Melissa: Hmm, who to get to introduce the story..?  Tug-Mug?

Tug-Mug: Look, eef thees ees about thee salsa stains on thee ceileeng...

Melissa: Just introduce the story... Salsa stains?

Tug-Mug: Oops. [Wheels out, chased by Melissa.]

 

Third Earth Is Not Enough

 

      Psychro slammed a blue fist on the table, earning him a glare from Luna and a threatening growl from Amok.  "No, I won't let you do this!  I knew that as soon as you learned of Psikaris' powers you'd send her on spy missions!"

 

      "Please, Psychro..." started Psikaris, trying to placate her twin.  Psikaris' powers were a rare type of telekinesis.  Cellular-level telekinesis.  In layman's terms, the woman could shapeshift herself and even others.

 

      "Oh, like it's so dangerous," snapped Luna.  "All she has to do is break into the Thundercats' computer and send back spaceship designs."

 

      "And if she's caught?" demanded Psychro.

 

      Luna rolled her eyes.  "Then we rescue her.  Besides, the cats won't do anything to her."

 

      Psikaris knew that one way or another, Luna would get her way.  She just didn't want Psychro to get pounded by Amok.  "Psychro, it's not dangerous.  Besides, this may be our only chance to return to the Moons."

 

      "This plan had better work better than every other plan you've screwed up, Luna," snarled Psychro.

 

* * *

 

      "A snow tiger would probably be easiest."  Psikaris was leaning on her dresser, nose almost pressed to the glass of the mirror.

 

      Psychro glared at Psikaris, though his anger wasn't directed at her.  "This is stupid.  We should know by now that all of Luna's plans are bunk."

 

      She turned from the mirror.  "Oh, so now you say we shouldn't go along with Luna's schemes.  You seemed quite content to obey her two months ago."

 

      The ice hybrid sighed.  While Luna wore her grandmother's belt, it allowed the spirit of Queen Luna to possess her.  But total possession would take time, time that Queen Luna decided to buy by getting pregnant.  Without the belt, tiny and crippled, Luna wouldn't survive childbirth.  But Queen Luna didn't know that Psikaris' power could stretch to others, and possibly save Luna's life in another eight months.  The magic belt was subsequently destroyed, and Queen Luna's spirit along with it.

 

      The reason for this recap?  Psychro was the father.

 

      And now Psikaris was barely speaking to him.  Psychro shook his head, "Look, 'Karis, we've been over this..."

 

      "I knew you were a bit... promiscuous back home, but getting a woman you can barely stand pregnant?"  Psikaris turned back to the mirror.  "Maybe I should disguise my voice, too.  I've spoken to Tygra before; he might recognize me."

 

      "Luna and I get along fine.  We have our disagreements, yes..."  Psychro was cut off by his sister's icy glare, a look that practically screamed 'you don't understand'.  So that was it.  It wasn't that he had slept with Luna, it was because he didn't love her and slept with her anyway.  He sighed again.  Psikaris was a brilliant engineer, but also an incurable romantic.  "If you need me, I'll be in the control room."

 

      "Whatever."  She didn't even turn around.

 

* * *

 

      Two days later, Skytomb landed in the Berbil village.

 

      Tug-Mug liked attacking Berbils.  They ran around, waving their arms humorously when scared, and crunched in a satisfying manner when he landed on them.  They were excellent workers and easily controlled.  If one broke, it could be used for parts.  They were the perfect slaves.  Plus, they had invented candyfruit jelly.

 

      Knave was also enjoying himself.  It had been too long since he had last been in a fight, and while Berbil-beating wasn't much, it was better than nothing.  If they were lucky, some Thundercats would show up and he'd get some real action.

 

      Chilla thought this was stupid.  While Berbil slaves had their advantages over brutemen, more of them were needed because they weren't as strong.  And brutemen were easy to come by; for Berbils they had to venture out of Darkside.  And at the first sign of trouble, the Thundercats were sure to show up.  Worst, they had those annoying voices.  Maybe Alluro or Psikaris could remove their voice-chips first...

 

      Alluro, usually not much for fighting, was only part of the raiding party to test out his new invention.  It was a type of laser rifle, designed to short out electrically-run things.  A few Berbils out of commission wouldn't matter; there were plenty to go around.

