Chapter 8
Lion-O sat in the control room on New Thundera hoping that if he didn't hear anything from Third Earth that that was a good sign. The control room doors opened and Lynx-O made his way over to the seat nearest the Lord of the ThunderCats.
"I sense you are nervous. Want to talk about it?" The lynx wondered.
"That obvious huh?" Lion-O tried to smile.
"It's understandable, we are between a rock and a hard place but I think that is not what is bothering you as much." Lynx-O didn't waste time beating around the bush.
"Yes old friend, you are right. I fear I just threw Panthro, Cheetara, and the ThunderKittens to the wolves." The lion admitted.
"Regretting the decision you made earlier is not uncommon for a leader to experience. One thing you have to remember Lord Lion-O is that you have earned your place as Lord and King and that none of us questions it. We would all go into hell and back with you." The oldest ThunderCat told him.
"I appreciate your loyalty and your trust but sometimes I wonder if I was really meant for this. So many lives depend on my decisions and I don't want to see people getting hurt." Lion-o said.
"You have to be confident in yourself. People will get hurt; it's unfortunate but true. Your decision is based on what you think is best. Your fellow ThunderCats would call you on it if they thought something was amiss." Lynx-O reminded him.
"You're right but if something happens to her…" the Lord of the ThunderCats couldn't finish the thought. His friend nodded and said,
"As Lord you have to make decisions with your head. You did and now your heart is wondering what you were thinking. Think good thoughts Lion-O. Cheetara and the others will be fine; they can handle Mumm-Ra and the Mutants. Ben-Gali, Tygra, and Snarfer are working on one of the smaller ships in case there is an emergency."
"Yes well, even with the technology that we have been given, an hour and a half is too long if they are in immediate danger." Lion-O told him.
On Third Earth, the control room was full of activity. Alarms sounded and the Thunder Guard responded as they had been trained. Cheetara ran into the room to check out what was going on. Panthro and the ThunderKittens weren't too far behind her.
"Captain Tiberius status report!" The cheetah commanded.
"We have two bogeys coming in at twelve o'clock high." He informed her.
"Can you identify them?" Panthro asked.
"Zoom in Corporal." Tiberius ordered. The Corporal did as he was instructed and magnified the approaching enemy.
"Mumm-Ra and Vultureman?" Cheetara couldn't believe her eyes.
"Since when does that blasted Mutant fly?" Panthro banged his fist onto the panel in front of him.
"I don't know. Pull everyone inside. Alert all outposts and New Thundera." Cheetara took command.
"Yes ma'am. Private, radio the outposts. Corporal, call New Thundera." Captain Tiberius ordered. The pumiger then picked up the phone and called outside.
"Major Lupi, I have a direct order from Cheetara to pull everyone inside immediately." There wasn't any argument from the Major as Thunder Guard members flooded back inside Cat's Lair. Major Lupi entered the control room. She was the head of the company and in this situation was directly beneath the ThunderCats in rank.
"Sir, Ma'am, what is our next course of action?" The Litah asked.
"Ready the laser cannons and Catapult." Panthro commanded. Lupi gave a curt nod and picked up the phone. She gave the orders and now all that was left to do was wait for the order to fire.
To Be Continued…