6--The Meeting, Ch.3

March 29.

Sky Tomb, near the Northern Light-Year Limit, Limbo.

ack in the control room, the Silver Hawks were still holding off the Luna‑tacks. Steelheart had taken Tug‑mug’s Gravity Carbine and restored Steelwill to his normal weight. “I’ll hold back these monsters,” said Bluegrass. “You free the Thunder Cats trapped in this stinky place.”

“Good idea,” said Steelheart. “Come on, guys.”

Lion‑O and the Silver Hawks soon arrived in the brig. The area was too large for the group to see the captured Thunder Cats right away. “Thunder Cats, can you hear me?” Lion‑O called.

“Lion‑O,” exclaimed Bengali. “Is it you? We’re over here.”

“What are you doing here?” asked Lynx‑O.

“Saving you,” Lion‑O replied. “I brought some new friends.”

Steelwill stepped up to the door. “If you will stand aside, I’ll rip out that door like soft clay.” He took hold of the bars on the door and pulled out the door with little effort.

“Snarf, snarf! Am I glad to see you, Lion‑O,” said Snarf.

“I assume that you’re Snarf,” Steelheart said.

“Yes. How did you guess that, ma’am? Snarf, snarf. Hey, wait a minute. Where is Snarfer?”

“He is at Cat’s Lair on third‑Earth,” said Lion‑O. “He called us to tell us about your capture.”

“I hope that he’s all right,” said Bengali.

“He should be,” said Pumyra. “None of our enemies is back there.”

“He can care of himself for a while,” Lion‑O said. “He knows where all the food is, and if he runs out, he can visit the—” He looked around and saw that the Luna‑tacks had indeed imprisoned some of the Berbils and Warrior Maidens. Fortunately, though, no leaders had been caught. “—remaining Berbils and Warrior Maidens to ask for some more. Uh, oh. What about Mumm‑ra?”

“I heard the Luna‑tacks say that Mumm‑ra was going to Brim*Star in the Mumm‑raft to help the Mob,” said Lynx‑O.

It was rarely that Steelheart was shocked to this degree. “Say what?” she demanded. “We’d better get back to Hawkhaven. Little Will, let’s see if we can pilot this tub.”

“Sure we can,” Steelwill said. “Let’s just get those lunatic Luna‑tacks in their own cells, and I’ll get this thing to Hawkhaven more quickly than you can say, ‘Hand over the Treasure, Thunder Cats.’ ” He cleared his throat. “Please pardon my unintentional faux pas, Thunder Cats.”

“Don’t mention it,” said Lion‑O.

* * *

Hangar, Hawkhaven.

Bored, bored. It sure is boring being bored, thought Wilykat. Wilykit came out of the vehicle storage room. “There’s nothing for us to do here,” said Wilykat.

“Sure, there is,” said Wilykit. “I just cleaned a little dust off the Space Racer and the Sprint Hawk.”

“Oh, please. There’s no physical activity for us to do. No trees. Nowhere we can run.”

“There are books stored in computer memory. Musical works as well.”

“Sure. But what about food?”

“Distasteful food-packs in the Feliner.”

“Yuck. What about real food?”

“Good question. Let’s go see the others about it. And if we’re good, maybe they’ll show us how to use some of the terminals upstairs.”

“Gladly.”

* * *

Sky Tomb.

About a third of an hour later, the Thunder Cats and Silver Hawks had locked up the Luna‑tacks in Sky Tomb’s brig. “You will never get away with this, you vile do-gooders,” screamed Luna. “We shall fix you, but good.”

“Look, Luna, you must close your yap,” said Bluegrass. “It can get you into big trouble, and it’s my duty to keep watch over you. If you insist on talking, I’ll have to play you a lullaby.”

“Kidd, park the Mirage where it will come along for the ride.”

“Do not worry about that, ol’ buddy,” said Bluegrass. “I took care of that.”

Suddenly, Mumm‑ra appeared on the scene in his transformed state. “But you rustbuckets have not taken care of me. Hee, hee, hee!”

“Mumm‑ra,” Lion‑O said. “What are you doing here?”

“I have come to fix you, meddling do-gooders. Ha, ha, ha! Lieutenant Steelwill’s remark concerning the Treasure of Thundera has inspired me.” He raised his arms, and a fell, unnatural wind began blowing. “O Ancient Spirits of Evil, I request that you return the Treasure of Thundera except the Thunderscope and the Book of Thundera to being scattered all over New Thundera.” A snap sounded when his request was complete. “It’s done. Now who’s the hotshot, Lion‑O? Ha, ha, ha!”

