Chapter 2: Peaceful Beginnings
"LIMIT! TSALI! Time for dinner!" A sweet female voice came from the small house. Outside in the fields, two foxes, a small orange fox named Limit, and a deep brown fox named Tsali, were playing. The star that Thyferra orbited around was quite bright and provided plenty of light and heat.
"Coming, Mother!" Limit called.
"We'll be right there!" Tsali added.
Limit and Tsali were brother and sister. Tsali was the elder one at age 10, while Limit was the younger one at age 7, going on 8. Both of them loved each other more then almost anything else; no, not as in romance love, but the unbreakable love between siblings. Each of them thought the other was the best thing since sliced bread, in other words.
Both Tsali and Limit ran through the wide open field to their house. Though it was actually quite large by Thyferran standards, it was not very large compared to some Seedrian structures. It was a long and tall house studded with solar windows.
As they approached the door, the automatic mechanism activated, and it opened automatically for them. Each door was rigged with alarms in case a thief would try to come in. But fortunately, there was little need for those.
They were met with a sweet smile from a tall female kitsune inside the house baking something. Christine Z'Charon was the mother of the brother and sister duo, and she was a schoolteacher who eventually rose up to become moderately powerful, thanks to her husband's position. However, she was very modest, and held no title.
"Hello Mother!" Limit greeted like an adorable child. Christine picked her up and squeezed her tightly.
"I'm glad you both came in! Could you help Mommy and..." Christine said, but she was interrupted by the doorbell ringing.
"I'll get it!" Tsali offered, and he remotely opened the door. Standing right there was a tall gray fox; the father, Tyler Z'Charon. Mr. Z'Charon was an arbiter-general of the Thyferran colonial government. But he was modest, and despite being confident, did not have huge pride in it. He was holding a large briefcase and was wearing a coat and tie.
"Daddy!" Tsali greeted happily, giving his father a great big hug.
"Hey there, my boy!" His father replied.
"Dear, you're home early," Christine also greeted.
"Yep. The Council ended early today. It was a bit unusual; we were talking about the possibility of a Demon invasion. But of course, that was not possible; Maledict made a treaty and would never attack us, and of course, the Seedrians will protect us. Bit odd, eh?" Tyler explained.
"Well, I got dinner all ready. Limit is setting out the table," Christine replied.
"I'm just gonna go change and I'll be right down," Tyler explained, and went upstairs to his room. Tsali walked over to his mom.
"Mother, what was Dad talking about?" Tsali asked.
"Oh nothing, dear. It's politics," Christine told her son.
"Politics?" The young kitsune inquired.
"Nevermind. You'll learn it when you are older," Christine said, and went to go get Limit.
Tsali stood there, inquiring in his head what the word "Politics" meant. It intrigued him, since it was what his father did. But he was interrupted from thought by the smell of food on the table, and he ran to go see what it was.
All the food had been placed, and Tsali's family had already sat down. The meal was a large tin of borscht, a mound of potatoes, a large salad, and a fat grilled suffley (an animal native to Thyferra and the Thyferran version of chicken).
"Oooh, looks good, especially the suffley," Tsali commented on the food, and sat down.
"Let's say grace, everyone," Tyler suggested, and everyone clasped their hands as they recited a common before-dinner prayer;
Bless, O Altus, these gifts of our family
Of which we are about to recieve,
Through Thy bounty Altus our Lord,
Hallowed by Thy name, forever and ever,
Amen
Everybody finished the prayer, and began to eat.
"Could you pass the borscht, please?" Tsali asked politely to his mother.
"Yes, young man," Christine replied to her son, and passed the large tin of soup over to her son. Borscht was a mainstay food of all Thyferran colonists. it consisted of soup mixed with veggies and pieces of suffley meat. Tsali drank it up in an instant.
"Umm...Could I have some more?" He asked.
"Let everybody else have some first, son," Tyler taught.
"And don't eat that fast, you'll get a stomachache, or you'll choke," Christine lectured slightly.
"You say that all the time, Mother," Limit said.
