Sneaking medicines into the slave pens was always difficult at best." Nothing needed to be said about how they'd had to do it. Lion-O noticed the shudder that Laheela had barely managed to suppress.

"If we're thinking that bastard's still kicking," Torr added, "then we gotta assume that bit about him getting a Guyver unit could happen."

"The way forward is clear," Claudis added, "Grune must be decisively dealt with before that comes to pass."

"Just gotta search a whole continent for him at the very least," Bengali replied. "And just how can he get one? Sho's told us over and over that there were only three."

"And that one had been destroyed, but apparently that one was able to repair itself, complete with Lisker," Tygra said.

"What're the odds Sho's lyin' about that?" Torr's question dragged the conversation to a halt. "I mean, I don't know the guy that well."

"Sho's talents as a liar are on par with the average Bolkin," Panthro said. "He couldn't tell a convincing lie if you put a pistol to his head."

"However," Lynx-O mused, "he has also told us that his memory is not fully restored. It is conceivable that information on a fourth unit is within that lost area of his mind."

"Or," Cheetara said, "there could be others he has no knowledge of."

"Our resources aren't unlimited," Lion-O began, "searching the length and breadth of this continent for one man will be as difficult as looking for an ancient artifact that might not even exist. I move we put finding Grune as our priority rather than more Guyver Units." Jaga knows, he thought, we don't need any to fall into the wrong hands.

"Then the question becomes, what do we do with him?" Tygra asked. "We must not lose sight of the Code."

"Grune's crimes since his return to the mortal coil are sufficient for him to be arrested and tried," Claudis replied. "Legally speaking, we are entirely within our rights to follow this course of action."

"And, after he is found guilty?" Tygra asked in retort. The outcome of any inquiry would be obvious. "Capital punishment was outlawed on Thundera generations ago."

"Let's decide what to do with Grune after we've detained him." Lion-O had seen the storm brewing between the two men, and didn't want this to devolve into an arguement. Clear thinking was needed far more than heated words. Tygra and Claudis nodded in agreement, much to his relief. "Now, I wish to pose a question." Though he was king, he was unused to being fully in command. Part of him wondered if that was a good thing. "Should we allow Sho to take part in this?"

"What do you mean?" Pumyra asked, clearly puzzled.

"I think what Lord Lion-O means," Tygra said, "is that while Sho follows our laws and ways, he is NOT Thunderian."

"Let's not forget about being able to turn into a one-man army," Laheela added.

"Indeed," he agreed. "Sho has changed since we first met him. He might not be able to hold himself back from killing Grune on sight. What I mean to say," he added quickly, "is that he is very protective. Sho has no qualms killing in the name of defense."

"None of us do," Panthro said.

"But, actually hunting Grune down? I'm not at all sure how he'd deal with that."

"Keep going."

"Well, Majesty, he'll either question why he's hunting someone down or he'll do so with rather unhealthy zeal. Either way, I don't think Sho should be in on it. This is a matter best handled internally."

"We could out-source it."

"Torr?"

"Sho isn't the only Guyver on Third Earth."

"No," Lion-O said. "That might lead to us having to fully explain the data we now have."

"And which we must keep classified," Claudis said.

"I agree," Laheela spoke up. "My lord, the people of New Thundera Colony have suffered greatly since the loss of our homeworld. Even though we're now free, and a people once more, many are waiting for the other shoe to drop. If they learn that Grune still lives, and might gain the kind of power Sho has..."

"It'll be panic in the streets," Claudis finished.

Darkness everywhere, warm as the womb in which he'd been conceived. Sho floated in that darkness, yet was drawn to something. Something he wanted, yet feared. Something, out there, something he needed desperately yet remained out of his sight.

"What are you?!" he screamed into the blackness. A shape resolved from the inky depths, outlined by a light that came from no souce he could indentify. Its shape was ovoid, and bursting with light from within.

The light erupted around him, focusing to a spot overhead as the softness of the bed made itself known, along with the fingers intwined in his. Sho fully opened his eyes to find the Medical Wing to be his current residence and the fingers twined in his to be Myrlha's.

"You're awake!" she cried before kissing him. "Oh, I was SO worried!"

"I'm back now," he said weakly. Myrlhas fingers clenched over his as she embraced him. Sho returned the best he was able. "Before you ask, I feel like hell."

"At least you can still feel," she said as a single tear fell from her right eye to splash against his cheek.

"Hey, no waterworks," he said as he brushed more tears from her eyes with the thumb of his free hand. "Has everyone seen the datapadd I brought back?"

"Yes." The shiver which ran through her translated into his own supine body. "It... I can't begin to describe it."

"I was there, and I can't."