The color drained from Lion‑O’s face. “Oh, no. Blast you, Mumm‑ra!” Lion‑O took the Sword of Omens out of the Claw Shield and pointed it up. With each ‘Thunder,’ the Sword increased in vertical size. “Thunder, Thunder—”

“Oh, no you don’t. Ha, ha, ha!” Mumm‑ra fired a beam at Lion‑O. Bandages quickly formed around his body below his neck and mummified him.

“Gah!” Lion‑O fell on his belly.

“And now, for the rest of you.” Mumm‑ra mummified the others. “Why, you seem to be all wrapped up in your work.” He laughed in self-amusement.

“If not for doing us this indignity, you darned mummy,” said Steelheart, “I’ll blast you well for making that rotten pun.”

“Get us out of this prison, you miserable mummy, before I ruin your eardrums,” Luna shrieked.

“You’ve got it, Luna.” Mumm‑ra executed a spell that put the five Silver Hawks and four Thunder Cats in the cells and took the Luna‑tacks out of the cells. He missed Snarf, of course, since Snarf wisely hid when Mumm‑ra appeared. “Now, let’s go to Brim*Star and put these meddling do-gooders in Mon*Star’s prison.”

* * *

Brim*Star.

Over at Brim*Star, Sky Tomb landed near the door to Brim*Star Fortress. The jailbirds and jailcats were locked up in Mon*Star’s prison. Judging from the bones, many occupants had become permanent residents.

In Mon*Star’s control room, the evil ones held a conference. “Thanks, Mumm‑ra,” said Luna. “You really saved our necks this time.”

“Don’t mention it,” Mumm‑ra said. “We ought to fix their friends’ wagons.”

“Why?” asked Yes‑Man. “Are their wagons broken?” He tittered with amusement at his pun.

“Why, yes, they are. Now, shut up, you foolish worm,” snapped Mon*Star.

“Yes, boss.”

“Well, then,” Luna said. “I suggest that we pay those vile do-gooders a visit.” She screeched with laughter.

“I could not have said it better myself,” Mon*Star said. “Yes‑Man—”

“Yes, boss?”

“—prepare for transformation!”

“Ooh, yes, Mon*Star!”

“We can attack from Sky Tomb,” said Luna. “It has more than enough room for all of us.”

“Very well,” Mon*Star said. “Everyone can get into Sky Tomb while I transform. Hardware, make sure everyone’s devices are in proper running order.”

“You have it, Planet Master,” Hardware said. Everyone except Mon*Star and Yes‑Man left. Yes‑Man activated the controls of the Transformation Chamber. The planet Brim*Star tilted so that the Star*Crater was directly beneath the Moon*Star’s beams. The light from the Moon*Star shone onto the antennae, which carried it to a fixture above Mon*Star’s Transformation Chamber. The claws pointed toward the top of Mon*Star’s head. The Moon*Star’s light shone onto Mon*Star.

“Moon*Star of Limbo, give me the might, the muscle, the menace of Mon*Star.” Again, by the last word, Mon*Star had completely transformed. “Come, Yes‑Man. Let’s join the Plundarrians and Mumm‑ra in the Sky Tomb.”

“Certainly, boss. Whatever you say, boss.” The two left the room and went to Sky Tomb. Inside, the Plundarrians were operating the controls.

“We’re here, Luna,” Mon*Star said. His Star*Eye shone red for a moment, then dimmed.

“Okay. Aluro, give us lift-off to Hawkhaven,” said Luna.

“Yes, Luna.” Aluro operated the controls. Sky Tomb took off and flew out through the Star*Crater, leaving the prisoners behind.

* * *

Back in Brim*Star’s prison area, Snarf was hiding behind a wall. “Snarf, snarf. It sure is hard to hide from those evil-doers forever. I’m glad they left. Now, to get the others.” He went to the cell in which the nine prisoners were being kept. “Lion‑O, are you okay?”

Lion‑O awakened. “I think that I’m okay,” he responded. “I’m still all wrapped up with Mumm‑ra’s blasted bandages. What about the rest of you? Are all of you all right?”

“I think so,” said Lynx‑O. “I am just a bit winded.”

“I’m fine,” said Pumyra. “But it’s not every day I get all tied up in Mumm‑ra’s ugly, sticky band-aids, you know.”

“I’m okay too, Lion‑O,” Bengali said.

“What about you Silver Hawks?” Lion‑O asked.

“I’m fine,” responded Steelheart. “Just great. You know, for a band-aid-body, Mumm‑ra can sure dish it out.”

“Watch it. Mumm‑ra hates to be called ‘Band-Aid-Body.’ How about you, Hawks?”

“I’m okay,” Steelwill said. “I’ll get my hands on that blasted mummy, even if it’s the last thing I ever do. When I get through with him, he’ll need more that an F‑wording light-year of bandage to hold him together.”

