Superego: Betrayal

by Frank J. Fleming

“The Fathom’s command ship will be rather toothless without more payloads capable of destruction on a planetary scale.” “The Fathom had been rather loose with those anyway,” she said. “We have just one left, but I’d rather not even use that. Devastating a planet is rather economically wasteful. It is time for more peaceful solutions.” “And what happens if people find out that all the Fathom amount to is one scary but rather impotent command ship and a handful of girls in designer clothes?” The Messenger laughed. “That’s like asking, ‘What if people found out the king is just a guy with a metal hat?’

“There’s also another group that could help,” I continued. “The Calabrai.” “Those terrorists?” Eldan exclaimed. “They murder women and children!” “First off,” I said, “it’s patronizing to group women with children like that.” I glanced at Diane and Tena to see if they gave me any credit for my forward thinking, but they just stared at me blankly.

may have an in with the Dagornian Empire,” Tena said. “Who?” “Renetta, the daughter of King Garrett.” “Oh. A space princess.” “She’s not called that,” Tena told me. “Is she attractive?” “Why would you ask that?” I shrugged. “Because it just seems like the natural first question when you hear about a space princess.” Tena stared at me. Diane gave me a little bit of a glare. Wade, to his credit, seemed interested in the answer.

“Who is we? Who are you?” “Again, we’ll get to that, but you all need to get out of here first. And take me as your hostage.” The man looked frightened, but he still stared back at me defiantly. “You don’t tell us what to do.” “Then take it as a fun suggestion.”

“When people ask about this, tell them that even though I am a very busy man who is trying to save the universe, if anyone is looking for me, I will make time for them. You got that?”

Morrigan waltzed in wearing a tight red cocktail dress. “Why are you dressed up?” I asked. Morrigan scoffed. “This is just a walking-around-the-ship dress. Some of us like to look good.” She looked at Diane and her fancy blue dress. “I’m not as dressed up as her, though. Is that blood?”

“I guess you could join with Rico and his band of terrorists and murderers. And already it’s not like the Dagornian Empire is the most well-liked by civil society. You’re seen as a bunch of primitive tyrants. Human rights abuses. Slave labor. If you decide to oppose us, the entire universe will gladly unite to destroy such evil as you and your allies. As your cities burn, as your daughter, in captivity, screams and cries, and as you are publicly ripped apart, the entire universe will cheer. And centuries from now, all your empire will be remembered for is being a minor obstacle on the path to intergalactic peace and unity.” I leaned back in my chair. “Or we can go the simpler route, and you can keep your rule but pledge allegiance to us.” Despite King Garrett’s attempt to hide it, I could see the fear in his eyes. It’s not a simple thing, breaking through a man’s pride. I couldn’t merely threaten him; I needed to threaten his legacy.

“I’m afraid we’re going to wipe out the Calabrai. You’re just too cartoonish a villain, with all of your silly religion and murdering civilians. The public will settle for nothing less than your destruction. Plus, you have nothing I want. So you’re all going to die.” “You will never track us all down,” Mueson answered firmly. “Calab will protect us, and we will gladly give our lives for him to fight you.” The Messenger laughed. “You’re all going to feel so righteous when you get martyred for your cause, so it’s a win-win for everyone.”

“It didn’t seem right with all that’s going on.” “Didn’t seem right?” Diane said. “You have a conscience now?” “I can reason when society would consider something right or wrong,” I answered. “I just usually don’t care.”

“That’s all I wanted — to die while I still clung to the delusion that my actions meant something. I knew that would fade over time. That everything would erode as more time passed — that everything I temporarily believed was solid would just crumble and break. There was nothing to do but end it before I reached the inevitable conclusion. “And I tried. I tried so hard to find more of that intangible meaning that’s supposed to be out there. But I am just empty. I mean, you saw how I used the space princess. Destroyed her whole world and then snapped her neck. And I still don’t care. I just don’t.