"So, I was there, huh?" she asked, turning playful. Sho understood. The horrors on that datapadd would take time to fully contemplate and there was no sense in spoiling their reunion. If a reunion it was. Time travel, he reflected, really made semantics a challenge.

"And every bit as beautiful as you are now."

"Well, I suppose it wasn't cheating."

"Huh?"

"There was a message on that datapadd which had been flagged for me," Myrlha said as Sho made as much room for her as he could on the narrow bed. She snuggled against him, a finger tracing patterns on his chest. "She, that is, I... The OTHER me told me about what had happened."

"Oh. Yeah."

"She also told me about spending twenty years without you, wondering what had happened, all the tragedy that had fallen on us. Know what she said in the end?"

"What?"

"To never let you go. That you're the love of BOTH our lives." Sho remained silent, unable to form a response to that. "Even if the life she led won't happen now." They lay there, each absorbed in their thoughts. "How strong was he?"

"Too damn strong," Sho said truthfully.

"Panthro," Lion-O said as the Council session was winding down to decision time, "you and Tygra consult these schematics. Try to determine if we can make these engines with our current technology and resources."

"Not gonna be easy," Panthro replied with a shake of his head. "These things violate all the known laws of motion. I didn't say it was impossible," he added quickly before Lion-O could protest. "We're gonna have to re-learn physics to understand how these work."

"You're our resident miracle-worker," Cheetara said. The tense mood eased somewhat at that.

"Bengali," Tygra said, "I think we're going to need new alloys developed for ship hulls."

"Fine with me," he said with a shrug. "I was never one to turn down a challenge. But, I won't let this cut too deep into my time with Pumyra and Darin."

"I wouldn't ask that of you," Lion-O said. "We all trust your ability and ingenuity."

"Gives me something to think about when changing diapers."

"Don't get too distracted," Pumyra taunted. "I don't want to come home to find our son with a daiper on his head." Chuckles rumbled around the table.

"I'm sure Snarf would be happy to help in any way you need," Lion-O said with a grin. "Next, how to hunt for Grune. The only lead we have right now is the ruins of Fortress Plun-Darr. Cheetara, you'll head up the search."

"Understood."

"Siberias, Kyranna, Torr, Laheela, all of you will accompany her. You knew the layout of the underground areas."

"What of Myrlha?" Kyranna asked. "She memorized the plans."

"But, she didn't help build it for very long before her escape. In the end, her knowledge of those plans hadn't played into our assault. Besides," he said with a shrug," I don't want to separate her and Sho so soon after they've reunited."

"I see," Siberias replied. "You wish us to depart at once?"

"Yes. Since you won't be escorting Gomplins loaded down with Tuska soldiers, the Feliner should be able to make the journey far more quickly."

"True," Panthro agreed. "Just take a change of Thundrillium modules."

"Take camping gear, just in case."

"If there is nothing else? Council is adjourned, then."

The Depot smelled of lubricants and grease within its enclosed space. In the center of the main hangar sat the mostly assembled ThunderTank with patches of shaped plating stacked in preparation for assembly and welding over the exposed wiring and pneumatic systems. Tools hung from their racks in neat soldierly rows, awaiting their next use. Panthro breathed it in as he beheld engineering on a level even he had never dreamed possible. How had those bastards done it?! He and Tygra stood before the enormous monitor of the Depot's main computer, staring up at various portions of engine designs as the system highlighted them.

"A matter/anti-matter collider," Panthro said in muted astonishment. "Jaga's ass, if ANYTHING went wrong in the reaction chamber..."

"The chamber itself is a perfect sphere," Tygra added. "Tolerances of less than a micron. The matter/anti-matter ratio, however is constant."

"One to one," he replied. No matter how fast the reaction happened, the ratio was always that. "Some of these," he said as the diagram pulled back, "must be particle regulators. Damnit, how did Plun-Darr BUILD this thing?"

"What was it you used to say?" Tygra asked. "The sun shines on a rat's ass once in a while?"

"I hate to think how close they might be to this," Panthro muttered. "I think I get how it's supposed to work."

"The ship," Tygra began, "rides a wave of warped space." It was more like a bubble, both knew. "The warped space field ITSELF is what achieves FTL, carrying the ship with it."

"The more intense the field, the faster it goes. But, the hull stress has to be enormous! That field CAN'T work in only one direction!"

"You said it yourself. It's time to re-learn physics."

"At lest we've got the professor's notes."

The trip had been uneventful. Cheetara sat in the Feliner's main pilot seat, guiding the ship through the air currents. Without the weight of supplies and the ThunderStrike, they had been able to achieve optimum altitude for fuel use and make far greater speed. They dropped beneath the clouds over the ruination of Fortress Plun-Darr just as the sun was still somewhat high over this stretch of land. From above, the devestation was impressive.