 

      They had almost finished collecting the Berbils when Alluro looked up.  "Chilla!  Tug-Mug!  Knave!  It's the Thunderstrike!"  Sure enough, the vehicle landed, and Bengali and Pumyra jumped out.  Lynx-O took the craft back to the air.

 

      "Knave and I will handle the Thundercats," said Chilla, jumping aside as the Thunderstrike took a shot at her.  "You and Tug-Mug get the Berbils into Skytomb."

 

      Knave immediately pounced on Bengali.  For some reason, the snow tiger had always been his favourite target.  He spat ice, but Bengali dodged it, countering with a bolt from the Hammer of Thundera.

 

      After a few minutes, Alluro realized what was happening.  "Chilla, Knave, they're luring you away from Skytomb!"  If the half-siblings left the rocky cover of the fortress, Lynx-O and the Thunderstrike would have a chance of picking them off.

 

      Apparently Knave heard, and danced back a few steps, forcing his opponent to come nearer.  But Chilla was farther away, and too intent on icing Pumyra to hear.  Laserfire strafed the ground beside the ice woman, causing her to stumble.  Pumyra used those few seconds to hurl a marble.  Off guard, the pellet caught Chilla in the midsection, the explosion knocking her down and stunning her.

 

      "Chilla!" Knave and Alluro called at the same time.  Knave spat a last breath of ice at Bengali ( and missed ), and took off after Pumyra.

 

      "That idiot is going to get himself caught," said Alluro, exasperated.

 

      "Thee last of thee Berbeells have been loaded," reported Tug-Mug.  "I'll take care of Bengali, you help Knave weeth Pumeera."

 

      Alluro was about to protest, but Tug-Mug had already wheeled off.  Knave and Pumyra were about twenty feet away from the edge of Skytomb's outcropping, chasing around in a high-speed dance.  Hopefully, the puma was close enough to hear him.  He was about to cast the psyche club...

 

      ... When the ground exploded nearby, throwing him.  Alluro rolled as he hit the ground, in time to watch the Thunderstrike pull up from its run.  He scowled, then brought his electronic disruptor up in line with the ship.  He wasn't sure of the weapon's range, but was rewarded by the Thunderstrike losing control.  It must have shorted out the Braille Board, he thought.  Good for me.  Distractions gone, he cast the psyche club, bathing the puma in its glow.  "Give up, Pumyra," he said, turning on the charm, "You know you can't win.  Just give in now."

 

      "No!  Pumyra!"  Bengali jumped over Tug-Mug and fired at Alluro.  The sandweller staggered when the bolt hit him, disrupting his concentration and causing the psyche crystal to drop.

 

      However, instead of hitting the ground and shattering, Knave caught the crystal, and promptly threw it at Pumyra.  It caught her in the back of the head, knocking her out cold.  The ice cheetah picked up the surprisingly undamaged psyche crystal with a rasping chuckle.  "Looks like the dumb thing is good for something after all."  He tossed Pumyra over his shoulder and the crystal back at Alluro.  Obediently the crystal floated back and re-attached itself to the psyche club.

 

      Bengali 'rrowl'ed in frustration when the beam from the gravity carbine hit him, whisking him several feet in the air.  Tug-Mug was about to hit him with the increased-gravity effect, when Knave's annoyed shout stopped him.  "Forget about him!  It's the Thunderclaw and Hovercat!  They must have picked up on Skytomb."

 

      "The others won't be far behind," said Alluro, picking up Chilla.  "We have what we came for."

 

      "And more," chuckled Tug-Mug, indicating Pumyra.  With that, the Lunatacs fled.

 

* * *

 

      "It was a slave raid," Bengali explained to Lion-O and Cheetara.  Tygra had taken the Thunderclaw to where the Thunderstrike had landed.  Cheetara had been with the tiger, but ran to join the others in the Berbil village to report that Lynx-O was fine and Tygra was repairing the Thunderstrike.  "About half the Berbils were taken," the snow tiger continued, "And several destroyed."

 

      "Those Lunatacs have no respect for life," said Lion-O.

