Well, here is my next chapter. Hope you enjoy it.
Sly Cooper and the Space Thieves
Chapter 23- The Queen's Situation
It didn't take very long to reach the planet of Dramar; it was the orange world Sly's gang has seen earlier. Jacor told Admiral Balack to take the fleet toward the edge of the asteroid field and wait there until the Dragon Thief returns to their side. Once the Dragon Thief was in the planet's orbit, Bentley began to make contact with the world's ruler, Queen Wingdra. They did not wait long for their return reply.
"Sly, we are getting a response to our transmission." said Bentley. "Put it on screen," replied Sly. Another bird-like alien appeared on the screen, but this one was definitely female. 'This has to be Queen Wingdra,' thought Sly as he got a good look at her. She was wearing a ruby red robe with a wing-like crown on her royal head. She looked young and beautiful with sharp, blue eyes, orange feathers, and a beak slightly darker than Captain Rovax's beak. When she spoke, she was polite but serious.
"Greetings, I am Queen Wingdra of Dramar. Who is your captain?" Sly then stood up so she would see him better. "I am Sly Cooper of the Dragon Thief. We have come to talk to you about a serious matter, your majesty." The queen looked at him and questioned him once more. "Really? What matter do you speak of, Sly Cooper?" Rovax then stepped forward so that his queen could see him. "It is the matter of the ones who attacked my ship and nearly killed its crew." Queen Wingdra was both surprised and happy to see him alive.
"Captain Rovax! You're alive! Thank Dramar. When the Talon crew arrived and told me what had happened, I feared for your safety. It is good to see you alive and well." Rovax bowed to his queen. "I am glad to be alive as well. If it wasn't for Sly and his crew, I might have never survived. I owe them my life." The queen nodded and smiled. "Now that I know you are still among the living, I have a question for you. Have you learned anything of your attackers?" Rovax nodded gravely and began to tell her what he had learned from Sly and his friends.
When Rovax was done, the queen looked very troubled. "I see. This is very disturbing news, Captain. This Emperor Kanog sounds very dangerous." "I agree," said Rovax. "Your highness, I have a request to make." The queen stared at him. "What is the manner of this request?" The scarred captain looked at her with a very serious face. "I request that you organize an attack fleet to aid Sly's crew and the Aquian fleet. If Kanog is setting up a defense force around his planet, it will be tough to penetrate. With our help, I am sure that Sly's friends will succeed in bringing down this tyrant."
Queen Wingdra looked startled by this request and was silent for a few minutes. When she spoke again, she spoke with sorrow. "I am sorry Captain Rovax, but I cannot put together an attack fleet at the moment." Everyone on the bridge was shocked by her response, especially Rovax. Angered by this, Beowulf stepped forward. "What are you talking about? After everything you've just learned, after the destruction of one of your ships, you refuse to help! This is outrageous!" "Calm down, Beowulf," said Carmelita in a soft voice.
The young queen turned to the white wolf with surprise. "I am afraid that you misunderstood me, King Beowulf." She waited for the king to calm down. When he seemed to regain his composure, Wingdra continued. "I didn't say that I didn't want to organize a fleet to assist you. What I said was that I cannot organize a fleet at this time because of a situation here that I cannot ignore." They all looked confused about this. "What situation do you speak of?" Jacor asked her. Wingdra looked stressed about what she was about to say. Then she said it.
"The situation is a race." Everyone looked surprised again at this news. Rovax spoke to her again, with anxiety in his voice. "You mean… the race?" She nodded. "Yes Captain, the race. It will be tomorrow…" "Hold on a second." said Sly. "The reason you can't put together your fleet is because of a race?" She turned to him again and spoke with stress in her voice. "Yes, Sly Cooper. On my planet, we will hold a race that takes place every 5 years btw ourselves and our neighboring planet: Tramus.
"It involves 2 pilots from each planet, the best pilots, racing in a very difficult and dangerous course on the planet's surface. The planet alternates btw races; this year it will be on ours. The winner of the race will receive a trophy and the right to ask the planet's leader for anything they ask for. The reason for these races is because that our worlds were once in war with each other, long ago. A decision was made to stop the fighting; to hold a race every 5 years on one of our worlds to promote interplanetary cooperation. Both leaders of our worlds at the time agreed. As long as these races continue, we will be at peace with each other."
They were all amazed by this race, but Rovax looked unusually pale about it. "I am sorry about this, Sly Cooper. I realize that what you're up against is tremendous, but this race cannot be ignored. After the race is over, I will immediately put together a fleet for you in your upcoming battle." Sly and the others nodded in agreement. "We understand, Queen Wingdra. I just have two questions: First, When and where will the race take place? And second, would it be alright if my friends and I come to watch? Now that I think about it, this race sounds exciting." The bird leader thought about it and answered with a smile.
"Of course you and your companions may come and watch. It would be a way to repay you for rescuing our captain. As for the race itself, it will start around 10 am tomorrow morning and take place at the Plains of Clouds. I will explain all the details when you arrive at my fortress. You may come now if you wish." Sly told her that everyone will be there. The queen nodded and the screen went back to the picture of Dramar. Sly turned to the gang. "Well guys, guess our assault on Kanog will have to wait. Murray, take us to the planet's surface and see if you can locate the fortress: We are going to see a race!"
Shivering with excitement of the upcoming race, Murray began to take the ship to the planet's surface. Sly thought that watching an interplanetary race will do some good for everyone; they have not gotten a decent break since their original mission started. And sure enough, the whole gang looked forward to watching this race, especially Beowulf and Jacor. However, only one person was not as pleased as the others were. Sly noticed Rovax looking the other way, frowning. He decided to talk to him.
"Hey Rovax, what's got your feathers in a knot?" Rovax turned to Sly with an uncomfortable look. "Nothing." He then turned away without another word. Confused, Sly decided to leave him alone. 'Well, the queen was stressed about this race too. Maybe that is why.' Sly thought as the walked to the others. Then Rovax turned to watch Sly and the others, hearing them talk about the upcoming race. He shook his head in bitterness. 'I don't expect you to understand, Sly Cooper.' He thought to himself. 'If the Tramuran racer is who I think it is then I must not let him win, no matter what.'