“Cool it, Will,” said Steelheart. “That’s an order.”

“I’m still in one piece, right?” asked Quicksilver.

“Let me count. Yes, you are, Quick. How are you, Bluegrass?”

“It depends,” said the Texan. “When we get out of here, I’m a‑gonna tune that mummy out ’til all of his band-aids come off.”

“Better not,” said Lion‑O. “Or else there’ll be nothing left!”

“All the more reason to tune ’im out.”

“I am a‑okay,” said Kidd.

“At least somebody doesn’t want to say more than three words around here,” said Steelheart. She began attempting to burst out of her bandage prison. “Ung! If I can just get out of this mess—” She broke out after a brief struggle. “There. Now, Will, you try.”

“Here goes nothing. Urg! Ung! Ack!” Now, Steelwill burst out. “Heh, heh. Piece of cake.”

“Hey,” said Bluegrass. “That’s my line, Will.”

“Sorry, cowboy. I’ll make it up to you by freeing you.” Steelwill fired his right shoulder laser at the bandages wrapping up Bluegrass. The bandages fell off.

“Thank you, Steelwill. I done hated to be stuck up like that. Heh, heh!”

“Very funny, Bluegrass,” said Steelheart. “Now, to unwrap you, Quicksilver.” She fired a laser beam at Quicksilver’s bandages and burnt them apart.

“Thank you, Steelheart. I’ll free you, Kidd.” Quicksilver fired a laser at Kidd’s bandages, which burnt apart.

Kidd whistled. “Thank you.”

“Don’t mention it, Kidd.”

“This shouldn’t be too hard,” Lion‑O said. “The bandages have dried a little bit. Ung!” He successfully burst out of his bandage prison. “Okay. Sword of Omens, come to my hand.” The Sword was on the wall. It broke off the wall and flew to Lion‑O’s open right hand. “Now, to help you three get free.” Lion‑O held the Sword of Omens up in the air. With each ‘Thunder,’ the Sword lengthened. By ‘Cats,’ the Eye of Thundera opened to form the Thunder Cat symbol, and by ‘Ho!’ a beam that had the symbol shone out of the Eye, accompanied by the Thunder Cat Roar. This was the Thunder Cats Signal. “Thunder, Thunder, Thunder, Thunder Cats, Ho!” Upon sensing the Signal, their eyes flashing, Bengali, Pumyra, and Lynx‑O burst out of their bandage prisons. The Eye of Thundera was the source of the Thunder Cats’ special powers, and its signal temporarily increased their strength.

“I saw the Feliner parked outside, but I didn’t see the Mirage out there,” said Snarf.

“They probably thought that they could keep you Hawks grounded down in here,” Lion‑O said.

“The other four guys can fly the distance to Hawkhaven with little strain to their systems, but I can’t fly at all. I need a ride,” Bluegrass said.

“We’ll have enough room for you, Bluegrass, since your friends can fly that distance,” Lynx‑O said. Facetiously: “Otherwise, you’d have to ride in the luggage compartment.”

“Ha, ha. Very amusin’.”

“Okay,” said Steelheart. “Bluegrass, you ride with the Thunder Cats in the Feliner. The rest of us Silver Hawks will fly back to Hawkhaven.”

“Snarf, snarf! I almost forgot. The Luna‑tacks, Mutants, Mumm‑ra, and Mob have gone in Sky Tomb to attack the others.”

“Great.”

“Double-great,” said Lion‑O.

“Yes,” said Quicksilver. “Like they said.”

Steelwill laughed. “Bluegrass.”

“Yes, Steelwill?” said the cowboy.

“When we catch up with those Plundarrians and Mobsters, tune Sky Tomb out with some crazy piece.”

“Great idea, Will. I have an optical disc of all the music programmed into Hot Licks’s memory banks. Do you have an optical disc drive and weapon-hook‑up-board in the Feliner, Thunder Cats?”

“I believe we have those and a music board installed,” said Lion‑O. “Panthro insisted.”

“Great,” said Bluegrass. “That can amplify the music laser from my guitar.” He found his instrument near the cell and picked it up. “Here it be.” He played all six strings and found the instrument was still in tune. He began playing ‘Home on the Range.’

“Well, Hawks, what are we all waiting for? Let’s go.” Bluegrass held a note too long on his guitar and decided to stop.

“Aye, aye, ma’am,” said the other Silver Hawks.

* * *

Sky Tomb.

Sky Tomb was nearing Hawkhaven as the Feliner closed in from behind. Each of the windows around the control room was open, and the orbiting fortress was visible in the distance.

Mon*Star’s gambling boss, Pokerface, laughed. “We’re near Hawkhaven. I think I’ll give them the club. Or maybe the spade.” Pokerface aimed his Poker-cane outside a window at Hawkhaven. He was ready to loose a poker laser, which included the four suits, but suddenly a blue music laser knocked the cane out of his hand and into deep space. “What in Limbo!”

