A/N: Sorry this took so long. Really busy at work. Anyway, I hope you enjoy it. :)
A/N2: A huge shout out to Luna de Papel. :)
Chapter 22
The Lair was on edge as the ship approached. The Catapults were ready to fire and the ground troops outside were prepared for any pods that came their way, the laser cannons pointing at the mysterious ship.
"What if they have Mutant captives again?" Basheer asked.
"We have no way of knowing. The enemy must be destroyed at all costs," Cheetara told him.
"They are our brothers and sisters!" He was extremely upset.
"The needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few! How would you like to explain to a family of Mutants or Thunderians that because we did not fire, their husband, son, brother, cousin, or uncle was killed because we hesitated? I appreciate your point but I cannot in good conscious take that risk," the cheetah explained.
"She is right, my son. It is a hard lesson to learn but as a leader you must make those decisions," Lucius spoke up. The young reptile nodded and left the room to be with his troops.
"He is young but he will understand," Lucius said.
"Let us hope so because we're about to start firing," Cheetara nodded before giving the command to fire. The troops opened up on the ship and the battle had begun. The cheetah turned to Lucius and gave a nod before racing out of the door to join up with her daughter and the troops.
"Be prepared to take prisoners! We need to know what they know!" Sahara barked at the troops as pods began to be released from the craft.
"It's as if they want to commit suicide," her second-in-command, a puma by the name of Kala, said.
"It doesn't seem to make sense I know. They have to figure that we bested the last ship so why they continue the attack," Sahara shook her head.
"Here comes the first one!" Kala shouted.
"For Thundera!" The litah commanded.
"Jaga save the King!" Someone shouted from the back. Sahara immediately recognized the voice as her mother's and the troops replied,
"And the Queen!" With that they charged into battle. Pod after pod rained down on Thunderian soil and time and again the troops took prisoners until the main ship itself finally began to list and sink lower.
"What do you think?" Kala asked as he turned to the Princess. She was being tended to by a medic due to the large laser burn on her shoulder.
"When that thing hits the ground, we have to be prepared for a full onslaught. Anyone who is left alive on board will be ready to take us on. I would take a defensive position and wait for them to come to us," Sahara said.
"A good idea. We have enough prisoners but no one higher up the food chain. This could be our opportunity," the puma smiled.
"Indeed. It has been a pleasure serving with you Kala. When this is all over you must meet my mate," the litah smiled back.
"It would be an honor," he bowed slightly and then turned to the troops. They had lost some good Thunderians but there were still enough of them to do battle. They were about to line up when a white flag could be seen waving from the ship as it slowly crashed to the earth. It was incredible that the ship had such a soft landing but it did have a slower descend than its sister. The order to cease fire had been given and Sahara looked for her mother. The cheetah came over with a puzzled look on her face.
"I do not like this your Majesties," Kala said.
"I don't either but we cannot fire upon them. I will meet them with Sahara. Kala prepare the troops for immediate action, if need be," Cheetara shook her head.
"Yes ma'am!" He quickly turned to the troops and the two females headed out to the ship. The door came down and out walked what they could only assume was a cousin of Luna, except she was not the small one that depended on Amok. She stood at six foot tall and she was imposing.
"I challenge the Lord of the ThunderCats to come out and fight me!" An odd request for someone who had been waving a white flag.
"You have no say in this matter. You have surrendered!" Cheetara told her. The large Luna pulled out a laser blaster and fired near the Queen.
"I see him or I kill you. Either way I will get what I want," the Lunatac smirked, her blaster leveled at the Queen.
"I suggest you put that down before I use the Sword on your sorry ass," Sahara stepped forward and the Lunatac looked at her.
"You?" She laughed.
"It's on now, bitch," with that Sahara took off running toward the woman.
To Be Continued…