The Hat

T

A frog-like Mutradi took a washcloth and tried to wipe the dirt off of Modula's throne. His name was Ranaron, and he served his master out of what could only be described as submission and unalterable loyalty.

The General had stopped sitting here after a while, giving Ranaron ample to time to clean the whole throne room. After he finished polishing the seat and armrests Ranaron took a look around the rest of the room. Dusty, dirty, and definitely in need of more work. And so Ranaron started his work on the floor, even cleaning under the rugs.

The post-coup throne room was nothing like it was in its former glory; even Ranaron knew this although he had never seen the palace before the war had started. He was moved here until after it was confirmed that the Royalist Resistance—so the true king of Galaluna and his troops were called—was driven underground. The room's dimensions were deliberately made large in order to give one the sense of awe necessary when in the presence of a king—at least that's what Ranaron had assumed. Mutradi had never had a monarchy up until recently, and if one could call it that than it was a pretty shabby one. But Ranaron kept that thought to himself. On the ceiling where 2 giant glass windows meant to let sunlight shine directly down on the throne during the day, and lights were turned on with the flick of a switch at night. Ever since the coup, however, Modula had kept the lights off to "divert energy from luxury to our troops". And the windows meant to let in sunlight now bathed the throne with a hazy orange tint. During and after the coup, devices had been installed that emitted various gases from the Mutradi atmosphere into Galaluna's, giving the sky an orange color instead of its usual green. This had been done in an effort to modify Galaluna's climate so that it could better support Mutradi. Quite a few had some trouble adjusting to the oxygen-nitrogen atmosphere, while others were hardly unaffected. Ranaron's species was one such unaffected Mutradi, so seeing the sky go from green to orange made him feel that his fellow Mutradi were violating Galaluna's climate by forcing it to change for them. The Galalunan people, meanwhile, seem to have no trouble breathing in this altered atmosphere since the Mutradi atmosphere actually had more oxygen. And the levels of Radon were rather low, so they wouldn't have to worry too much about radiation poisoning. Or at least that's what Ranaron told himself when he began to worry about the plight of the humans.

Ranaron had just finished cleaning the throne room when Modula appeared. Ranaron had never seen him so angry. It was probably about the moon base being destroyed. It was a good thing Modula had access to the royal treasury, otherwise such things would take a toll financially. Ranaron tried to ignore him and continue with his work, but without warning Modula grabbed Ranaron and turned him around to face him.

"I was only cleaning the throne room, my master," Ranaron croaked meekly. Perhaps Modula would come to see reason and show him mercy?

"What an obedient servant you are. Never getting into trouble, always doing as you're told. Your life certainly is lowly and pathetic, but it has its perks."

"What good could possibly come of my meager existence, master?" Ranaron knew that Modula would appreciate it if he showed humility and docility. But unexpectedly, Modula gritted his teeth. He was probably also scowling too, but Ranaron couldn't tell because Modula's hat was over his eyebrows and eyes.

"Don't be like that. I can see right through your poor disguise. I know the contempt you have for me. You're beginning to question your own loyalty to me." Ranaron tried not to show any fear, but he presumed that his trembling gave himself away.

"Nonsense! I am very loyal to you!" Ranaron insisted.

"No, Ranaron. You're not capable of absolute loyalty. Not like the mindless Nephilimites, or any of the Mega Beasts. You have a brain that can't be subdued as easily. But I'll do what I can…" at this Modula's eye shot forth green lightning that zapped at Ranaron.

"…to make you as much a slave as the others."

Ranaron winced as the lightning hit him. It was quite painful at first, but as the electricity danced on his skin it became more of a stinging sensation.

"So you are more loyal than I thought. I apologize," Modula said, looking into Ranaron's eyes. For such a great general to lower his head and look at a servant was quite the act of humility. Ranaron nodded.

"I harbor no rebellious intentions," Ranaron said. It was partially true; his loyalty to Modula had made him obedient and docile. The fact that his species wasn't meant for combat like most of the others made him even less of a threat.

"Of course you don't. However, there is a slight problem." Modula said as he zapped more lightning at Ranaron. Now the frog Mutradi could feel himself growing lethargic, and he began to look at Modula in a new light; this man controlled the shocks. Ranaron knew that his loyalty was holding Modula back from using a lethal amount, and if he were completely loyal he could mitigate the pain almost completely.

"How can there be any problems when I obey you wholeheartedly, master?" The words seemed to just slip out of his mouth; just a second ago he would have sucked up to Modula this much.

"I'm all out of monsters." Ranaron's eyes widened when he realized exactly what Modula meant by that. But he closed his mouth in a subdued silence as Modula dragged him away.