 

      "They respect their own plenty," said Bengali dryly.  "They turned tail as soon as reinforcements showed up.  But they've taken Pumyra."

 

      "Even if Tygra can fix the Thunderstrike, that won't be enough transportation to get the Lunatacs' captives out of Darkside," Cheetara pointed out.

 

      Lion-O nodded.  "I'll use the radio in the Hovercat to call Panthro."

 

* * *

 

      Mystan looked up from his monitors.  "Luna, the infra-red cameras in the Forest of Mist are picking up two vehicles; the Thundertank and the Thunderstrike.  Shall I activate the defences?"  Unbeknownst to the Thundercats, the Lunatacs had months ago set up a security system in the Canyons of Darkside.  Well, Red-Eye had set it up; the others wouldn't have been any use in the mists and darkness.  It was also untested.

 

      "No, Mystan.  We want them to come to us, remember?" Luna said.  "We'll wait until we don't want company to test our little system.  We wouldn't want to give anything away."

 

      "Of course not, Luna.  What is the plan?"

 

      Luna tapped her riding crop against her hand, thoughtfully.  "We've captured their friend.  We should be expecting them.  We'll put up a fight, but we'll lose."  She sighed.  "We always lose."  At that moment, the alarms went off; Skytomb's sensors picked up on the Thunderstrike.  "Battle stations!" Luna hollered into the intercom, "We're under attack!"

 

* * *

 

      Chilla was waiting in Skytomb's elevator for the intruders.  However, she did not expect to find herself staring down the Thundertank's 'mouth' laser.  Panthro used the ice woman's few seconds of surprise to douse her in knockout gas.  Then he and Tygra left the tank outside, taking the elevator to meet the others from the Thunderstrike in the hangar.

 

      "Careful now.  Keep to the sides of the corridors.  They've got trap-doors scattered randomly in the halls."  Lion-O was walking down the right side of the passage, Sword of Omens drawn.  Bengali and Panthro followed him.  On the other side of the corridor were Cheetara and Tygra.  Lynx-O stayed back with the vehicles.

 

      "Rrowl, they can change the hallways down here," said Bengali.  "They'll try to split us up."  The snow tiger spoke from experience.  Months ago, he and Pumyra were captured in that way while trying to rescue Cheetara.

 

      "We'll watch for th... the danger signal!" Lion-O started, as a blue-and-white blur tore past the group, then stopped and turned about ten feet ahead.  "Knave!"

 

      The ice Lunatac/cheetah hybrid bowed, then proceeded to spit a sheet of ice at the cats.  Most jumped out of the way in time, but Tygra's leg got partially frozen.  Then Knave turned and continued down the hall.

 

      "Should I follow him?" asked Cheetara, while Lion-O used the sword to thaw the ice on Tygra.

 

      The lion shook his head.  "Like Bengali said, we shouldn't split up.  And he can't really warn them; they already know we're here."

 

      "We should keep moving, though," Cheetara replied.  "He could still tell where in the Skytomb we are."  The precaution seemed sensible, so the Thundercats continued down the hall.

 

      Tygra said, "How are we supposed to find Pumyra in this maze, especially if they can change the corridors?  Panthro, if we found some sort of access terminal, could you find a map?"

 

      "Probably," replied the panther.  "And I could probably blow out a few power relays while I was at it.  Cause a distraction and keep the Lunatacs from moving the halls on us."

 

      Lion-O considered that.  "It's a good idea.  Much as I'd rather the group stay together, it would make more sense for you two to implement this plan, while Cheetara, Bengali, and I keep searching."

 

      "Ho!" the group cried, before splitting up.

 

* * *

 

      Alluro swung his feet off the console when it beeped out a warning.  Who was on duty in the furnace room? he thought, calling up the video feed.  His question was answered.  Tug-Mug had been on duty.  Currently, the graviton was trussed up in a chain, hanging from the ceiling, and looking extremely angry.  Tygra was looking warily around, bola whip at the ready.  Worse, Panthro was at the control console.  Alluro sighed.  Panthro was like a bad-luck charm.  Every time he was loose in the Skytomb, something exploded.

