"Greetings, Mobia, Mobians, planet Marto. Today is a revolutionary day in the history of your universe."
Across the entire planet, in villages, town squares, cities-wherever Dr. Nikolos had planted a television screen, Mobians stopped and listened.
"I have hand-chosen you to be the first civilization to undergo complete roboticization, and thus, immortality.
"But allow me to introduce myself, though hopefully most of you should know me by now. I am Dr. Ivo Nikolos, human, scientist, theorist. Today, I take on a new title…that of Head of Affairs and Orchestration in Marto. President. King. Commander in Chief. Dictator. Whatever title suites your fancy. The bottom line is, I will now be in charge of conforming this planet to its utmost potential.
"In order to attain this new title…I had to take measures into my own hands…" He paused. When he began speaking again, his voice was set. "Let's be honest with each other. After all, I have spent years speaking in circles around your Queen and People's Council, and I'm tired of it. You people don't know what's good for you. The humans didn't know it back on earth, and you animals didn't know it here either. But I could not allow that to stop me this time."
Footage began to flash across the screens. Images of the burning Capital Aero, the lines of combots marching in, the shattered Capitol…
"My vision is proceeding as planned. As you can see, I am now in full command of your capital. Your Queen is dead. Those members of the People's Council who sided with her as well. Look well upon them. This is the sort of death that meets those who stand in my way. As for the ones who don't? Far over half of your People's Council have chosen to serve me faithfully. A wise move on their part. They will receive positions of great prominence in my utopia, so long as they continue serving me and the kaisers I set over them.
"Now…how will this impact you, you are probably wondering? I needn't overwhelm you with details. But I will try to give you a small picture of what I need you to do over these next years together.
"I need citizens for my new civilization. Volunteers will get first consideration, but some of you will be chosen because you would make an ideal candidate. If you are remarkable in some way, then you have a chance of being accepted. However, slots are limited and this planet has a surplus population. For that reason, there will be an extended sorting process, during which my combots will categorize you based on programmed criteria.
"Also, as I mentioned earlier, I am bringing more of my own race to this planet. They are people who have supported my endeavors on my home world, earth, and I have promised them portions of this planet. I have already made the divisions, and over time they will begin to arrive. I trust that you will not cause them trouble and that you will obey them.
"Again, simply being honest, any life I allow you is a mercy at this stage, so I want no ingratitude. I hate waste, so I decided against taking the simpler depopulation route and exterminating the subgrades among you all at once. It will be a process, and as the process is carried out, I expect you to be compliant, cooperative and patient. I will be watching you, and those who behave as model citizens will be rewarded.
"Those of you who do not resist, will meet your end peacefully, mostly through Mobium extraction. The process takes only a few hours and, thanks to my Mobium evaporator, it is painless. You will literally fall into unconsciousness at least an hour before your Mobium reserves are depleted.
"Those of you who do not only comply, but also help and support me in my cause will be further rewarded. I may give you a choice, to be roboticized as an honorary citizen, or to leave the planet. I will supply the evacuation pod myself, and you are free to relocate to other parts of the universe.
"Those of you who resist will be overpowered eventually, and, if I do not want to roboticize you or utilize you for other means, you will be executed on the Mobium extractor…with the evaporator only half engaged. This means that the gelatinous and solid Mobium in your bodies will not be converted to a gas, and thus, it will not be able to escape through your pores on an atomic level. Instead your solid Mobium will be extracted as a whole, tearing your body into pieces in the process. Depending on where your Mobium collects most heavily in your body, you could die within several minutes, or several agonizing hours.
"As you see, you have several options. Even now as I speak, military units, fresh out of the factories of Robotropolis, are headed on to your villages, cities, and kingdoms, to collect your surrender. Please prepare yourselves for my combots' arrival.
"I believe that is all you need to know. The rest, I will see to. This message will play on repeat for the next three days to give all the opportunity to come and hear."
The screen flickered off for a matter of seconds…and then it restarted.
Shattering into their lives, striking into their hearts. A defeated, terrified people.
The planet had ruptured.
And Mobia would never forget.
