Chapter 54

There had been four Great Ones of the Tetron, four leaders who made the decisions and gave the orders. They met in secret, and except for Krotera, the lowest-ranked, their identities were not known to the general public. Krotera had been their go-between, responsible for communicating their decisions to the people. Now he was disgraced, and Asha dead. Only two were left.

Now that General Tor had taken control of the military research facility, he had no need any longer to hide the fact that he was the third of the Great Ones. He had to take over Krotera's role as mediator. But the identity of the fourth, the ultimate leader, remained a secret. Even General Tor did not know his identity, because the leader insisted on meeting in a pitch-black room. What his subordinates did not know, they could not use against him. And it was in this room that Tor now knelt before him.

"It is going well," he said. "Our troops have seized the control rooms and the bulkheads. We are fully in control of this complex. Vateilika's loyalists will not be able to act against us or cause trouble for us."

"Good," said the leader. "And what of the human intruders?"

Tor paused. "They have defeated Yukabacera," he admitted.

"I see." said the leader. "What are your plans?"

"Do you have any suggestions, my lord?"

"I have a suggestion, and also a command."

"Then give me the command first."

"The prisoner Ruby must be destroyed immediately."

"What!" Tor exclaimed. "But what of the Silver Crystal?"

"She will not lead us to it," said the leader. "We should have realised sooner that no matter what we did, she would not break. But we do not need her now."

"No?"

"These humans have the Silver Crystal with them. I can sense it coming closer. They have brought it right into our hands."

"My lord!"

"I am sure of it. You must find them and take them out with all haste. But first see to it that Ruby is dead, because there is too much risk otherwise. She knows too much now."

"They will not be able to free her."

"That is to be hoped, certainly," said the leader. "But we thought, if I remember rightly, that they would not be able to defeat Yukabacera. You must take no chances. She must die – at once."

"It shall be done."

"Good."

"And – my lord? You were going to make a suggestion for how to deal with the human intruders."

"Yes," said the leader. "Why don't you use one of our security robots?"

"I don't know if any are ready for use," said Tor. "I'll speak to Sentinel Proxima, who is in charge of maintaining them."

"Good," said the leader. "I wish you every success, my General."

The General bowed low, then turned and left the room, his long cloak sweeping behind him as he strode purposefully away.

Author's Note

Sailor Moon cliché: you know you're halfway through a season when The Man Behind The Man puts in an appearance.