She-Ra: Codename Resurrection

CHAPTER VII: Changing Plans

So far, the plan had been working properly.

She had not been a Vice Admiral for no reason. Her positioning of Lancer was far from shallow: while she was investigating his loyalty towards her on one hand, she was putting a potential first phase into action, one with an admittedly small chance of success. If Lancer was able to subdue the girl, she would have then simply subdued the Queen and killed the rest. Their knowledge of and potential to wield this energy they called "magic" would have taken her far beyond returning to her original position. They would have made her a force to be reckoned with.

Of course, she could not be so lucky, and thus they had entered their first contingent; she had lost some trust with the newcomers, but not enough for them to fully condemn her. This was due to Lancer's quick thinking, one of his more reliable characteristics. And that was fortunate for him as well - if she had to resort to her second contingent, Lancer would quickly become insignificant, if not a problem that would require address.

She led him off the ship as the newcomers began yet another presumably tense dialogue about her. Although she expected to share some words with him, the newcomers' surprise sixth teammate, Catra, had followed her out. Nothing lost, of course. They would meet that night.

"Officers," she said, resisting the urge to glance back at Catra. "I believe you've received our full report." She led Lancer towards the two Mundara Civic Officers - both hers, of course. Nawls and Ingram, respectable servants of the law on her payroll.

"Yes, ma'am." Nawls took Lancer roughly by the arm. "He'll be held in the Sector 6 Holding Facility until his court date. You might receive a summons."

Bella didn't reply. She marked a note in her holo-pad and nodded. "Goodbye, Lancer," she said, looking up. "Hopefully you learn your lesson."

"Hopefully," he returned, keeping his voice low. Their eyes met and Bella felt her jaw clench when she saw the insurrectionary gleam in his eye. She may have to consider his goals more closely.

She turned as the officers led him to a waiting holding vehicle. "Good morning," she said to Catra, offering one of her more friendly smiles. "I don't believe we ever properly met."

"And we won't," Catra replied, standing in her way at the top of the airstairs. "You can wait until everyone's finished."

Ever since this one had made her presence known, Bella had taken careful note of how she behaved. A spy, presumably, further clarifying that the newcomers did not trust her. Catra in particular appeared to have a sort of personal grudge against her. This is where their naivety would serve as a powerful tool. "Excuse me," she began, adopting a concerned expression, "have I offended you in some way?"

"Don't even try," Catra hissed in reply. "They might be willing to give you the benefit of the doubt. I'm not."

Benefit of the doubt, she thought. Then I must simply sow doubt. "I apologize for any misgivings I may have caused," she said, bowing slightly. She was no stranger to false supplication. "Is there any way I can regain your trust?"

When she looked back up, Catra was staring at her with the fragile hatred of a sworn enemy. "No," she replied curtly, and headed back into the ship.

Bella remained at the bottom of the airstairs and allowed herself another small smile. To a lesser tactician, this would be a wrinkle in their plans. But not for Bella. There were plenty more contingencies to rely upon.

"Transmit to Outpost C," she said into her holo-pad, turning away from the ship. "Lieutenant Eluda. My plan has come to require your talents."

The first things that struck Entrapta as she skipped out of the airstairs were the scents of smoke and oil and saltwater - the scents of industry. She couldn't help but laugh as she stared up at the buildings with their miniature satellite towers and at the suspended railway and at the rumbling vehicles crowding the streets among the swarming crowd.