 

      The psychic checked his monitors; Mystan was the closest to the furnace room.  He signalled the telekinetic, then set about trying to figure out what system Panthro was trying to break into.  After a minute, he found it.  Door override.  He was going to open all the doors at once.  Which would probably overwhelm the system and cause something to explode.  "Oh, no you don't," muttered the hypnotist, trying to reroute the program so it couldn't be accessed from the furnace room.

 

* * *

 

      Tygra jumped back in surprise as the chain unwound from Tug-Mug and lashed out at him.  Tug-Mug landed heavily, quickly recovering his 'footing'.  The gravity carbine wasn't anywhere he could see, so he leapt up to the control deck to deal with the cats physically.  Panthro looked over and reached for his nunchakus, but Tygra called, "I'll deal with Tug-Mug.  You keep working."  As he lashed out with his bola whip, he heard the light sound of another person landing on the deck behind him.

 

      The tiger cried out in surprise as his whip altered course, turning back on him.  It then proceeded to wrap around his body, tying him up.  He looked over his shoulder, into the mocking yellow eyes of Mystan.  "How nice that you cats have weapons that can be used against you," smiled the Lunatac.

 

      "Or for me," replied Tygra.  "Now you see me, now you don't."  There was a rush of air as the now-invisible tiger jumped away.

 

      "Meestan, you eediot," Tug-Mug snapped, looking around wildly.

 

      "Deal with it," snarled the sandweller.  Then turning, he directed his thoughts towards Panthro, pulling him away from the console.  "We just need to buy Alluro some ti..."  Mystan's orders were cut off by his angry shout when the bola whip wrapped around him.  Ten feet away, Tygra faded back into existence.  His concentration shattered, Mystan's telekinetic lock on Panthro was dissolved.

 

      Mystan was struggling with the whip, trying to untangle himself.  For his part, Tug-Mug launched himself at Panthro.  But the panther was too fast.  He snapped out his nunchakus, and an energy blast caught Tug-Mug in mid-leap.  The graviton fell to the ground.

 

      Panthro snatched up the chain with one hand and Mystan's arm with the other.  Tygra released the telekinetic, but he had no time to escape.  In seconds, Panthro had him and Tug-Mug tied back-to-back.  Then he welded the chain ends together so Mystan couldn't untie them, then doused the Lunatacs in sleep-gas so they couldn't cause any other trouble.  Then he got back to work.

 

* * *

 

      "No, no, no!" Alluro snarled, pounding his console in frustration.  He had used the time Mystan and Tug-Mug bought him to re-route the door control system, but it seemed the panther had other tricks up his non-existent sleeves.  He could still cause a power black-out, which would be almost as bad.  Now Alluro was faced with a choice; try to re-program faster than Panthro, or try to thrall the two cats over the intercom.  Audio-only was difficult, plus he couldn't program and hypnotise at the same time.

 

      He switched on the intercom.  "Panthro, Tygra, welcome to Skytomb.  You're off your turf, Thundercats.  All alone and outnumbered in the enemy base.  Give up now.  You have no choice..."

 

* * *

 

      "... Give up now.  You have no choice.  You have no chance against us.  No chance at all..."

 

      Tygra tried to cover his ears to block out the worst of the hypnotic attack, but Panthro was not so lucky.  His hands dropped to his sides.  "We're outnumbered.  There's no chance."

 

      "Snap out of it, Panthro!" Tygra ordered, though the demand fell on now selectively-deaf ears.  Thinking quickly, Tygra looked around the room for the intercom.  He could destroy it with a fireball from his bola whip, but he'd have to take his hands from his ears for a few seconds.  He would have to resist...

 

* * *

 

      "Dammit!" Alluro shouted as the intercom and surveillance camera were engulfed by flames.  His hands flew over the keyboard, trying to anticipate Panthro's next move.  Without the video feed, he lost the advantage of being able to look over the panther's shoulder.

 

      An exasperated breath hissed between his teeth.  He knew Luna wanted the cats to win.  But he couldn't stand the thought of deliberately losing.  Panthro would probably get whatever it was he wanted done anyway, and fighting would just mean more mess to clean up later.  With a long sigh and a great effort of will, Alluro took his hands from the keyboard.

