Ties That Bind -- Chapter 17
Just to let you know, I’m going camping next weekend and won’t be able to update until the 15th. So I hope you enjoyed the chapter and I appreciate your patience. :) Chapter 17 Needless to say that answer didn’t sit well with the group. Besides being against the Code of Thundera, there would be no way to be sure what they killed was actually their target. Massive paranoia could follow and that was a road no one wanted to travel down. “Whoa, whoa, let’s calm down.” Tygra said. From his hiding place in the ductwork, Gorlock smirked. The ThunderCats are soft and it will cost them, he said to himself. “I agree with Tygra. Let’s take a step back and calm down. The heat scan of the Lair is a good idea but we need something to ensure that Gorlock hasn’t already heard our conversation.” Lion-O spoke up. “He’s got a point but how are we going to keep our plan from this shape shifter?” Ben-Gali asked. Silence filled the room and Gorlock wondered if they could beat him at his own game. That’s when Cheetara leaned over to her husband and whispered into his ear. He listened intently and Gorlock wished he could shape shift but the size of the ductwork prevented him from doing so. “Follow me.” Lion-O said. Everyone lifted themselves from their chairs and followed their leader. Gorlock tried to follow but the council room door shut before he could get out. His only other option was back into the ductwork. Out in the hallway, everyone looked at the lion waiting for an explanation. He had stopped in his tracks and no one quite understood how standing out in the corridor was going to help the situation. “Panthro is to come with me to the control room, everyone else return to duty. I will signal when you are needed.” Lion-O kept his voice low and the ThunderCats nodded. The group dispersed leaving the lion, the panther, the lioness, and the cheetah. Lion-O nudged Panthro and started down the hall with Cheetara. The panther nodded and turned to Lea. “I know this is hard but please be patient. Can you wait in my room until I come get you?” He asked. “That’s what you said last time and look what happened. I have to keep my eyes on you panther.” Leanna’s stubborn streak was showing. Panthro smiled and wrapped his arms around her. “I know you want to get this guy but let me take care of it. You mean too much to me and I don’t want to see you get hurt.” He whispered in her ear. Pulling away from her, he saw her smile and she nodded. He was a ThunderCat and as such he a had duty to perform. She would not get in his way. “All right but if I have to come down to the sick bay again, we’re going to have a serious talk.” Lea smiled and kissed him lightly on the cheek before leaving him. Panthro watched her hips sway as she walked and he so badly wanted to follow her to his room and not come out until next week but there was work to be done. Quickly he made his way down to the control room. By the time Gorlock found the duct that led him out into the hallway the group had long dispersed. Cursing his bad luck, he flew around the long winding corridors trying to find his quarry. Fortunately he didn’t find what he was looking for, mostly because his size prevented him from triggering the automatic doors. However, if he shape shifted and someone came down the hall there would be trouble. Not physically able to take on the ThunderCats for at least another hour or so, Gorlock continued his exhausting search. In the control room, Panthro sat in the command seat and continued to run a heat scan of Cat’s Lair. Cheetara had explained her plan to him and he agreed to try it. Lion-O had reassured him that this was the best way to do things if they hoped to defeat their enemy. “I have some odd heat signatures showing up the hallway. They bounce up and down the hallway as if whatever it was wanted to get in somewhere but couldn’t.” The panther told his friends. “What size are they?” Lion-O asked. “Small, probably not much bigger than a house fly.” Panthro told him. “So it isn’t usual movement for a fly?” Cheetara wondered. “I’m no expert but no.” The panther answered. “Then I think it’s time to invite him in.” Lion-O said. With a nod, the martial arts master rose from his chair and walked to the doorway. The large automatic door slid back and Panthro stood in the middle of the entry to prevent the door from closing. “That Gorlock is pretty stupid. Thinks he can get in a fight with me and walk away. The next time I see him, I’ll teach him the meaning of pain.” Mumm-Ra’s salve heard the insult and wanted nothing more than to show the panther how wrong he was but he knew that fighting now would be dangerous. “Oh I think you can use stronger language than that old friend.” Lion-O emerged from the control room to stand behind the panther. “Like brainless, numbnut, or my personal favorite dumb shit?” Panthro wondered. “Now you’re talking.” The Lord of the ThunderCats smiled. This was enough to anger Gorlock. He shifted into his original form and appeared before the two ThunderCats. “Let us see who the idiots really are.” The dog-like creature snarled. To Be Continued…