ZEDONG
STARDATE 07.08.26
OLDE KINGDOM – INVERSE SPACE
An old man in chains was dragged into the High Chamber. It was a spacious, government building with a high ceiling. A long table filled with chairs was used for meetings. At the head of the table, a space was always reserved for the old man.
But now there was a figure waiting who should not have been there. He was a stern, ruthless man who commanded absolute authority and total obedience. Atop skin of bronze sat short black hair, a long black mustache, a black goatee, and a red and black uniform which held a diagonal fiery sash that ran across his body.
Two guards forced the old man to kneel before the bronze figure. The old man bore manacles on his hands and feet. A long chain tied them all together. Around his neck lay a metal collar which also connected to both manacles. The expression on his face conveyed that he was weary, beaten, humiliated, and broken.
“Now then…High Chancellor Amon…is it? That was your former name. Now you are simply Amon. Or Servant 0001. Do you know who I am?”
“Yes,” Servant 0001 answered. “You are Captain Gulag. Your starship, the Zedong, is currently in orbit around our planet, Fremor-6. I beg you, Captain Gulag, show mercy. Spare my people. Do whatever you wish with me. We are a peaceful society with no weapons of our own. All of this is unnecessary. Let us act as civilized people.”
Captain Gulag grinned with amusement. “…civilized people…?” the Captain mumbled to himself. Then he burst out laughing. His laughter did not end for many minutes.
“Listen to me very closely, you little worm. Everything on Fremor-6, including all your people, is now the property of the Shackler Superiority. All your men. All your women. All your children. All your resources. All your land. Everything on your pitiful planet now belongs to the Shacklers. I will give you orders. You will convey those orders to all your provinces, regions, and domains. You and all of your people, will do exactly as I say. Any errors will bring severe punishment. If even one of you resists, hundreds will be put to death. There will be no talks, no negotiation, no pleading, no bargaining. Shackler Authority is absolute and you will bow before it. Do you understand, Servant 0001?”
Amon looked downward without saying anything. Teardrops fells from his eyes. Then he begrudgingly confirmed, “Yes, Captain Gulag, i understand.”
Captain Gulag slapped Amon across the face. Then he followed up with a backhand slap in the opposite direction. A knee slammed into Amon’s gut, sending him to the ground coughing.
“You see, Servant 0001, your very body is now mine to do with as I please. If I feel like striking you, I will do so. If I feel like spitting on you, I will do so. Your worthless life belongs to me, doesn’t it, Servant 0001?”
“…yes…yes…” Servant 0001 answered as he struggled to his feet.
“Good. Now tell me of the Keepers. What contact have you had with them?”
Servant 0001 took a moment to collect his thoughts before answering.
“Speak now, Servant 0001! Or must I beat it out of your underdeveloped brain?”
“The Keepers came to Fremor-6 three months ago. They wanted our world to join their Brotherhood. We considered it, voted on it, and I made the final decision. We refused their offer, stating that we may join them in the future, but not at the moment. The Keepers left our world, disappointed, but open to future relations.”
Captain Gulag let out a snarl. His hands formed into fists. There was hatred in the sound of his voice.
“Those pathetic Keepers! We will crush every last one of them. They will rue the day they dared to resist the Shacklers!!”
Captain Gulag calmed down, unfurling his fists. He stared at Servant 0001 with a face of stone and eyes like daggers.
“You see, Servant 0001…the Keepers are idealistic dreamers who have no connection to true reality. They want to transform the universe into their pacifistic, cooperative, benevolent Brotherhood. But that is all a lie. The Shacklers know the truth about life, a truth those Keeper weaklings are too scared to accept. Do you know what that truth is, Servant 0001?”
“…no…Captain Gulag…”
“The truth is that the strong rule the weak. The mighty crush those who are helpless underneath their feet. Those with power take from those who have no power. Those with weapons take from those who have no weapons. Those with ambition claim what is rightfully theirs. There are no rights, no equality, no freedoms, and no voting or representation. There is only predator and prey. Does a lion treat those it hunts with dignity and compassion? No, the lion catches whatever prey it desires, whenever it desires, and then devours it slowly. The prey can do nothing except cry out in terror. None dare to challenge the lion. That, Servant 0001, is what life is truly like!”
Amon said nothing, only staring downward.
Captain Gulag forcefully grabbed Servant 0001 by the throat and forced him to look into his burning eyes.
“You are a weak lamb. A pitiful sheep. In truth, I should kill you right now, to put you out of your misery. Your life is mine for the taking. But i gain more satisfaction in keeping you alive to do my bidding. No, you will not be allowed to die. Realize this, servant 0001…”
“FOR THE REST OF YOUR NATURAL LIFE…YOU WILL BE IN SHACKLES.”