"Well, of course, darling. It's a lesson for every meal," Christine stated.
"I do have one question..." Tsali stated after a pause of silence and eating.
"Yes, what is it?" Tyler asked his son.
"...You told me about something called 'war' that doesn't happen here, and you spoke of it as something horrible; what is war, exactly?" Tsali asked. Both of the young fox's parents looked at each other apprehensively.
"Well, I guess you're old enough to understand," Tyler said, putting down his fork. "Let me explain; war is conflict and violence between two enemies who do not get along, like I told you. It is horribly terrifying, and innocent people get killed or mutiliated and lives are destroyed by it. Hundreds of years of dedicated work can be flushed down the drain in an instant. That is why I taught you to be a pascifist. War is terrible, and should never happen. I think that's all that needs to be explained. Do not forget about your grandfather, and what happened to him because of war."
Tsali and Limit grimaced; their grandfather had been a part of a group of volunteers sent to fight for the Seedrian government during the Ishur Crisis, a great war on Planet Seedrius about 30 years previous between the government and rebels. He had lost both of his legs in an artillery strike and had been shot twice in each lung. Ever since, he was a paraplegic and had to use a respirator to breathe.
"Okay, thanks for explaining that," Tsali said.
"No problem, lad," Tyler replied.
---
A few hours later, the sky was dark with night, and various lights were being put out across the neighbourhood. Tsali and Limit, who both shared a room, got into bed. Both Tyler and Christine came in to say good-night to their children.
"Good night, both of you kids," Tyler parted after kissing them both.
"Daddy and Mommy will be at work tommarrow, so just don't get into trouble, alright?" Christine also said goodnight to them and kissed them.
"Good night guys!" Tsali laid down. Limit had fallen asleep almost immediatly, but Tsali didn't. He didn't usually go to sleep until later.
But this time, there was another reason. Last night, he had nightmares of death, fire, and destruction at the hands of hideous creatures, and he saw his family being cut down by a robed figure.
He had no clue what they meant, but a part of him felt like he would see soon enough.
---
Lord Maledict sat stonily on his elaborately sci-fi black throne (fully equipped with mongo drinkholders and a laptop), which was swiveled backwards to the collection of large red moniters on the back wall; the Main Demon Command (MDC) computer.
The hedgehog-humanoid-reptile tribrid sat in deep foresight and deep battle meditation. He had recently been having disturbing predictions of the future; the only clues he had to their meaning were the predictions of a dark-blue two-tailed kitsune, a black two-tailed kitsune, a yellow-orange two-tailed kistune, and a young female Seedrian. He knew already whom one of them were; the young Seedrian was only named "Cosmo" but he had no idea who the foxes were, except for the black one, whom he knew as the future persona of the Thyferran colonist he was spying on; Tsali Z'Charon.
However, one of the most disturbing was one of his future most-recent ancestor, one who hadn't even been born yet; the so-called Sonic the Hedgehog. The Devil knew that the blue hedgehog would follow in her footsteps and fight the Demon Empire like all of his ancestors, and against his own true "father".
Maledict had the gift of foresight; a little addition to his power, being the Devil, the Lord of Villians, the Evil of Evils (which actually is not true compared to others he had known). He had made titles, many names. To his people, Maledict's official name was "His Majesty Emperor Maledict, Greater Son of Heaven of the Empire and all Imperial Domains."
But he wanted to shift back to his plan.
If the Seedrians were not eliminated, the Devil ruminated, then they would rise up and rebel against the Demon Empire, just as Maledict foresaw they would eventually do if he attacked them. However, if they were exterminated, then there would be no workers for his next major scientific endeaver.
Maledict's scientific idea; the creation of the Ultimate Weapon.
That's the whole reason he had his eyes on this Tsali kid; Tsali was very deeply attuned to Chaos Energy, and would make the perfect specimen for testing.
However, through an ingenious strategy of betrayel, trickery, and battle, he very well could get the Seedrians to literally do ALL the work for him. Maledict actually did not want to really CAPTURE Tsali, but to knock him out and leave him there. Then, the Seedrians would find him and take him back... And then, Maledict's plan would slowly unfold.
