How Can I Keep From Singing?

By Sunflare2k5

Setting: Post-boot LSH comics, after President Chu's been deposed.

Disclaimer: All places and people mentioned by name in this story are property of DC Comics. They are used without permission, and they are not being used for profit.


Takron-Galtos is never quiet. From its corridors and cells come a variety of sounds; grumbling from guards, threats from inmates… even an occasional moment of laughter. But one cell in the maximum security block, that cell always has the same sounds.

A baritone voice raises and falls in soft song; the language is not Interlac, or any other language the listeners might know. Between the songs are long periods of chanting; two or maybe three words at a time, with tiny pauses in between. Then the songs begin again, sad and solemn. And once again, the singer chants.

Validus' growls and snarls fade away as it listens, though how the puppeted creature could possibly understand the songs, not even its master Tharok knows. The Persuader grumbles under his breath, but lets the chanting continue; if he had his Axe in hand, it would be another matter. The Empress in her containment coffin cannot hear anything; such is its design.

And Mano..? He continues his songs, his prayers, his chants of all the names he'd ever heard on Angtu so that they are not forgotten. For if he does not mourn them – who will?

The End