Chapter 22
Later that night, the ship heading from Mars to New Thundera landed with little fanfare. The Evil Chaser team quickly headed down to the crime lab to test the evidence. Mandora escorted them there and Lion-O went about getting President Mwende set up in his office. At first the President refused to take the King's office but Lion-O told him it was a safe place to meet with Council Members and he could make private, secure calls from it. Mwende relented and thanked the lion for his help once again. The lion left the President to make some phone calls and went to find his sister.
"Lion-O," Lea smiled and pulled him in for a hug as he walked into the Control Room.
"How's things?" He asked.
"Well we've got surveillance on our suspect and that's all we can do right now. Kostoff's condition is being held closely. No formal announcement by his replacement will be made until tomorrow. We don't really want to say anything but the longer we try to hold off the harder it will be to keep everyone quiet," she sighed.
"Understandable. Mwende wants to inform the Council members first anyway. Once he does that, we can do what we have to do," Lion-O said.
"Well Tygra said, he should make the announcement and I told him I should because this happened on my watch. He's not backing down since technically Kostoff is his patient," Lea explained.
"I'll talk to him. If anyone should be making the announcement, it should be Kostoff's replacement. In their time of need, the Russian people have to know that their government is still intact. Once I speak to Tygra, I'll speak to Mwende and see how he feels. I appreciate you keeping things together while Tara and I were off planet," he smiled.
"I'm not sure I did that," she gave him a look.
"What happened to Kostoff was already in the works long before Mars was evacuated. None of this is anyone's fault except those that planned it," Lion-O pointed out. Lea nodded but she didn't feel any better. The Control Room doors opened and in walked Cheetara.
"The kids were glad to see me but they're asking for their daddy," she smiled.
"Duty calls," he gave Lea a wink and Cheetara a quick kiss before headed out of the door. Lea watched him go and then turned her focus to her best friend.
"You have to be exhausted," the lioness said.
"Hard to sleep when you're not sure if the ground will stop moving under your feet. Needless to say, I'm glad to be home," the cheetah admitted before giving her a hug.
"Glad to have you back. The kids missed you something terrible and the whole Teddy incident didn't help," Lea shook her head.
"Well Sahara showed me Teddy as soon as I walked in the room. She said that Auntie Lea was her hero for saving her best friend," Cheetara smiled.
"Good to know I'm her favorite aunt," Lea chuckled.
"Oh you are in good now, sister. Has Panthro come to talk to you?" The cheetah asked.
"Not yet. He called up here and said that he and Ben wanted to go over the Feliner. She was apparently over capacity on your trip home and he's hoping there was no serious damage done to her," the lioness explained. Cheetara was about to say something when Li-en called from the main switchboard.
"Mandora needs Lion-O down at the crime lab," he said.
"Good to see you back at the helm, Li-en. I'll get him and we'll head over there. Give Cavan and the kids my best," the cheetah smiled.
"Will do," he smiled back and then Cheetara took off with her trademark speed to find her husband.
To Be Continued…