He was interrupted by the door behind him opening, and as he swiveled his chair, a figure futtered in.
This figure was Beelzebub, the Lord of Flies, and carrying the title of Demon No. #2 in the Demon hierarchy. Along with being Honerary Chairman of the IRD (Intelligence and Reconassiance Department), he was also the head scientist of the DST (Demon Science Team), along with being First Lord of the Admiralty. Intelligence and cunning were his specialities, rather than fighting prowess, but unlike most stereotypical intelligent characters, he was not without a hefty tray of weapons, including his two gold-plated spike chakrams that he used as his premier weapons.
Beelzebub was a large wasp/fly hybrid with no legs; he was always levitating. His wings made the ol' annoying buzzing sound as they flapped. He was wearing a purple crown on his head, along with purple tassels on his body. The barbs covering his skin were grayish, and, as one of his attacks, could literally shoot out of his body like darts and regrow later.
"Master," the Lord of Flies stated.
"Hello there, chap," Maledict said in a humorously bad fake British accent. However, Beelzebub, always one not in the mood for comedy, didn't even titter. The only time he was every flamboyant was when he was raping capture female POWs with his stinger for his insatiable sexual desires. That was something all janitors feared more than anything; it was nearly impossible to clean up all the blood and organs and body fluid and radioactive acid off the floor and/or furniture afterwards.
"Spies from the IRD have made contact with the subject for your Ultimate Weapon project. Nobody even suspects they're there, as usual," he said.
"Ah yes. Where be Astorath?" Maledict asked.
"He is gathering the attack force, just like you ordered. He is finished, and awaiting your orders," Beelzebub replied.
"Good, for once, he isn't a retarded ass. Get it, Ass? Like, in Asstorath?" The Devil joked, but yet again, Beelzebub had a stone face. "Now, leave and do whatever you need to do. I need to get Astorath on the line." In reply, the Lord of Flies dilligently left the hallowed throne room.
The Devil swiveled his chair back to the MDC terminal. After checking that all of his com systems were go, he pitched in a call to Astorath.
"Yes, who is this? Another rascal?" A low voice pitched in.
"In fact, this happens to be the Emperor. Get me Astorath on the phone. Now," Maledict said in a humorously sarcastic voice.
"OMG, I'm so sorry, uhh, I'll patch through to him right now! He seems to be asleep right now,"
"Then wake him!" Maledict ordered.
A response instantly came, and live video feed from what appeared to be the bridge of a Demon warship. However, the predominant thesis was the looming figure standing at attention.
This other figure was Astorath, the Prince of Darkness. He held the card of Demon No. #3 in the Demon hierarchy, just one short of his archrival, Beelzebub. As well as being the Commander-in-Chief of the Demon Army, he was also the Lord of Hell Knights, the principal warrior caste of the Demon caste structure. He had a very low IQ, and was notable for his corruption even by Demon standards. Brute force and strength alone was his speciality, though he was smart enough to know how to think strategically in the thick of battle. Despite Astorath's stupidity and the fact the Maledict often held him in contempt in front of his other colleagues, the Devil actually had a soft spot for the Prince of Darkness.
Astorath was a very tall and extremely muscular humanoid, like an immensely tall and buff version of a primate Human. His skin was a deep red with black blotches, and he had large salivating teeth, just like his Hell Knight brethren. He had a bald, smooth head and piercing electric-yellow eyes. He also appeared very tired, probably from yet another night of wild drinking.
"Whaddya want now?" Astorath said in a very tired voice, though he tried his best to hide it.
"Astorath, the time has come, if you know what I mean," Maledict serenly said. Astorath smiled.
"Ahh yeah, I get it," Astorath stated.
