The Conspiracy of Hearts and Daggers

Chapter Five

General Harkens wizard was no more! The general put away his binoculars in disbelief after seeing Damons body disintegrate into a pile of burning ember. The general retreated down the ladder from his cannon blaster. Once in the interior of the tank he was informed by the driver, "The lead tank has sped off! "

After being alerted of the lead tanks disobedience, Harken takes command once again, as he speaks into his communicator, "Where are you going? This is General Harken!", a voice shouted through the console inside the grey tank as it veered away from the metastasized menace of the Skelcon's as the undead warriors started to attack the goblin army.

"Turn around and help your fight!", the voice continued through the speaker on the console of the fleeing tank.

"Kronis! You cowardly Cat-Nik, get back here!", the green skinned Kronis for which the voice on the other end also referred to as a Cat-Nik wore a purple helmet with a silver metal strand that parted in the middle which stretched from front to back. The helmet appeared rather oversized on the slender almost feline face of Kronis as he looked on the radar screen. Kronis noting his position on the radar screen then peered out the front window of the tank while driving it.

Kronis then started to steer the heavy treaded tank around to face the greatly outnumbered forces of General Harken where they could be seen being overwhelmed by the Skelcons! Once facing the onslaught of the Goblin army by the Skelcon warriors at a safer distance the tank was brought to a dead halt by Kronis!

One of the goblins loyal to General Harken questioned Kronis tactics, "Why have you steered us away from the front?"

The other goblins in the cockpit of the tank began to wonder the same thing as if they had no conceptualization of the question until it was brought up by the other.

Kronis who's lean bare green chest when compared to the bulkier goblins near him was strapped into his seat by a purple harness reasoned," I am trying to scan for a weak spot to start attacking from."

Unseen to the other goblins who believed Kronis explanation to them, the Cat-Nik's two green hands pulled back on the arms of his seat to unveil what looked like a joystick type controller. Then after griping both of his hands on the sticks jutting out of the arms of his seat Kronis said after pressing two red caps with his thumbs," Also, I am not entirely loyal to your General!"

There was no time for the goblins to react as the top front portion of the tank exploded open while another explosion which was the chair that Kronis was sitting on shot him straight up into the air! The goblins inside the cockpit of the tank were instantly incinerated while another explosion erupted from within the tank!

While in the air, Kronis let go of his hand-held controllers to rotate a dial clockwise on the front of his harness across his chest. As he did this the thrusters shut off which caused Kronis to freefall back down to the ground! Unaffected by the disaster that awaited him, Kronis reversed the dial again on his harness to unlock a pair of gigantic purple metal wings from the back of his seat! I addition to his long wingspan, the back part of his seat expanded into a kind of compact harness that was a combination of artillery ware, radar dish, as well as protective helmet.

Kronis quickly reignited the thrusters on his newly transformed flying jetpack to avert his imminent crash landing! Then as the air loft Kronis assesses his newly acquired opposition from on-high he speaks into his helmet, " Kronis to Tataran...come in... fetch has been triggered!"

"I hear you Kronis, what is your status now?", It is the voice of Tataran who replies back through there secure connection once again.

"It waorked! I am in flight! From what I can see through my scanners interface, the battlefield is all but empty of Goblin resistance. There forces have been overrun by your ally's skeleton warriors! Per my objective, I am going in to capture Harken in order to put an end to this battle!" Kronis informs Tataran.

From the distance above the overturned tanks as well as fallen goblin soldiers can be seen an array of flying figures heading in Kronis direction.

Kronis immediately recognizes the goblin air troopers with their own jet packs allowing them to meet him head on. However, Kronis seems unnerved by the attackers as he presses several buttons on his steering sticks in order to fire off a cascade of missiles at them! The missile bombardment creates several explosions in the air after striking several of the air troopers!

The threat of Kronis has gathered the attention of any artillery capable of intercept, be it from air trooper or ground assault! Kronis is once again well-equipped to answer the challenge as he presses together two bottom buttons on his steering sticks which emit a high frequency blast from his radar dish on his back packs upper right side! Kronis helmet nullifies the high frequency sound from damaging him as it blankets the area around him! The high-pitched attack silences all of the remaining opposition as Kronis nears the tank that General Harkan is in! A giant bird shaped silhouette passes over the ground Kronis is flying over. Then as Kronis descends a pair of hydraulic arms are extended out from there housings inside the long wings of his jet pack!

Kronis spots an unconscious gunner on the top of Harkans tank as a result of his high frequency attack. Then the top of Harkans tank is ripped off as Kronis winged taloned arms tear into it! Kronis canine looking fangs flash in satisfaction as for successfully uncorking the tanks top in one go! Then Kronis flies around in order to collect his prize!

Inside the exposed tank, General Harken along with several other goblin soldiers lay unconscious in the cockpit as a result of the high-pitched sound wave that was unleashed by Kronis. Then as if in slow motion, Kronis decreases his thrust in order to collect Harken, his hydraulic arms extending out gently nabbing Harkan underneath his arm pits belying the sheer strength they demonstrated moments ago.

"Well done, Kronis!", Tataran says through Kronis speaker in order to alert him of his as well as his new allies' timely arrival.

Then a swath of the Skelcons part, allowing Kronis to see Tatarans allies in plain view. To Kronis astonishment, he sees whom he believes to be the ocean warlord Mer-Man, along with a feral looking man covered from head to toe in red fur who along with him stand three enormous single horned Shadow Beasts while at the front of the group was the dark hooded skull faced figure with a rams headed staff who announces , "I am Skeletor, pleased to meet your acquaintance, Tataran has told me so much about you."

Tataran who stood nearest to Skeletor beseeched Kronis to drop down with his prisoner.

