Panthor In the Night

Chapter One

Now daybreak, Glenn had been alone at her desk, writing through the night. Not once was Glenn able to stay asleep in her cabin after being told by the ship's Captain that the Tour of the Golden Isles was postponed indefinitely or until the capture of consulate Ari's abductors aboard his very own ship the Sarada. Now, the Majestic had long since departed from Genoa in order to help rescue Ari from his abductors.

"My night's sleep has been far to upset by the news of not only Consul Ari's abduction but Duncans unknown whereabouts. So, to have my fellow astronauts Powers and Scopes gone missing again. I can only hope without sleep for a safe outcome for all...", Glenn states in her journal as she wearily leans back in her chair, as her eye lids sink from drowsiness.

As the mighty Majestic traverses, the high sea towards either the island of Kaliva Tay or its neighboring sister Moa Toa, it has its communications attune to the sighting of the Sarada. For when an update comes along the communications board on the deck of the Majestic its captain will be ready for immediate pursuit. Or whatever is called for as Zarek initiates what protocol is needed in apprehending the pirated Sarada.

As vast as the ocean lies between each Golden Island, the number of Eternian Royal battle boats swarm in-between in search of the illusive Sarada.

A loud boom is heard off the coast of Moa Toa!

"I have spotted a blip off the coast! It seemed to be headed Eastward before it faded again.", the young man at the radar screen told his captain.

"Get after that ship!", the captain then ordered as he followed up on the open band channel, "Calling all Royal navy ships...this is Captain Arnon! An unidentified ship of the Moa Toa coastline has been spotted. The ship is headed Eastward...repeat Eastward bound! I am in pursuit! I am making a request that all ships in the area join in pursuit...over!"

Out on the deck of the Sarada at the stern of the ship, Kronis with only the exo-helmet of his mechanized harness and backpack unit hung over him is fiddling with the helmets built in sonics emitter. Only, after becoming frustrated with his exo-helmet does Kronis re-enter the bridge of the ship.

An almost brooding Skeletor who is sitting on the captain's chair takes no notice of Kronis, who fidgets with his harness as if wanting to shed it from his skin.

"You were tasked to stay outside!", Beastman erupted, "Why have you come inside?"

Astonishingly, Skeletor who remains as still as a statue begins to calmly ask," Triklops, do we have a clear path towards...",

As Skeletors question is never fully asked, Tri-Klops remains at a standstill. This allows for another outburst from Beastman, who asks Tri-Klops," My master has also asked you a question!", for which Skeletor holds his Havok staff in front of his henchman to stifle his irritation.

"...the Vine Jungle barred in anyway?", Skeletor finished as if his mind were somewhere else.

Beastman gave a low growl towards Tri-Klops as he began to answer," I see no ship ahead of us, our path towards the Vine Jungle is clear."

Powers then asks Tri-Klop's," What about the rear of the boat? What do you see gaining on us?"

"I see six Navy boats heading in our direction.", Tri-Klop's admits.

"I would say that is an understatement my dear.", Powers says mockingly as she looks over the radar screen of the dashboard beside Mensa who is steering the Sarada.

"That loud boom from before, it stirred me from my restful state.", Skeletor grumbly sates.

Powers almost gloated at bringing forth more bad news, "That loud boom is what most likely gave our position away to those six Navy boats vastly gaining on us."

"This is no time for bickering amongst ourselves.," Skeletor admonished his cohorts.

"I assure you that the Sarada has no chance at outrunning the Royal Navy. You would have had a chance at escape if you reached the Vine Jungles shores in time. Though, I do not see that happening.", a courageous Duncan told the bickering scoundrels.

As everyone save for Skeletor, a sleeping Ari and Mensa turned their attention to the now awake soldier named Duncan it was Skeletor who simply stated, "Throw him overboard."

"Gladly", Tri-Klops said while Beastman argued," No, I'll do it."

"Why not do it together.", Skeletor suggested as both warriors proceeded to pick Duncan up from underneath his armpits to his feet.

A nervous Kronis shouted, "No!", as he barred the door to the deck of the ship,"

"Get out of the way you little freak!", Beastman threated.

Duncan began to wonder about the goblin who he battled in the air the day before at Ari's estate.

"I think that this freak might be the bravest of you all.", Duncan said in order to cause more division.

"Arrrrghhh!", Duncan groaned in pain as Beastman squeezed his right arm!

Tri-Klops followed suit by tightening his grip on Duncans other which caused him to wince in pain.

In desperation, Kronis shouted, "You don't have to kill him! I can use him at my weapons facility! There is something about him that I suspect!"

"I am staying my hand out of respect for Tataran as he holds you in high regard. ", Skeletor began, "Though whatever you suspect of this soldier ...whatever plans you might have for him at your workshop...they may never come to fruition unless we speed this boat up."

"The navy boats are gaining on us!", Powers joyfully shouted.