From the ground, they discovered some minutes later, it was horrifying.

She spotted the crater left by Lion-O's summoning of such tremendous power from the Eye of Thundera, and the shattered bones which lay about it. Sundry other skeletal remains dotted the landscape, both Mutant and Tuska. All of them gathered before the massed pile of rubble which had once been the Mutant Army's stronghold, square in the middle of an enormous trench of vaporized earth. The fortress had been smack in the middle of Sho and Lisker's combined megasmasher blast, and the only evidence left was a melted pile of slag of what materials had somehow survived.

"If Grune dug through this with one arm and a stump," Torr said as he came up to her left, "the he was the baddest sonuvabitch this side of anywhere."

She was forced to agree. The sun began to set over the enormous trench dug by the two megasmashers and the wreckage of both Mutant soldeirs and Mutant vehicles. She remembered the assault well, the thrill and terror of combat. Cheetara had almost lost her life on this soil.

For it to be saved by Lisker, of all people.

"Fan out," she said. "Let's try to find where Myrlha got above ground. We'll have a better chance of getting to the subterranian levels there." Cheetara looked about, not finding Laheela anywhere. She had an idea where the other woman could be.

The sunset cast the sky of her new homeworld in a firey glow as Laheela stood at That Spot. Where Sho and Lisker had eradicated the rest of the Mutant Army. She could almost feel it happening as her imagination overrode her memories. The Mutants charging toward them, the brilliant light that had immolated all before it.

This is the spot, she thought. This is where my enslavement ended. Right here. She still remembered seeing that light, then kissing Maria in joy as she was born anew. Sho, she knew, had fought to bring her to this point, whether he had meant to or not. Lisker had, as well. Why? What did it matter?

She stared out over the trench of scorched earth, to where Fortress Plun-Darr had once stood. Two men had fought for her freedom, each with their own reasons, but her standing here now was the ultimate result. Seeing the devastation they had inflicted, the bleached bones picked clean by Third Earth's carrion eaters, Laheela could not help but be awed. Having seen it on the ship was nothing next to seeing it from ground level.

Laheela traced a finger along the grip of one of her guns. In her mind's eye, she could see Grune before her. With Primor dead, and Grune alive, she found shifting her lingering hate all the easier. Grune stood before her as Primor had, gesturing to the shackles hanging from the ceiling. Those things which still sometimes chafed her writsts in her dreams.

"Laheela?"

The sound of her name snapped her out of her reverie. She turned to see Cheetara approaching.

"Sorry," she said. "This is where Sho and Lisker..."

"You weren't thinking about that."

"No." Laheela took in a deep breath, thinking about what she should say.

"Planning to shoot me?" Cheetara's pointed question and raised eyebrow made her hand flinch from the gun.

"Sorry! I... I was imagining Grune. What I'd like to do to him."

"I won't tell you not to think things like that," Cheetara said as she came nearer. "I've had a few thoughts in that direction myself."

"All the abuse, it was the Mutants. But, they're dead and he's not." The other woman remained silent, the look on her face encouraging her to go on. "I mean, if what we all talked about happens..."

"That's why we're here," Cheetara said gently. "To make sure it doesn't."

"I know. But... He TURNED on his own kind!"

"He's hardly the first to do that."

"That bastard turned a blind eye to what they were doing to his own kind. He didn't even care that we were being beaten and raped. We were just objects to him. Even spies had some lingering loyalties!"

"Seduced by greed, by lust of power. A traitor like Grune is rare. He's driven by hate."

"Why give him any mercy?"

"Why act like the Mutants?" Cheetara asked as she draped an arm over her shoulders. "Why discard what separates us from them?"

"I want to protect our people. I can do that, now."

"By contemplating murder?"

"I wish I could say no."

"So do I." Laheela snapped her gaze onto Cheetara's face, stunned at the revelation. "Trust me, I've wanted to wreak a bloody vengeance on them for the things I've suffered through. It's only natural to."

"I know it's not right to think like this..."

"Just remember: If you get Grune in your sights, aim to wound. Let justice win out."

"I wish I could promise that."

"If not, I don't think anyone would blame you." Laheela gaped at Cheetara. "I'm not saying it would be okay."

"Just... Understandable. You know what Primor used me for?"

"I know. That comes with a burden of hate I'd wish on no one." Cheetara cupped her face in her free hand. "You have much to work through. I know that, and I want to let you know I'm here. I've been in a place not too different from where you are. I want to help."

"Thank you, Cheetara."

"Some advice?"