He heard Bluegrass’s voice over the communicator. “If you’re wonderin’ what happened, Pokie, I happened.”

“That was my cane. I’ll fry you for this outrage, Bluegrass.”

“Sure, you will, and I’m a monkey’s uncle.”

“I see the strong family resemblance, Texan.”

“How the heck did you do-gooding fools escape?” Hardware asked.

Windhammer approached another window. “Don’t worry, boys. My space-wind should blow them away.” He twirled his Tuning Fork around and then struck it on the floor. A strong wind blew from his fork at the ten do-gooders.

Bluegrass played his Laser Guitar. “Oh, give me a break. Your space-breeze does not threaten us, Master of Hot Air.” The laser beam shot through the window and blasted Windhammer’s Tuning Fork into two pieces.

“My Tuning Fork. You’ve split it! One day, I shall fix you for this.”

Timestopper pressed the button in the middle of his belly to start his clock. “I’ll make you freeze, vile do-gooders.”

“That’s what you think, Timestopper,” Steelheart said. She fired a right-shoulder laser through yet another window and blasted a power cable on Timestopper’s clock.

“Yaah!”

“Looks like your time is up, Timestopper.”

“I swear, one day, we’ll fix your circuits for sure.”

“Sticks and stones may break our bones, but words will never hurt us,” said Snarf.

“I just love that one, Snarf,” Bluegrass said. “Now, to tune those bad boys out.” The Laser Guitar was connected to one of the laser cannons on the Feliner. Bengali was doing the aiming. “Just aim for any ol’ section of Sky Tomb, Bengali. Preferably a nice, juicy target.”

“Yes, Bluegrass,” said Bengali. “Fire at will.” Bluegrass played some crazy tune on his Laser Guitar. A music laser shot out from the Feliner’s cannons and blasted Sky Tomb.

“So,” said Melodia. “It’s music you want, eh, cowboy? I’ll show you real music.” She hooked one cable of her Sound Smasher up to the Vari Cannon’s controls. Being a rock and roll music fanatic and an admirer of classical, she played a Beatles tune combined with a Beethoven theme on the lethal instrument. A powerful music laser blasted out of the Vari Cannon. This red, crazy music beam rammed into Bluegrass’s music head‑on.

“Uh, oh,” Lion‑O said. “It looks like we just may lose this musical duel. The cannons of the Feliner aren’t quite as powerful as the Vari Cannon.”

“Maybe so, but I have a pal who can sock it to that Vari Cannon,” Bluegrass said. “Call up Stargazer, and we’ll do something about this mess.”

“You’ve got it,” said Bengali. “Feliner to Hawkhaven; Feliner to Hawkhaven. Do you copy?”

* * *

Command Center, Hawkhaven.

Stargazer noted the incoming communications light blinking. He heard Bengali’s last nine words. “Hawkhaven responding; Stargazer speaking. What’s your problem?”

“I’m turning this over to Captain Bluegrass,” Bengali said.

“Howdy, Stargazer,” said Bluegrass. “Say, could you mosey down to the Weapon Hawks’ room, activate Side Man, and send him out? I need his help in a jam session with Melodia.”

“Sure thing, cowboy. Over and out.” Stargazer got up. At present, only Condor was there. “Condor, keep an eye on things, will you?”

“Sure thing, Gaze,” said Condor.

Stargazer went into the elevator and went down to the hangar. He entered the Weapon Hawks’ room, which was adjacent to the hangar. He picked up Side Man, who was in bass-guitar form, and pressed the button that changed him to hawk form. “Side Man, go out and help Bluegrass.” Side Man left through the door that went directly to outer space. He soared to the Feliner.

* * *

Feliner.

Bluegrass was near the end of his rope when Side Man came alongside the Feliner. “Side Man, I’m glad to see you, ol’ buddy! Tune out that thar Vari Cannon on the end of Sky Tomb.” Side Man responded by shooting a musical laser in bass clef out of his eyes. With this, he fried the Vari Cannon, which exploded in a large mass of smoke. “Yee‑haw, Side Man! You sure tuned that loco contraption out!”

Melodia became instantly infuriated. “Oh, it’s that blasted flying bass guitar, Side Man,” she snapped in a tone even more piercing than Luna’s. “I hate that stupid cowboy.” She tossed her Sound Smasher on the floor and jumped on it ten times. “I hate him! I hate him! I hate him!”

Mon*Star, in turn, lost his temper with her and paralyzed her with a Light*Star. “Shut up, Melodia.”