"A four-way surge, do you think we have time to boost all four thrusters?", Kronis asked Duncan who was about to speak when Mensa spoke for him, "I believe that is will work, it will definitely give us another head start in the short term."

"How do you know so much?", Powers smugly asked mensa who stated, "I tinker on all of Master Ari's craft, though I admit I am no expert."

Skeletor shouted, "No, more stalling! Beastman, oversee how Kronis and the soldier perform there mechanical engineering. If you see anything unusual, then throw them both over the deck!"

"Of course, Master!", begins as he manhandles Duncan towards the door to the outside along with Tri-Klops. Then Beastman in a cowardly fashion begins to beg Skeletor, "Though what about Tri-Klops? He has three eyes to watch over them."

"I asked you to do it! Now go!", Skeletor demanded.

Without another word, Beatman urged Kronis and his captive out onto the deck. The speed of the boat as well as the wind made it hard to stand in place without holding onto something for safety!

Duncan suggested to his furry captor," I will need my hands free to help Kronis hook his thrusters to the boats."

An annoyed Beastman grumbled as he tore into Duncans bonds. As Duncan was getting his hands savagely untied, Kronis began to spread out the mechanical wings from his harness. Once Kronis wings were in full display with both the wings thrusters aligned with the boats two thrusters Duncan was signaled over to him. Kronis unlatched two of his grappling lines so Duncan could secure him to the boat. Once he felt that he was secure enough Duncan lowered himself down to take off his helmet in order to take from it the tools that he would need.

Tri-Klops watched as all of this was happening outside of the boat.

Duncan used a magnetic micro-wrench taken from his helmets hidden compartment to unbolt some plated to get to some fuselage hoses underneath the Kondors wings of Kronis harness. The hardest part came next when Duncan had to be suspended over each thruster on the back of the Saraka. The first thruster that Duncan worked on was the right one as he removed a panel to co-join one hose to the thruster in order to boost it when ready. Duncan had to drill a makeshift hole inside the thruster in order to make the connection with the Kondors fuselage using a micro-drill. It was a delicate procedure which was meant to be done in a stationary setting preferably with the thruster turned off. The hardest part of the procedure was securing the hose in place to where it would feed the boats thruster. In order to perform this last step, Duncan used his micro-torch on its lightest setting, very slowly to get seal the connection up.

Once Duncan signaled to Kronos to pick take him to the other thruster with his other arm, he performed the same hook up with the left hose being connected inside the left thruster.

There was only one thing to do, shut off the boat engines thrusters.

After Duncan was placed back on the deck by Kronis left mechanical wing arm the instruction to turn off the thruster engines was told to Beastman. At first Beastman refused to relay the message until Duncan told him, "Would you rather remain out hear any longer?"

In answer, Beastman scurried off to get inside the bridge of the boat.

Once told and approved by Skeletor, the boat began to slow until the motor was turned off by Mensa.

"We were so close to.", Powers said mockingly as she saw on the radar screen all six Royal Navy boats closing in.

Kronis tried to ignite his back thruster...it purred...louder and louder until it made a growl...the growl became prolonged until it was steadily maintained. After Kronis gave the signal to turn on the boat's thrusters, Duncan relayed the message to the bridge as he opened the door.

When Mensa started the boats engines, Skeletor told Beastman,"Pull him back inside!"

Duncan shouted in protest as Beastman hauled him back into the boat with his massive red furred arms!

Beastmans strength kept Duncan in check as he struggled to get lose!

The loud bang of the engines shot the Sarada off like cannon! The Sarada steaked away from the navy boats as they were just about to encircle it! A torrent of water was left in the Saradas wake as it vanished in the horizon!

"Blast it!", the lead captain shouted before giving his command to follow the boat that they had indeed identified as the Sarada!

When the Sarada had restarted its engine, the inertia toppled Beastman with Duncan whose helmet knocked against the henchman's forehead! Taking advantage of Beastmans stunned condition Duncan rushed outside to help Kronis whose back thruster somehow exploded leaving a fire on his backside!

Kronis screamed in pain as his back was being burnt from the flame behind it!

In order to put the flame out, Duncna took off his yellow jacket and started to smother the location on the Kondors back thruster! Finally, the flame on the back thruster of the Kondor wings was snuffed out. Though Duncan had to release his jacket into the sea once it caught aflame! Some of the heat from the back jet had melted a portion of the metal. Duncan had to pull him out of his harness as the heat from the back jet was still burning him!

Fortunately, it was fairly easy to unhook as well as release the front portion of the harness around Kronis' torso and crotch.

Duncan just lay with Kronis as he laid on his stomach. The boats engine thrusters were turned down which made Duncan curious, so he stood up.

The dark dense coast of the Vine Jungle could be seen in the distance. An almost hostile jungle filled with man eating plants as well as animals. There was no turning back now, though Duncan.