Chapter 25
"Boris drives a hard bargain," Alexei smirked. He, President Zhukov, President Mwende, Lion-O, Cheetara, and Mandora now sat at the Conference Room table.
"I cannot act on any of this. If I let Boris go and it looks like I made a deal with the Mob and if I'm hard on him, it will look like I don't want Kostoff's killer to be caught," Zhukov shook his head.
"Then we make this easy. I promised to aid in any way that I could. I will make a deal with Kuznetsov," Mwende said.
"Not sure that would fly," Lion-O objected.
"I would agree. You making a deal with Kuznetsov might look like you're in the Mob's pocket. That would be bad for business," Mandora shook her head.
"Then I have a solution that will help everyone," Cheetara spoke up.
"Do enlighten us, your Highness," Alexei smiled.
"Well Lion-O can make a deal with Boris and then Mandora can assist. As King of New Thundera and Third Earth, he technically holds power over all who live on both planets. As of a few days ago, that would include the population of Mars," the cheetah clarified.
"I see why you chose her Lion-O. The woman is wise beyond her years," Zhukov smiled.
"It certainly wasn't the only reason," he winked at Cheetara.
"You're ok with doing this Lion-O?" Mwende asked.
"It would only serve to endear me to our guests. Since no one outside of the ThunderCats understands Boris' occupation, then I think we'll be in the clear. Even if they do understand, they know that it is not a deal I would make lightly. However, a foreign leader was killed on our soil and a such I must show not only New Thundera and Third Earth, I will not stand for such things, I must also show the galaxy," the lion explained.
"Do you always think of what the galaxy thinks?" Alexei asked.
"We must. We live in it, do business in it, and fight our enemies in it. We cannot consider anything without the ripple effects," Lion-O said.
"Another who is wise beyond his years. My grandfather who served during Earth's World War Two would be very pleased," Zhukov smiled again.
"You'll have to tell me all about him someday," the lion smiled.
"He passed long, long ago but as we Russians do not forget our past. It is what makes us now in the present," the Russian President said.
"Then perhaps you'd like to rebut Rodchenko's earlier comment about you having a spine of a wet stroganoff noodle?" Mandora smirked.
"Oh I would very much like to," Zhukov smirked.
"Consider it done. Mandora, can you round up our evidence and our killer so that we may handle things?" Lion-O asked.
"Oh I think I can manage that," she smirked. With that she stood from her seta and quickly excused herself. There was work to be done.
"Now what about the election? We were supposed to have one," Alexei pointed out.
"I will make a decree that given the unusual circumstances, I will remain in office until the opposing party is able to find another candidate and run an actual campaign," Zhukov explained.
"That is awful generous of you," Cheetara said.
"Well I must prove that I am willing to compromise. Should they be unable to mount a campaign of their own, I will retain office and select a Vice President," he said.
"Sounds good. We will deal with Council matters once everything has settled down," Mwende told him.
To Be Continued…