Chapter 15
"What's all the hubbub about?" Panthro asked as all the ThunderCats met in the conference room.
"Mandora made a quick call to the Control Room and sent over the report from SG-17. However, the reason for the quick call is that the scientists found a way to get the Mutants in trouble and we best be ready for what's coming," Lion-O explained.
"Great Jaga. What happened?" Tygra asked.
"Apparently one of the scientists got loose from their Mutant captors and found the nearest Evil Chaser. Needless to say, everything is being searched and as suspected weapons of the war variety have been found. She's heading over there to give us a full report but things could get ugly. You remember the last time the Space Council of Planets got on the Mutants' case?" The lion reminded them.
"You'll have to fill me in. What?" Lea asked.
"Long story short, the Mutants attempted to shoot down some incoming Evil Chasers, who were on a routine Alien Rights mission. The Evil Chasers fired back and managed to destroy a fuel depot. The following explosion killed a lot of Mutants and their cousins from the moons of Plundarr took offense. There was almost an intergalactic incident that could have led to an all-out war if not for the Council's quick action to send in the majority of the Evil Chaser Corp. Given the vast numbers of the Evil Chasers and the more advanced technology, everybody backed down. Later a full agreement was met between the Council and the Mutants but who knows if that will work this time," Lion-O quickly explained.
"It might work to our advantage however considering the Mutants are just as pissed at us as they are the Evil Chasers for what happened last year," Ben-Gali spoke up. He noted that Pumyra wasn't at the meeting and he was beginning to wonder why. After all, she needed to know this too.
"Yes but after what I just found out about SG-17 that might not matter. The planet turns out to have a very useable fuel source," Lion-O punched a few buttons on the center console and the report popped up on the screen.
"Highly flammable, toxic fumes, and is easily convertible into liquid fuel. Similar to an old fuel used by those who first travelled into space," Panthro read.
"Yes. It's a form of oil that can be converted into liquid via refinery much like Thundrillum. The problem is not that the Mutants would use it to work their vehicles but to add to bombs and create incendiary devices. The scientists taken to Plundarr would know how to convert the oil to liquid. Mandora says that according to the Evil Chasers on Plundarr, a ship, with an unknown port of origin, left the planet last night. It was only discovered because the cloaking mechanism failed as it left the planet's atmosphere. They had no way to intercept the ship because a few minutes later the scientist who had escaped reached the Evil Chasers' base. Then all heck broke loose," Lion-O told them.
"That seems too well planned doesn't it?" Lynx-O spoke up.
"My thoughts exactly," Lion-O admitted.
"So what is the next course of action?" Cheetara wanted to know.
"Given our current sabotage problem, I have decided that the investigation should continue. We've managed to narrow the field of suspects so I believe that Panthro and Lea can handle that from this end. As far as the ship that left Plundarr, I can give you three guesses, where it's heading," the lion said.
"SG-17," WilyKit and WilyKat said at the same time.
"Exactly. Now I think we need to leave the Feliner here in case Panthro and Lea need it but we should take some of the warships and head toward SG-17 to help the Evil Chasers," Lion-O told them.
"Sounds like a fantastic idea but I can't make the trip. You will need to take a different medical officer with you," Tygra said.
"Can't Pumyra take care of the patients here?" Cheetara asked, not sure she liked where this was heading.
"She is in my care until further notice. I believe that she may have the Thunderian flu. Her blood test results should be back by tomorrow afternoon. In the meantime, I want everyone in this room to take a shot of anti-viral to protect themselves and others," the tiger explained.
"I thought the Thunderian flu was wiped out before Thundera exploded," Lynx-O said.
"It seems that when the planet reformed not everything that was dead, stayed dead. There have been small numbers of Cats catching it over the last few years but the anti-virals and vaccines have largely prevented it but it's nothing to worry about. We have the cure. Unfortunately right now she's highly contagious," Tygra clarified.
"Well send her our well wishes. Let's take the anti-viral and get a move on," Lion-O ordered.
To Be Continued…