"Prepare to commence Operation Ranch Hand. Ready your assault force, and take up blockade position above Planet Thyferra. Also, ready your chemical land weapons on your ships and landing craft; we're gonna need a LOT of those on hand to slaughter all the Thyferran settlers. Make sure they don't detect your fleet; if you can, use some of those new cloaking devices on your ships, for stealth and suprise is crucial to this op. We attack at 1500 hours. But remember, do NOT kill Tsali; leave him there, and make sure he survives your Base Alpha-Zero strike," the Devil explained his orders.
"Whatevah ya say. Over and out," the Prince of Darkness replied, despite the fact that he didn't know why his Master wanted to leave the person he was looking for to be found by the Seedrians, and the comlink shut off.
'We must be descreet. The slightest attention from any foreigners, and Operation Ranch Hand is finished. It can't fail; it's too crucial to my awesome plans. But I can trust Astorath will handle it; well, hopefully,' the Devil thought.
Afterwards, peace treaties aside, Maledict knew he would sooner or later HAVE to invade Planet Seedrius. It was a place infested with infidels and other undesirables. That's why he had a new operation for dealing with them; Operation Weedwhacker, the extermination of the Seedrian rabble. And he would use the Prince of Darkness once again for the job, for Astorath's sheer brutality would easily prevail.
---
Astorath stepped back from the console and turned around. Astorath was currently on the bridge his Demon flagship, DSS Indominatable. It was 30 kilometers long (11 kilos longer than a Super Star Destroyer and 5 kilometers longer than standard flagships). It was superior over its other flagship brethren for the fact that it was modified by a superpowerful coaxial proton beam, capable of vaporizing groups of ships in space and (used in a ground attack role) whole cities and areas in an instant.
It was equipped with, in exact statistics; thirty 45-in hypervelocity plasma turrets, 15 plasma torpedo launchers (equipped with a supply of 500 torpedos), 345 .303dm antiaircraft defense weapons, and 252 multi-purpose 9-in turbolasers (used in close-combat engagements with other captial ships). The ship was protected by 5 layers of shields, more than the 4 layers on normal flagships, and it had over 50 meters of Demon alloy from bow to stern. The Indominatable was invincible; that was no boast. It really was scientifically proven to be invincible.
The bridge, also resembling the bridge of a Star Destroyer, was smaller than most. A large pane of fiberglass window was at the very front, with the command ditch flanking a small bridge to the front command area. The biggest disadvantage of Demon ships was that their bridges were very obvious; all Demon bridges on captial ships were on large command towers near the rear, also like a Star Destroyer. To compensate, the shields around the command tower were much stronger than the rest.
Astorath's fleet for Operation Ranch Hand consisted of 5 heavy cruisers and 7 destroyers, with 2 battleships and Indominatable leading the way. The plan was quite simple in both planning and execution; several gunship groups would fly over the entire planet spraying chemical weapons like napalm and poison gas, killing everybody that wasn't saftely sheltered inside. Then, several brigades would land to finish the job quetly and dispose of any survivors, and to look for the one the Devil was seeking. Finally, after the fox the Devil wanted was safely left on the planet, Astorath would order a so-called "Base Alpha-Zero" orbital bombardment, to reduce the tranquil world of Thyferra to a desolate, bleak, lava-filled wasteland forever shrouded in enternal darkness. Maledict had named it Operation Ranch Hand because it was akin to a human cowboy rounding up his flock; the Demons were rounding up the Thyferrans just like that.
A Base Alpha-Zero was an operation where the ships in orbit would bombard a planet until its crust was reduced to molton and glass slag. It was a legendary example of Demon terror. To the Prince of Darkness, the amount of ships he got for the job was a bit overkill; indeed, the two battleships could quickly shatter the entire planet just like glass in short order on their own. But it didn't matter. After all, Thyferra was a big planet, and the more ships, the faster it would take.
"Prepare ships for attack positions. Do not fire unless fired upon... Or until we are ordered to," Astorath ordered remotely to all ships in his small fleet. Each ship moved all around the plant, putting some space between each of them. The ships moved slowly, despite their massive engines.
Astorath was now waiting for the order to begin, waiting to initiate what his Master intended to do in his elaborate plan for domination.