Chapter 148: Project Harvest
Meanwhile, deep within the Krill command center, in a hexagonal conference room shimmering with holographic displays, several Krill officers sat around a large, central table. Their conversation, guttural and resonant, filled the space. The Krill Captain, Jhur’nah, a larger, more imposing figure with duller silver scales than a Duke, presided over the meeting, his multi-faceted eyes constantly shifting.
"The quotas are increasing," one officer grumbled, its clawed hand thumping the table. "But our own shares of Anu-blood are decreasing. The Emperor’s needs consume all."
"Indeed," another added, its voice rasping. "It is not only us. Other sectors suffer. The Emperor’s demand for Anu-blood has increased exponentially in recent cycles. A glutton."
A smaller, younger Krill sneered. "That old bag should just die already. His endless hunger will ruin us all." Several other officers murmured agreements, their thoughts bordering on heresy.
Captain Jhur’nah’s single eye-stalk snapped to attention. His voice, a low rumble, cut through the dissent. "Silence! Do not be so obvious with your thoughts. Such sentiments could be seen as heresy. If you want your families to live, you will endure. We all will."
He paused, his gaze sweeping over each officer. "However, I bring news that offers hope, and a path forward. Lords Khians and Kahn have ordered us to increase our forces and to discreetly infiltrate other harvest zones’ units. Our Harvest Lords, Lords Khians and Kahn, have planned an alliance against the Imperial family. The nobles back on our home planet have planned to stage a coup while the Empire is now at full war with the Federation. Their strategy: run from the frontlines, let the Federation invade the capital. Their mission here, along with other allied harvest leaders, is to hold back their quotas. To not deliver the full amount to the Emperor."
A buzz of excitement, tinged with apprehension, filled the room.
"Chancellor Shuha’dar and other harvest leaders loyal to the Emperor will fight back against us," Jhur’nah continued, laying out the treacherous game. "But Lords Khians and Kahn have engaged in subtle diplomacy with other harvest leaders, bringing them to our cause. Our orders are clear: save up Anu-blood, as much as possible, and prepare for wars against other harvest leaders. A retreat to the next star system is open for contingencies in case of emergencies, a fail-safe should the coup fail or the Federation war turn against us entirely. This is the reason why we have to save up. The timeline for the coup’s initiation is six Earth years from now."
Jhur’nah then slammed a clawed hand on the table. "Now, to solve this immediate matter of increased quotas and the need for hidden reserves, we have human specialists who have devised a plan. Bring them in."