 

* * *

 

      "Freeze, cats!"  The order was punctuated by an icy blast.  However, it was enough warning for the three to escape an icing.  The ice/psi Lunatac, Psychro, stood in the hall behind them, looking completely unperturbed by the fact he was outnumbered.  "Come on, give up.  You don't stand a chance."

 

      The voice held no thrall whatsoever.  Lion-O raised an eyebrow.  "You're no Alluro, Lunatac."

 

      Psychro grinned.  "Thank Yerith for small favours, eh?" he said, sending a fireball at the Thundercats.  Lion-O countered with a blast from the Sword of Omens.  The energies met in mid-air and cancelled out.

 

      "I'll deal with this one and catch up.  You two keep looking for Pumyra," Lion-O said to Cheetara and Bengali.  They took off down the hall.  Aiming the Sword again at Psychro, the lion let loose a flame-blast of his own.

 

      The hybrid staggered a bit under the assault, but stood his ground.  Ice Lunatac physiology had a defence against heat; it could be stored and later released as a fireball.  In theory, he could withstand the Sword's flames.  He just had to keep channelling out the heat.  But it took too much concentration to remain standing to aim it back at the lion.

 

      Lion-O was surprised that the Lunatac hadn't fallen, and more surprised by the amount of heat coming off of him.  When the closest wall started to melt, Lion-O switched the Sword off in a hurry.

 

      Unfortunately for Psychro, while only slightly warm, he had used all his energy to keep from overheating.  He took a step towards Lion-O, then promptly sank to the deck.

 

      Lion-O caught up to Bengali and Cheetara a few minutes later.  It was about then that the lights flickered and died.  "Panthro must have cut the power," said Cheetara.  A few seconds later, the emergency lighting kicked in; dim to a Lunatac, but more than enough for the Thundercats' feline eyes.

 

      A Sight Beyond Sight and fifteen minutes later, the three cats found the dungeons.  There were no guards; apparently all the Lunatacs were running around doing repairs.  "Hang on, Pumyra," said Lion-O.  Then looking at the lock said, "Think that hammer of yours can break it, Bengali?"

 

      Bengali grinned, glad to be of service.  "No sweat."  The Hammer of Thundera easily smashed the lock.

 

      "Go find Panthro and Tygra," Lion-O told Cheetara, "And get back to the vehicles."

 

      Cheetara took off down the hall, leaving Lion-O's group to rescue the Berbils.

 

* * *

 

      It was ten minutes later.  The cats had gone, taking the Lunatacs' slaves and prisoners, and leaving behind a mess.  With the others busy trying to get power back on line, it was up to Luna and Amok to rescue Mystan and Tug-Mug.  Alluro had said they were chained up in the furnace room, so that's where Amok carried his tiny mistress.

 

      Luna snickered at the predicament of her subordinates.  By now, both were awake.  Mystan glared at her, and Tug-Mug would have too, if he could turn enough to do so.  Luna smirked.  "If it isn't my two most rumour-happy Lunatacs.  All chained up.  Your kinky little game go awry?"

 

      "Panthro tied us up and you know eet," snapped Tug-Mug.

 

      "Ooh, you got Panthro in on it, too?" Luna squealed.  "And in the furnace room.  Couldn't even keep it in your quarters?"

 

      "Just get us out of here, Luna," sighed Mystan.  "Being chained to Tug-Mug is not my idea of a good time."

 

      "Oh, we'll rescue you in a minute," she said, holding up a small item.  "But first things first."

 

      Mystan's eyes widened before narrowing.  "Luna, don't you dare..."

 

      >click!<

 

      "Page one," said Luna, holding up her camera.  "Now, Amok, ready with the bolt-cutters?.."

 

* * *

 

      A few, generally quiet days later...

 

      "Pumyra?  Could you spare a moment?"

 

      The puma turned at the voice.  "Lynx-O," she said, turning from her computer screen, "What can I do for you?"

 

      Lynx-O took a deep breath, aware that he could be putting himself in great danger.  "I know what you are.  The ice Lunatac girl.  I don't know how you tricked the others, but I know your voice."  Before she could respond, he waved his hand dismissively.  "Your voice is disguised; I know.  That's why it took so long to figure out who you are.  There are certain inflections... but never mind."