Zero laughed. “He may have tuned out the Vari Cannon, but I’ll z‑z‑zero in on him.” He fired a ray from his Memory Staff at Side Man. The flying guitar dodged the blast.

Steelwill fired a left-shoulder laser at Zero’s staff. “Oh, no, you won’t, Zero.” The laser sliced and broke Zero’s staff neatly.

“Zzzah! That was my Memory Staff! I’ll get you for this, Silver Hawk.”

“Enough, Silver Dodos,” Mo‑Lec‑U‑Lar said. “I’ll fix you.” He clapped his right (bolt) hand and his left (regular) hand together, his Molecular Transformer in the left. He transformed into a sizeable cannon and shot a laser blast at Steelheart.

“Look out, Steelheart,” Steelwill said.

Steelheart jinked to her left and looked behind her right shoulder. “What?” She saw the laser go by her right side. “Wow. That laser blast just went right by me. Thank you, li’l bro.”

“You’re welcome, Steelheart.”

Mo‑Lec‑U‑Lar transformed back to normal. “What? How did that happen? I hate those Steeltwins.” He tossed his Molecular Transformer and jumped on it repeatedly! “I hate ’em!”

Mon*Star allowed his Star*Eye to glow. “Silence, Mo‑Lec‑U‑Lar, before I do unto thee that which I did unto Melodia.” Mo‑Lec‑U‑Lar abruptly ended his tantrum.

“Enough fun-and-games, Silver Hawks,” said Buzz‑Saw. “I’m going to slice you up.” Buzz‑Saw fired five saw blades. One was aimed for Quicksilver, one for Steelheart, one for Steelwill, and one for the Feliner.

“Right, Buzzie,” said Quicksilver. “Enough fun-and-games.” Quicksilver blasted the saw headed for him with his heel-jets.

“Where do you buy all of your cheap toys, Mob?” asked Steelheart. “The toy store?” She blasted the saw headed for her with a shoulder-laser.

“I quite agree,” Steelwill said. “Your toys are just worthless pieces of junk.” He, too, blasted the saw headed for him with his shoulder-laser.

Copper-Kidd took one of his flying discs, flung it at the blade headed for him, and split the blade in two. His disc returned to him like a boomerang.

“Time for a touch of heavy metal, guys.” Bluegrass played a few notes on his Laser Guitar, and the laser music coming out of the Feliner’s cannons destroyed the blade. Bluegrass then played another crazy tune, and the laser music fired from the Feliner’s cannons blasted Buzz‑Saw and Mumbo-Jumbo into a corner.

“You know, Mumbo, maybe we really should think of another line of work,” Buzz-Saw said confidentially.

Mumbo-Jumbo made a noise that sounded like, “Uh-huh.”

“So,” said Hardware, “it is I who shall have the extreme pleasure of capturing the Silver Hawks.”

“Oh yeah, Hardware?” said Steelwill. “See if you like capturing this.” Steelwill fired an arm-laser at Hardware, who tripped when he moved to avoid it.

“Whoa!” Hardware fell on his back. “I hate Silver Hawks.” Mon*Star picked Hardware up by the backpack and placed him most gently onto the floor on his feet. “Thanks, boss. Vultureman and Aluro, are you two ready to use that weapon we designed?”

“Yes, we are,” said Aluro. “Hmm, hmm, hmm! The whole universe will get a big bang out of this.”

“I’ve repaired my clock,” said Timestopper. “What’s your big secret anyway?”

“Aluro, Vultureman, and I have programmed Monotone to plant a large nuclear time-bomb,” Hardware said. “It’s in the middle of Automata, the planet nearest the calculated center of the whole Milky Way Galactic Local Group.”

“Caw, yes,” Vultureman said. “We’ll get out of Limbo during the minute you can stop, Timestopper. I am holding the detonator. The bomb will blow up all but the very edges of the local group. The time-delay of the bomb is about one hour, and it will take those Steel-Bozos and Tygra a minute longer than that to de‑fuse it.”

“How long will it take for us to escape the bomb’s range?” asked Luna.

“With the new and enhanced dilithium warp crystals Hardware, Vultureman, and I installed back on Brim*Star,” Aluro said, “it should take us about fifty-nine minutes and fifty-six seconds. We’ll move at top-speed the whole journey. I just hope that those bumbling do-gooders do not blow our engines.”

Mon*Star laughed. “It won’t be too difficult to secure our getaway. I’ll fix them with my Light*Star.” At a window, Mon*Star fired a Light*Star from his Star*Eye. It split into five pieces. One piece went after Quicksilver, one after Steelheart, one after Steelwill, one after Copper-Kidd, and one after the Feliner.

“Uh, oh,” said Steelheart. “I’ll fix those Light*Stars.” She fired five shoulder-lasers at each of the Light*Stars and blew them all up.