"Sure."

"Keep talking to Tygra. He's better at helping people than he knows." Laheela smiled at that.

"So I've seen."

"Kyranna to Cheetara," came the voice from her comm.

"Go ahead."

"We've found a way into the tunnels."

"Great. We'll be right there."

"Wonder what these were used for?" Torr asked as they shone their handlights along the smooth stone. The party of ThunderCats stood on an elevated walkway that ran parallel to the wide square trench in the bottom of the tunnel. Dust hung thick in the air, lit by the beams of the lights.

"I believe this is where Myrlha and Salvador made their escape," Siberias said. "It's close enough to the site."

"These aren't natural caverns," Cheetara said, running a hand along the smooth surface of the wall. "From the look of things, they were made a long time ago."

"By humans," Kyranna added. "I heard that a stadium had been built here a long time ago."

"An entire city, according to Sho," Cheetara replied before sneezing. "These tunnels date back to Second Earth."

"I wonder what they were for?"

"If I had to guess, Laheela," Siberias said, "these are sewer tunnels."

"Great," Torr groused, "we're walking through fossilized shit."

"There's no telling what's down here," Kyranna added. "Myrlha and the Wollo made it, but they had fresh air to follow. How do we retrace their steps?"

"We don't," Cheetara said, "at least not now. Night's almost fallen. Besides, as old as these tunnels are, I'm not sure how stable they'll be after the hammering they took from above last year. Back to the Feliner. We'll investigate further in the morning."

Sho awoke from the dream again, feeling the faint prickle of a connection between himself and... something else. It wasn't the Guyver, but... Sho cursed as the connection faded again. What was it? He had felt it when fighting the future Grune, and was no closer to knowing its true nature than he'd been then. The windows of the Medical Wing were still dark, and the presence of Myrlha beside him was warm and inviting. He draped an arm about her, and sleep overtook him again in moments.

"We're beginning our next foray into the tunnels," Cheetara said over the commlink. Lion-O stood in the Control Center of Cat's Lair, sipping his first coffee of the day and trying to look regal despite only having awakened a half hour before.

"Be careful down there," he said in a voice thick with sleep. "I'm not sure how stable they are."

"I plan to. Cheetara out." Her voice was all business, they never spoke intimately unless alone together. Having finished his coffee, Lion-O left the Control Center to Lynx-O and made his way to the throne room for another day of adminstration duties which had bedeviled all kings before him.

"You okay, miss?" the burly guard on the right at the entrance to Cat's Lair asked as she drew near. She couldn't blame him for being confused at her appearance.

"I am well," she replied. "I seek an audience with his majesty, King Lion-O." The two men, each holding spear with a pistol holstered at their hips, traded a look that spoke volumes. "It is urgent."

"No offense, miss, but you seem to be needing an audience with Lady Pumyra what with all the bandages."

"Vanguard Sho, as well," she continued as if neither had spoken. "They will both wish to see me."

"Oh, why not?" the lean guard on the left replied in a weary tone, clearly eager to pass her off on to someone else. He stepped into the recessed doorway. "Entrance to Sir Tygra," he said on activating the comm device.

"Tyrgra here."

"Got someone at the door, says she needs an audience with the king. And the vanguard."

"Strange..."

"Ny name is Mumm-Rana," she said for the benefit of the guards and Tygra. The silence from the commlink was thick with anxiety.

"Send her in. I'll arrange an audience immediately. Escort her directly to the throne room."

"After you, gentlemen."

"Mumm-Rana," Lion-O said in greeting after having dismissed the guards. Tygra remained behind with Sho standing beside him. Tension swirled and eddied in the surounding space, yet Mumm-Rana appeared perfectly calm.

"Time for round two?" Sho asked.

"No, Vanguard Sho, and I apologize for my earlier attempt on your life. I beg your forgiveness." Mumm-Rana faced him and offered a deep bow. Sho's jaw dropped almost as low as she did.

"Didn't you say you'd kill me the next time we met?"

"I did, and I apologize for that as well."

"Why didn't you simply teleport in here?" Lion-O asked with a raised eyebrow, relieved that the atmosphere was becoming more relaxed yet puzzled at her attitude.

"You are a king, now," she began once she faced him again, "and a man whom I respect. I would not insult you by short circuiting protocol."

"You're our friend. My door is open to you any time."

"Thank you. There are urgent matters we must discuss, but it would be best done in my pyramid."

"Why not here?"

"You will see, Tygra, upon our arrival. With your consent, King Lion-O?"

"Of course," he replied, not showing how he was looking forward to seeing some different scenery on top of worry at what this discussion would bring. At least, he thought, she didn't come for another fight with Sho.