Once Kronis lands he proudly displays General Harkan in the air with his giant hydraulic arms announcing, " I pronounce Tataran as the new General of our Goblin army! All hail Tataran!"

Tataran glanced over at Skeletor who tells him, "Well, this is your moment...why not seize it."

A more confidant Tataran walks past Kronis to face out into the defeated remnants of the goblin army with their equally defeated general hoisted before them.

It is Tataran who now declares, " This fight has ended! During my time with Skeletor, we have come to an accord! Now we must regroup! Those amongst you who are loyal to me may come forth! If you are unsure of your loyalty to me then you are free to leave now. This is a new beginning, with a new direction for all of us! You will suffer the blundering leadership of Harken no more! As Harken's time as General is over! From now on, I Tataran am now the General of this army! So, come forward in acknowledgement of that!

After Tatarans announcement, the Skelcon warriors start to withdraw as they head back to Snake Mountain. What is left in the wake of the fighting are the surviving Goblin soldiers of the assault. Those goblin soldiers that are able limp forward in acceptance of their new General. While those soldiers that are unable to follow due to injury are aided by their goblin brethren.

"Excellent!", Skeletor commends Tataran ,"You will make a fine general!"

"What should we do with Harken?" Tataran confidingly asks Skeletor.

"Harkens fate is in your capable hands now Tataran." Skeletor concedes.

Tataran taking Skeletors advice looks out towards his Goblin army gathering out before him to pronounce their former generals' fate," As you can see Harkans wizard is nowhere to be seen, for this sorcerer who is called Skeletor defeated him. In addition, Skeletor is in command of those Skelcon warriors, who as you now know are quite formidable. From what Skeletor has told me, Damon was willing to sacrifice each and every one of you as surely as Harken's heartless nature would have done. I did agree to your battle with the Skelcons, in the knowledge that the skirmish would be brief. In the aftermath, no goblin who had shown loyalty to Harken shall be punished unless they continue to do so. I can forgive any past dealings with Harken because I know how petty he was towards disloyalty. Harken was selfish and cruel not only to his enemies but towards those at his command. I will not lead you in such a fashion, serve me well and you will be properly rewarded. Though for now we must regroup as well as re-focus our goals on the aftermath of this battle as well as for future battles in the assurance of many victories. A remnant of our forces will stay here at Snake Mountain under my leadership as we prepare for a long stay under the hospices of Skeletor. Kronis my most faithful soldier will take a smaller specialized contingent of soldiers skilled in weapons as well as surveillance/communications applications. Once Kronis arrives back in Goblin territory he will gather all the technology needed to start installing it in Snake Mountain. A route will be established between our territory and Snake Mountain! Then a new charter we be planned out as we will start new routes, in efforts to start expanding our forces from Snake Mountain across Eternos as well as far beyond the dark hemisphere!"

Cries rang out amongst the soldiers to rally alongside their new generals' aspirations! There were even some cries of executing their former leader General Harken!

Tataran decided to quelch any notion of executing as he said," Harken will remain in the dungeons of Snake Mountain as our prisoner in perpetuity! Though before I hand Harken over to Snake Mountains jailor...."

Tataran then motioned for Kronis to lower the limp body of Harken down with the arm extensions on his wing pack. Where Tataran proceeded to rip off Harkaens horned helmet! Tataran then cast Harkens helmet out to the goblin soldiers!

When a Goblin soldier caught the helmet belong to Harken he immediately threw it to the ground! The Goblin soldier then withdrew a mace from his side only to then start smashing the helmet! All the goblin soldiers began to cheer this!

"I am ready to take my prisoner to his cell now!", Beastman growled as he approached with his lumbering three Shadow Beasts. In reply, Harken was immediately handed over to the intimidating quartet as the crowd of goblin soldiers cheered! Within the crowd many Goblin soldiers took turns smashing Harkens helmet!

The still unconscious Harken was then effortlessly carried away by one of the three Shadow Beasts with but one of the beast's giant paws around his waist. Beastman led the way back towards Snake Mountain's dungeons from that point.

Skeletor watched Kronis as he folded his giant wings back into his backpack strapped to his harness. Tataran then decided to introduce Skeletor to his loyal friend.

Kronus was much shorter than even Tataran as he only came up to Skeletor's naval.

"Well, meet Kronis the Goblin army's greatest mechanic!", Tataran told Skeletor.

"Welcome to my ever-growing army of warriors. I am most impressed by your inventive skills." Skeletor says approvingly.

A very animated Kronis gleaming with gratitude replies," You have not seen anything yet! This device around my back, for which I call the Kondor's Wings is but a simple improvement on the Goblins V1 Twin Thruster pack or TTPv1. I have studied the ways of the ancient Kraftsmen of Preternia having snuck into some of their ancient ruins. I am currently working on a system of cybernetics...in fact my Gut Mold Machine or G-MP uses cryogenics to enhance the bodies digestive capabilities..."

The hyper enthusiasm of Kronis starts to irritate Skeletor who abruptly says," I have to attend to some personal matters General Tataran." Skeletor was sure to emphasize Tatarans new title of General before blowing Kronis off like he did. The extra flattery to Tataran was sure to soften the rudeness on display as Skeletor hastily walks back towards Snake Mountain. Though on his way back, Mer-Man who has been all but invisible approaches Skeletor asking," Do you want me to start heading towards the Golden Isles as we had discussed?"

An abrasive Skeletor summarily dismisses Mer-Man, "Not yet...now out of my way!"

The slighted Mer-Man goes around the side of a large rockface where he begins to start seething with anger! This kind of treatment of him cannot be tolerated! No matter how powerful Skeletor becomes.