“Caw! What happened?” Vultureman was so surprised by Steelheart’s deadly accuracy that he accidentally pressed the detonator button. “Oh, no. Let’s get out of here. I accidentally pressed the darned detonator button.”

S‑s‑slithe grabbed Vultureman’s arm. “You are a bumbling fool, Vultureman. Yes?”

Aluro activated the dilithium warp engines. “Forget about the idiotic bird-brain. Let’s get the heck out of here.”

Bluegrass played his Laser Guitar. “Not so fast, moon-brains.” His music laser, emitted from the Feliner’s cannons again, hit Sky Tomb’s nacelles and severed the power couplings to the warp engine.

“No!” Vultureman screamed. “They stopped us. We are going to be destroyed.”

“Shut up, scavenger,” S‑s‑slithe said. “They are the only ones who can save us now.”

“Unfortunately, it’s true,” said Mon*Star.

“Now, let’s board,” said Steelheart. The Silver Hawks and Thunder Cats boarded Sky Tomb through the open windows.

“Snarf, snarf. It looks as if we stopped your little getaway.”

“Well, thanks to that fool, Vultureman,” said Luna, “we’ll all get blown up.”

“How so, Luna?” Steelwill asked.

“He accidentally pressed a detonator button, and a nuclear time-bomb will blow the whole Milky Way Local Group in one hour,” Mon*Star said.

“You spoiled our getaway, so now we shall get destroyed, also,” S‑s‑slithe said.

“It seems time for some help,” said Lion‑O. He moved his right hand to the Sword of Omens and flashed the villains an inquiring look.

“Be my guest, Lion‑O,” Mumm‑ra said. “I’ll let you do it, just this once.”

He removed the Sword of Omens from the Claw Shield and held it up in the air. With each ‘Thunder,’ the Sword increased in vertical size. By ‘Cats,’ the Eye of Thundera opened to form the Thunder Cat Symbol, and by ‘Ho!’ a beam with the Thunder Cat Symbol on the end shone out of the Eye, and the Thunder Cat Roar sounded. “Thunder, Thunder, Thunder, Thunder Cats, Ho!”

* * *

Hangar, Hawkhaven.

The rest of the Thunder Cats and Silver Hawks were in the hangar. The Thunder Cats were finishing their lunch. It was not bad, especially compared to their space rations. Not even Thunderians could make dehydrated food taste good. “Thank you for lunch, Silver Hawks,” said Cheetara after her last bite.

“Yes, thank you.” Wilykat was polite enough not to talk with his mouth full.

“Our pleasure, Thunder Cats,” Condor said.

Tygra turned toward the entrance. At the sight of the Thunder Cat Signal, his eyes and insignia flashed once. “Thunder Cats, look!” All the Thunder Cats turned and saw the Signal. Their eyes and insignias flashed once as the Thunder Cat Roar sounded.

“The signal,” said Cheetara.

“There’s one problem,” said Panthro. “How do we get out there?”

“Well, ’Kat and I can fly out on our Space Boards,” said Wilykit.

“How?” asked Tygra. “I didn’t pack them.”

“I did.”

“Good thinking, Wilykit, but what about the rest of us?” asked Panthro.

“You can come on my back, Tygra,” said Flashback.

Hotwing said, “I don’t mind a friendly hitchhiker, Panthro.”

“I can carry you, Cheetara,” Condor said.

“Then,—heh, heh!—what are you waiting for?” said Stargazer. “An invitation?”

“No, nothing,” said Moonstriker. “Let’s go, everyone.” Cheetara grabbed onto Condor’s back, Panthro onto Hotwing’s, and Tygra onto Flashback’s. The Thunder Kittens hopped onto their Space Boards. Everyone, except Stargazer, left for Sky Tomb. They followed the Signal to the control room of Sky Tomb.

* * *

Sky Tomb.

Soon, the Silver Hawks and Thunder Cats who had left Hawkhaven arrived at Sky Tomb’s control center. “So, did we miss any action?” asked Cheetara.

Steelheart was furious, though she kept her voice calm and logical. “Not much. There will probably be fireworks in about fifty minutes, though.”

“Why?” asked Panthro.

“This idiotic imbecile—get over here!” She yanked the squawking, bird-brained Vultureman into the view of the others. “He accidentally pressed a detonator button that started a time-bomb. In about fifty minutes, it will blow up this whole group of galaxies unless we de‑fuse the bomb.”

“Great Jaga,” cried Cheetara.

“Just like that bird-brain,” said Wilykat.

“Yes,” Panthro said. “That blithering idiot always does stuff like this.”

“I object,” Vultureman crowed. “It wasn’t my fault Steelheart surprised me.”

