Chapter 17
The Thunderian ships landed in a clearing in the woods that bordered the space camp set up by the scientists. They exited the ships and quickly established a plan of attack. Breaking up into two groups, they descended on the camp to find Mutant footprints but no sign of a struggle. They quickly searched the temporary buildings for any sign of anyone but found none.
"Well that's odd," Cheetara commented when the groups met back up.
"They couldn't actually mine for the oil here so there must be a dig site not far away. The woods would have offered shade, food, and rain collection opportunities so it would have been an ideal place for living quarters. We should scout ahead and see if can find the dig site," Ben-Gali explained.
"Yes we definitely should. The Evil Chasers would have tried to find a place for cover. The job site however might not have allowed for that," Lion-O said.
"I worry that the Evil Chasers would be collateral damage when the Mutants find the scientists," Lynx-O pointed out.
"Agreed. Let's move out," Lion-O ordered. The groups combined into one and moved through the woods until they reached its end. There in front of them was a vast desert that offered no cover except for a few outcroppings in the distance.
"I don't like it," Ben-Gali spoke up before explaining the scene before them to Lynx-O.
"Neither do I," Lion-O shook his head.
"I'm the fastest thing we've got. Let me run to the nearest outcropping and see what I can see," Cheetara offered.
"I can't let you do that. What if there's a trap?" Lion-O asked.
"Well we didn't find any vehicles at the base camp so my guess is that they radioed from the dig site. There has to be something out there for me to find. They wouldn't make a base camp that would take three days to get to," the cheetah pointed out.
"We don't have many options. The cloud of dust she will kick up should provide her some sort of cover until she gets to the outcropping," Lynx-O offered.
"Then take some water and get to the rocks as quickly as you can. Signal us if it's safe to cross. Be careful," the lion told her as he handed her a canteen. He wished he could say more but in front of the troops he could not be so affectionate.
"When am I not careful?" She smirked and was off. They all watched as she reached the first rocks which were about a mile away. The cloud of dust disappeared and everyone held their breath, waiting to see if she signaled them via the binoculars that Lion-O had glued to his eyes.
Meanwhile, Panthro used his right foot to break down the door of the home that belonged to Che, the traitorous shift manager. The ThunderGuard announced their presence and quickly searched the home.
"Sir! In here!" Came a shout from one of the soldiers. Panthro followed the sound of the soldier's call and entered the room.
"What have you got?" The panther wanted to know.
"He's dead. Been that way for at least a few hours. Cold to the touch," the pumiger, who went by the name Nanoo, shook his head. There were no outward signs of why he had died and the panther was thinking poison.
"Sir, he has a family but they don't seem to be home," Sergeant Xalo, a liger, spoke up.
"All right. Get the crime scene guys here and get his body back to the Lair. I want everything gone over with a fine tooth comb. We need to know why he did what he did and who his original target was. This is either linked to the Mutants or he had it out for someone," Panthro ordered.
"Yes, sir," Sergeant Xalo nodded.
To Be Continued…