 

      "I have no intention of harming any of the Thundercats and I've had no access to any security or otherwise restricted files."

 

      "Then why are you here?"

 

      The false Pumyra - he never learned her real name - drew in a shuddering breath before harmlessly releasing it.  "It wasn't my idea.  Luna made me do it, and I can't refuse Luna.  Will you report me to the others?"

 

      "I must, yes."

 

      That was all Pumyra neé Psikaris needed to know.  It meant that Lynx-O acted without alerting the others of his suspicions.  Before the old man could react, a tan hand lashed out with more force than Pumyra could ever wield, knocking him out.  She couldn't use her ice-breath, not having the ability to thaw it.  Besides, the lynx would have been ready for an attack like that.

 

      Quickly she locked the door, then called up her secure channel.  "Alluro, it's Psikaris.  I need help!"

 

      The hypnotist's voice filtered over the intercom.  "Why?  What's wrong?"

 

      "Lynx-O recognized me.  I need you to convince him I'm legit," she explained quickly.  "I've got him unconscious here."

 

      There was a pause as Alluro thought about this.  "He will be groggy when he wakes, making him more open to suggestion.  Wake him."

 

      Psikaris breathed gently on the old man's face, not wanting him to return to his full senses.  When his eyes started to open, she said, "Now!"

 

      Alluro's voice nearly dripped over the connection: "Lynx-O, you are under my command and will believe all that I say.  Pumyra is the same woman she always was.  You've been working too hard, Lynx-O, coming up with these paranoid theories.  Pumyra is perfectly fine..."  The mental assault went on for several minutes, until Psikaris signalled that it seemed to be enough.

 

      Switching off the intercom, Pumyra helped the lynx to his feet.  Using the after-effects of Alluro's thrall, she said, "That was a nasty fall you took!  Are you all right?"

 

      Lynx-O shook his head.  "I... I should be."  He winced, then rubbed his head.

 

      "You must have hit it on the floor," said Pumyra, the picture of concern.  "Would you like me to help you to the medical facility?"

 

      "No; I'll be fine."  The lynx left.

 

      Psikaris waited for him to leave, then locked the door.  This complicated things.  Lynx-O figured out her identity once; eventually Alluro's spell would wear off and the old man might do it again.  If the Mutants decided to attack and she was sent out, she'd be discovered because she couldn't fight.  And if that weren't enough, that Bengali character seemed to be her boyfriend, and she really didn't want to have to deal with that.  So her time was short.  But she had a plan.  It was a bit of a long-shot and she couldn't really trust it, but it just might work.

 

      She disconnected one computer from the Tower's network, then slipped a data card in and activated it.  A line appeared on the screen: ++Hello, Psikaris.++

 

      She typed: Hi, Asimov.  I've got a job for you, but you must obey my every instruction.  Asimov was an AI program, originally designed to cut down on the need for monitoring duty.  Some tampering by Tug-Mug, however, turned him into a 24-hour secret agent, using Skytomb's security cameras to take embarrassing shots of the crew.  Asimov was duly removed from Skytomb's computer, no longer of any practical use.  Until now.  Tug-Mug's tampering made Asimov the perfect spy, and one who was all too pleased to be of service.

 

      ++I always obey my instructions.++

 

      The puma smiled.  Her wayward program seemed almost insulted.  I need you to break into the Tower of Omens' secure files dealing with Faster-Than-Light ships and their design.  You must do this subtly, so that no one knows you're doing it.  Then use my secure channel to transmit the designs to Skytomb.  You WILL NOT do ANYTHING else but this.  Do you understand?

 

      ++I understand.++

 

      With that, Psikaris plugged the computer back into the network.  Her only worry was that Lynx-O's braille board would pick up on Asimov's tampering.  But with any luck, the lynx would be dealing with a headache, not his duties.

 

* * *

 

      Because of the subtlety required, it took Asimov several hours to do as Psikaris asked.  In Skytomb, Mystan's normally placid face broke into a wide grin as he skimmed over the transmission of technical documents from the Tower of Omens.  "Luna, she's done it!" he practically shouted into the intercom.  "We're going home!"