“We have to stop the bomb before we literally go out with a bang,” said Wilykit. It was obvious, but that snapped everyone to attention.

“You’re right, Thunder Cat,” Luna said. “Aluro, get us to Automata.” Aluro piloted Sky Tomb to Automata, where they landed after Kidd had given a clearance code to Monotone.

* * *

Automata.

Automata: the computer control center of the solar system. The sleek artificial planet was hemispherical below the equator. On the upper side of the equator was a circular surface. A smaller hemisphere concentric with the lower hemisphere was in the middle of the circle. The smooth planet had many access ports to the mechanical insides. Everything was mechanized and robotic, and normally no human interaction was needed. This planet contained the programming that ran every computer in the solar system, except the Silver Hawks’ and the Mob’s. Monotone was the central computer brain. As an artificial intelligence, she was a bit eccentric, but she ran everything smoothly.

The Mob took the Zoomer, the Limbo Limo, and the Road Star out of the hangar of Sky Tomb. The Thunder Cats and Silver Hawks took out the Feliner and Mirage. Mon*Star took Sky Runner, who had berthed in a part of Sky Tomb. All the ones who could not fly and were not in flying vehicles took jet packs. They all went into the secluded area where the nuclear time bomb was.

“Well, there it is,” said Hardware.

“There may not be enough time left for the Steeltwins to de‑fuse it,” said Yes‑Man. “We’ll be blown across the universe, Mon*Star.”

“Not if the wise Commander of the Silver Hawks is willing to cut a deal,” Mon*Star said. Steelheart stepped to him as Steelwill and Tygra hunted for the way to de‑fuse the bomb.

“We all hear you, Mon*Star,” Steelheart said. “What’s on your mind?”

“We can help you save the galaxy, Steelheart.”

“How so?”

“Timestopper has repaired his clock. He is prepared to stop time only on planet Automata and the bomb, but none of us. That will give you one minute more to de‑fuse the bomb, and it will weaken the armor and stop the auto-destruct circuits Hardware had installed, making it easier for you to perform the de‑fusing. Also, the Luna‑tacks will free the Warrior Maidens and Berbils they have captured when they return to third‑Earth. In return, we go free, and you attempt to stop the bomb. Take it or leave it, Steelheart.”

Steelheart hated to do it, but it was the only way she knew that would work. She turned to Lion‑O, whose expression told her that he was thinking the same thing. “Fine, Mon*Star. You and all your cohorts are free to go, on the conditions that Timestopper stop that bomb and that the Luna‑tacks release their captives. You have my solemn word.”

As the time-bomb was nearing forty minutes, Mon*Star turned to Timestopper. “Timestopper, do what you do best.” Timestopper pressed the button in the middle of his belly. Time froze on the bomb device. The clock began counting down slowly by the seconds from one minute. “There is my part of the deal. Now keep yours.”

“I see the fuse,” Steelwill said. “Steelheart, let’s bash in the cover to this thing.” Tygra stepped back as the Steeltwins smashed in the outer cover of the bomb and got to the bomb’s fuse. “Ha, ha! Looks like we hit the jackpot on this one, sis.” The Steeltwins and Tygra started their work on the fuse system.

“Hey,” Pokerface said. “That’s my line, Steelwill.”

“Sorry, Pokerface.” Darn, he thought. I keep stepping on everyone else’s expressions today. When forty seconds were up, the Steeltwins and Tygra were almost done.

“Have you a status?” asked Quicksilver.

“We just need a little more time, Quicksilver,” said Steelheart.

“One Limbo minute is all I can give, and it’s almost up,” Timestopper said. Just at that moment, all the villains departed—except for Timestopper, who was left behind. The baddies headed for Brim*Star, not that it would do them any good.

“Timestopper, you must keep time stopped for just a little longer,” Quicksilver urged. “Otherwise, the whole galactic local group will be wiped out, and we’ll be blown to kingdom come.”

“Don’t you understand? I can’t! One Limbo minute is all that I can muster. You should remember that from the time Mon*Star blew Bedlama Dam.”

“Please try, Timestopper!”

Timestopper tried as hard as he could, keeping time stopped a little longer. The Steeltwins and Tygra were almost done when the clock on Timestopper’s chest reached seven seconds, shifting up and down a little bit.

“Try harder, Timestopper. You must keep time stopped.”

Time began shifting on and off. Timestopper was facing more than a little bit of difficulty. He remembered when he had done this on Bedlama, after Mon*Star had threatened to flood Bedlama City if Governor Zander would not hand over ninety percent of the city’s money. He had hoped that he would never have to do anything so difficult ever again. “I’m trying as hard as I can!” Just reaching his last breath and four seconds left on his clock, Timestopper grunted and collapsed. “That’s it! I can’t hold it back any longer.” Just as the clock in his chest reached zero seconds, it exploded, and he passed out.

