Chapter 180: Escalation
Moments after receiving the chilling orders from Xa’Mharr the Unshaped, and still reeling from Emperor Mainu’s terrifying departure, the four Krill kings—Vurmak, Krinak, Vanak, and Lashrak (now seemingly recovered from Xa’Mharr’s possession, though a faint, unsettling crimson glow occasionally flickered in his eyes)—convened in a holographic call. Their faces, still etched with the raw terror of Mainu’s awakening, quickly shifted to a mask of calculated composure as Chancellor Shuda’dar’s holographic form materialized before them. Shuda’dar, a leaner, more bureaucratic Krill, managed the logistical nightmare of their vast, interstellar empire.
"Chancellor," King Vurmak began, his voice a carefully modulated rumble, masking the tremor that still ran through his massive frame. "How fares our primary farm?" He used the term ’farm’ with a chilling nonchalance, referring to Earth.
Shuda’dar’s wings twitched with satisfaction. "It has been quite good, my Lords. We have quite a few harvests ready. A tanker convoy ship, fully laden, is already en route to the capital."
Vurmak nodded, a grim satisfaction in his eyes. "Chancellor, I have grave news for you. His Imperial Majesty... he went berserk again." Vurmak’s scales seemed to pale slightly, a convincing display of feigned fear. "We gave him the capital reserves, the last of our accumulated essence, but he was still asking for more. He consumed it all, and then... he departed. He’s headed for Earth."
Shuda’dar’s eyes widened, his holographic form flickering with shock. "Th-that’s... impossible! He would never abandon the capital! The Federation—"
"Silence, Chancellor!" King Krinak interjected, his voice sharp. "His Majesty’s erratic behavior has escalated. His demands have become... unsustainable. The essence you delivered, combined with what we already possessed, is enough for us to develop a serum to counter our dependency." Krinak paused, letting the implication hang heavy in the air. "We may have to cull a few of our less useful citizens to reduce our overall consumption and increase our chances of survival during this... transition."
Shuda’dar’s shock morphed into a grim resolve. His tail drooped, a sign of deep distress, but his voice firmed. "My Lords... what do you have me do?"
"Is your current ground force deployment sufficient to fully take control of Earth?" Vurmak demanded, his voice low and urgent.
"Yes, my Lord," Shuda’dar replied, a flicker of pride in his eyes despite the gravity of the situation. "Our vanguard forces have established forward bases underground, and our orbital assets are ready."
"Good," Vurmak said, a predatory glint entering his eyes. "Then it’s time to show yourselves to the humans. Take as many humans as possible. Kill only the resisting ones, those who pose a threat to our operations or our... assets. Prioritize securing every nuclear missile launch facility on the planet. We cannot afford to have their primitive, destructive toys interfere with our plans. While you secure the planet, we will initiate a phased evacuation of our most vital personnel and resources to a pre-selected star system."
Shuda’dar’s confusion was palpable. "But... what about the Federation war, my Lords?"
King Krinak stepped forward, his voice a smooth, cold balm. "The Federation war, Chancellor, we will have to convince them, that our people are merely hostages in the Emperor’s presence. Now that he has gone... mad, we will initiate a strategic surrender to the Federation. It will buy us time. Time to reorganize. Time to rebuild."