 

      After the blueprints finished transmitting, pseudo-Pumyra's voice came over the channel, "Now how do I get out of here?"

 

      "Simplicity itself," smiled Mystan.  "Get captured, and be quick about it."

 

* * *

 

      That is easily the stupidest plan I've ever heard, thought Psikaris, annoyed.  "Get captured."  Just who does Mystan think he is?  Still grumbling, Psikaris carefully recalled Asimov to his data card.  She didn't need to check if he left any traces in the Tower's computer; she knew he covered his own tracks.  There would be no sign of the file duplication or transmission.

 

      The next problem was how to get caught.  She supposed she shouldn't make it too obvious, not like spitting ice or anything.  Something else would have to give it away.

 

      Within minutes she had her answer.  Opening her secure channel, she placed another call.

 

* * *

 

      Half an hour later, Bengali burst into the room.  "The Berbil Village is under attack!"

 

      "The Lunatacs again?" Pumyra asked, worried.

 

      "No.  Mutants this time.  Come on!"

 

      The puma hesitated.  "The Lair is closer to the village.  We'll never make it in time."

 

      "The kittens are the only ones at the lair, the others are off visiting New Thundera again," Bengali explained.  "Come on.  Lynx-O's waiting in the Thunderstrike."

 

* * *

 

      For the life of them, the Berbils couldn't figure out why every couple of days they were subject to a raid.  They were harmless.  They were peaceful.  They kept their noses out of everyone else's business.  Yet the Mutants liked nothing better than to strafe their homes and the Lunatacs kept kidnapping them to mine Thundrillium.

 

      Today it was the Mutants again, two Skycutters and the Nosediver, strafing the village.  Over the noise of destruction, the mechanical bears could hear the Plundarrans' fearsome warcries: "Hoo hoo!", "Nyah hah hah!", and "The loser has to buy the beer, yesss?"

 

      Suddenly Jackelman yelled, "Nyaaah!  Look out!  It's the Thunderstrike!"  The Mutant vehicles scattered as laserfire lanced past them.

 

      "Continue the attack!" ordered Slythe.  "If we retreat, Luna will have us mining Thundrillium!"

 

      Despite their best efforts, the Mutant vehicles were easily shot down by the Thunderstrike.  The small ship landed and the three Thundercats jumped out.  "It's even odds," Bengali announced.  "We can catch those lousy Mutants."  He drew his hammer and took off after Monkian.  Lynx-O and Pumyra shrugged and split up.

 

      Pumyra neé Psikaris warily walked into a copse of trees.  This wasn't how she planned it.  It was to be an open-area fight, where the two Thundercats could see her obvious lack of skill with her lariat.  She didn't actually want to expose herself to physical danger.  Just as she was thinking that, something caught her on the side of the head, and she sank unconscious to the ground.

 

      Jackelman was a creature who lived by fear.  He was afraid of the Thundercats.  However, he was even more afraid of what Slythe and Luna would do to him if he screwed up.  So when the Thunderfemale stepped out of the underbrush, he hit her with a big stick.  Much to his relief, she fell.

 

      However, she twisted as she fell, her hair and body lengthening, tan changing to a water-blue, the white streaks through her hair spreading until what lay collapsed at his feet was not a Thundercat, but a Lunatac.

 

      A voice from the tree above him said, "Hoo hoo, we're screwed."

 

      "Nyah, nobody saw me do it," said Jackelman desperately as Monkian swung down from his perch.  "That's it.  She just tripped.  That's it.  Yeah."  The Mutants always put a great deal of effort into staying on the Lunatacs' collective good side, under pain of extreme pain.

 

      "Nobody saw what?"

 

      Nerves already taut, both Jackelman and Monkian yelped and took off at Bengali's voice behind them.  However, with the two Mutants out of the way, he could see just what was collapsed on the ground.

 

* * *

 

      Lynx-O stood patiently in the control room of the Tower of Omens while Bengali paced.  The Lunatac girl was awake, not talking, and locked in the brig.  "They must have switched her on us when we rescued Pumyra a few days ago," said Lynx-O.