“He held out for long enough for us to finish the de‑fusion,” Tygra said.

“Now, let’s wait for this monster to reach zero minutes and seconds to see if what we did will work,” Steelwill said.

After a while, Timestopper recovered. The counter reached zero, and only a little click sounded from the detonator mechanism. No explosion ensued.

“We did it, Steeltwins,” said Tygra.

“Yes, we did, Tygra,” Steelwill said.

“Not bad,” said Wilykit. “In fact, pretty darned good.”

“Thanks, ’Kit,” Steelheart said.

“Now, why not get back to Hawkhaven?” said Quicksilver. “I’ll go and drop Timestopper off at Brim*Star. A deal is a deal, you know.”

“You go ahead and do that, Quick. The rest of us will get back to Hawkhaven.”

Timestopper followed Quicksilver towards the exit. “Coincidentally, what exactly did you mean by dropping me off, Quicksilver?”

A big smile formed on Quicksilver’s face. “You’ll see.”

* * *

Brim*Star.

On the landing platform of Brim*Star Fortress, the Luna‑tacks and Mutants were bidding farewell to the Mob. “Too bad the plan didn’t work out,” said Mon*Star.

“Do not worry,” Luna said. “We’ll keep in touch, and—” She heard the alarm from the control room sound. Uh, oh. What’s that?”

“It’s Quicksilver,” said Hardware, running from the control room. Everyone could now see the Silver Hawk, for he had entered the Star*Crater.

“And he has Timestopper. Oh, yes, he does!”

“Hey, Mon*Star,” Quicksilver called.

“What in Limbo do you want, Quicksilver?” asked Mon*Star.

Quicksilver showed Timestopper to Mon*Star. “You forgot someone, so I thought that I would drop in and drop him back into your hands.” He held Timestopper over the ground. “Get my point?”

“Timestopper? Bring him down here. Better yet, drop him! I want to have a word with that punk.”

“With pleasure, Mon*Star. See you later.”

“No,” begged Timestopper. “Don’t just drop me—” At the word ‘drop,’ Quicksilver dropped Timestopper and headed back towards Hawkhaven.

“Someone catch him,” said Mon*Star.

Hardware held out his arms. “I’ve got him, Planet Master. Oof!” Timestopper landed in Hardware’s arms.

“Well, the Mumm‑raft is ready,” said Mumm‑ra. “Farewell, Mon*Star.”

“Same to you, Mumm‑ra,” Mon*Star said. Mumm‑ra stepped into the Mumm‑raft. Ma‑mutt pressed the button that sent the Mumm‑raft back to the Pyramid.

“See you around, Mon*Star,” said Luna.

“Just what I was getting ready to say,” S‑s‑slithe said. “Yes?”

“See you around, Plundarrians,” Mon*Star said. Sky Tomb took off, and the Plundarrians headed back for third‑Earth.

* * *

Hangar, Hawkhaven.

In the hangar of Hawkhaven, the good guys were saying their farewells. “Well, we’ll keep in touch, Silver Hawks,” said Lion‑O.

“Same here,” Quicksilver said.

“Well, it’s probably for the better that we leave anyway,” Tygra said.

“Yes,” Wilykit said. “We have a furry friend back home on whom we need to check.”

“Farewell, Silver Hawks,” the Thunder Cats said. “Until we meet again.”

“Until then,” the Silver Hawks replied.

“And we shall,” said Steelheart. As soon as the Thunder Cats had boarded, the Feliner blasted off toward third‑Earth.

* * *

Cat’s Lair, third‑Earth.

At the end of a peaceful trip, the Feliner returned to Cat’s Lair on third‑Earth. Snarf entered the control room to find Snarfer. “Snarfer. How are you?”

“Good to see you, Uncle Snarf. I’m fine,” said Snarfer.

“Well, I’m glad that you’re okay.”

“Welcome back, Thunder Cats.”

“Hi, Snarfer,” said Lion‑O.

“I don’t think that the Plundarrians will be bothering us for the rest of the day,” said Lynx‑O.

“Well, I could sure use some sleep,” Lion‑O said. “What an adventure this turned out to be.”

“And, luckily, we are still in the correct number of pieces,” said Panthro.

Wilykat yawned. “I think I need another nap. All this sudden excitement has gotten me all tired.”

“Oh, you had plenty of sleep on the way there,” said Wilykit. “I should be the one complaining about needing a nap, and I’m not.”

Lion‑O laughed. “Now, let’s make sure those Luna‑tacks release their captives when they arrive. If they don’t, they’ll receive a little visit.”

“Got it, Lion‑O,” said Panthro.

“Thunder Cats, Ho!” shouted the Thunder Cats.