Unity by Carl Stubblefield (epub read online books TXT) 📕

Light spilled in through the door as the beaded curtain in front of it rattled to rest.

“I must admit, I did not expect to see you back so soon.” The lights brightened to allow the trio to view the leaders again, as well as a larger group of muscular hybrids accompanying them on their dais.

The queen purred, one claw scratching her whiskers. “I had almost hoped you would have left our daughter and gone on your way, but perhaps this is for the best. She is here in body only, and her time among the supers has only made her more defiant and uncooperative.” Another gesture and two servants held the curtain apart so the princess could exit onto the dais.

Prime stepped through the doorway into the throne room wearing a flowing dress with large slits that showed her legs up past the hips. Thick laces held parts of the dress in a provocative cut that emphasized her femininity much more than the biker’s outfit she usually wore.

As far as Gus could tell, just her head and tail had catlike fur. The swath of skin that arced from her shoulder across her chest was as human as they came. Prime’s fluffy pink tail flicked in agitation as she stood by her parents, her arms tightly folded, accentuating her modest cleavage. Her ears were pressed firmly down atop her head as she glared at her parents.

“We will be taking the cube now, please leave it with our steward,” the queen commanded, and on cue, a small hedgehog hybrid with bifocals scuttled forward with a tray, bowing his head as he approached Gus.

“No!” Prime roared. “That was not the agreement, and you know it!”

“Daughter dear, if you ever want to leave here, you will realize that you are not in a position to bargain. We are the Aslan clan and we will take what we are due,” her father said dismissively, holding a large paw out, indicating there was to be no interference from her, princess or not.

“So this is the honor of the Aslan clan? If your word is so cheap, I don’t know how you hope the other clans will respect you. Once honor is lost, it is not easy to regain. If you are not worthy—”

“We will honor the agreement, child,” her mother interrupted, the last word spat in distaste. Her leonine mate threw her a scathing look at being overruled.

A little hedgehog man approached, and took a small box from another small servant that resembled a meerkat. Gus slid Dr. Flak’s file over toward the box. To his surprise, the entire file was transferred, not merely a copy.

“You didn’t think we would let you keep the information, did you, pet?” the queen asked, noticing Gus’ shock. “This information’s value lies mostly in its exclusivity. And that is well within our rights. Do you have a problem with this, daughter?” The cheetah sneered at Prime who petulantly agreed. “I’m sooo glad you approve,” her voice purred, dripping with sarcasm. “I assume you will want to be leaving with them?”

“As soon as possible.”

Her mother waved her away, as if she was something offensive and smelly. The gesture was the epitome of ‘take it away, it displeases me.’

Prime stormed down the steps, pointing at the meerkat steward. “You. My gear. Now.”

He scrambled off on all fours as Prime came and rejoined her group.

Aurora looked her up and down, nodding in appreciation. “Why were you keeping this all wrapped up?”

Gus tried to keep his eyes from roving. Prime was much more attractive than he would have ever given her credit for when she was all done up, and she had relaxed any pretenses of hiding her gender. She now strutted like she was a model as she stopped to answer Aurora.

“I don’t plan to anymore.” Prime reached her hand out as the steward came scuttling out with her duffel. The shape of her helmet visibly bulging in the canvas bag

“We’re leaving,” Prime announced in an imperious tone.

“Do you want to change before we go?” Tempest asked.

“No, I just want to get out of here as soon as possible.”

“But the others—” Aurora gasped.

“It’s about time they knew. I’m tired of hiding. I’ll be okay with whatever happens here on out, I have almost nothing left to lose.”

“Just know that if you leave again, you will be renouncing your claim to the throne,” Prime’s father bellowed across the throne room.

“I never wanted it in the first place,” Prime said over her shoulder.

The medallion she had used to get them in the door was clutched in his hand and crumpled as he clenched his paw into a fist.

“I never wanted any of it.” Her tail flicked in agitation.

“So be it,” he growled. The queen patted his arm placatingly as she looked at the contents of the drive the steward had delivered to her.

“We have gained so much more. With this, the Aslan clan will be the undisputed ruler of the hybrids, with or without her,” the cheetah soothed. She slid a file over to him and his face went slack as he saw the contents. The pair both began to laugh with glee.

“What have I done?” Gus wondered as he turned to follow Prime and the others out of the headquarters.

Chapter Forty-Three

Hot on the Trail

“Aw, hell no!” Harmony yelled as Prime came into the common room. Hints of a Texas drawl apparent from her usually squeaky, bubbly, Betty Boop voice. She kept looking at the trio as they boarded, sputtering.

“Are you all okay with this? Bringing a mutant on board?” She looked at the star-struck Crew.

“I am Prime.” She dropped the canvas bag and knelt, unzipping it to reveal the characteristic helmet inside. “Or Sanura, if you prefer.”

“You… you lied to us! And your helmet, that’s why I couldn’t read you,” Harmony said to herself in realization. “Who in the Faction knows about this? We have to report her. There could be others. I knew things seemed off, but this explains so much.