 

      "Rrowl, the others won't be back from New Thundera for days.  We can't just leave Pumyra..."

 

      "And the two of us cannot take on Skytomb," finished the lynx.  "But perhaps we can trade our prisoners."

 

      "You know the Lunatacs," snapped Bengali.  "They'll just keep Pumyra out of spite.  Worse, Skytomb might attempt to rescue her.  We'd be outmatched."

 

      The lynx shook his head.  "The Lunatacs' only working vehicle right now is Skytomb.  They won't risk it in a firefight with the Tower.  And if our captive is important somehow..."

 

      "Our captive is the Mystery Lunatac," Bengali pointed out.  "We know that only four crashed in that ship those months ago, and we've fought Knave, Psychro, and Mystan before.  But the girl... we don't even know her name.  Tygra saw her once; that's the only reason we recognised her as the fourth member of Mystan's crew."

 

      "We've fought the others," said Lynx-O, "Perhaps because our captive is not a warrior.  Because of that, Luna would have to have a good reason for keeping her."

 

      Bengali growled.  "Oh, fine.  We'll try it your way."

 

      Lynx-O's hands moved across the Braille Board, opening a channel to Skytomb.  After a few seconds, Luna's visage appeared on the screen.  "What do you want, cat?"

 

      "We currently have in our brig someone that might belong to you."

 

      "I told you so."  The comment didn't come from Luna, but from a voice somewhere behind her.  The male ice hybrid, Psychro, stood up.  "I told you this wouldn't work, but no-o-o, the Goblin Queen's always right."

 

      Thundercats forgotten, Luna turned with a howl of fury.  "Insolent fool!  My plans would work, if you incompetents didn't keep screwing them up!"

 

      "Don't forget, you screw up just fine on your own, Luna."

 

      "EEEE-YAAH!  GET HIM, AMOK!"

 

      Mystan chose that moment to walk over from his station and say a calm, "One moment, please," before switching off the connection.

 

      "We've been put on hold."  Bengali shook his head in stunned amazement as the Lunatacs fought amongst themselves.  No wonder they never got anything done.

 

      It was several minutes before the Lunatac control room again came into view.  There were a few changes, the most obvious being Luna perched on Mystan's shoulder.  Amok was in the background, pinning Psychro's arms to his sides in a crushing bear hug.  Luna said, continuing their conversation, "What of it?"

 

      "If we have your Lunatac, it means you still have Pumyra," said Lynx-O.  "We will give you your crewmember in exchange for her."

 

      Luna considered that a moment.  "Why would we want to do that?"

 

      "Because I'll ice you when you least suspect it if you don't," came the snarl from the background.

 

      The Lunatac princess shot a glare over her shoulder, then returned her attention to the screen.  "Oh, fine.  I might as well.  I'd rather not have to put up with his whining."  She sighed.  "We'll be there shortly.  Do not double-cross us."

 

* * *

 

      Mystan clicked the connection off, then walked back towards Amok.  At Luna's signal, the great beast let Psychro go.  Mystan put the tiny princess back in her accustomed seat, then turned to the hybrid.  "Very nice job on making the cats think we're absolutely desperate to get Psikaris back."

 

      Psychro glared at Luna.  "I meant all of it."  Luna ignored him.

 

      "Even so, nice emoting.  Care to set a course to the Tower?"

 

      Cursing Mystan, Luna, Thundercats, and the cosmos in general, Psychro set to work.

 

* * *

 

      After a brief stop in the control room to find her twin, Psikaris' next stop was her lab.  Despite being the one who found them, she hadn't had a chance to look at the stolen Thundercat ship designs.  Psychro noted with some annoyance that her eyes lit up more when she reached her lab than when she saw him.  Perhaps her reaction was because she felt more at home in the lab than in the control room, or maybe it was because Alluro was already in there.

 

      Alluro flashed Psikaris a triumphant smile.  "You did it.  Good work."

 

      "Now the hard part.  We still have to put it together," Psikaris reminded him.

 

      "We still have the Zlam-Queen spread out on the hangar floor.  We can use it for parts," Alluro said, swinging his feet off the console.  "And we always have plenty of brutemen for manual labour."