Chapter 10

Snot was led forcefully into a room in the center of the Shattermaster. The walls were painted an ugly yellow, and the room was completely bare except for a large chair in the center. And there, in the chair, sat the Supreme Leader of the Federation, Don Viggo de Cappuccino.

Titles aside, he looked highly unpretentious. He was a short man with short black hair and a short black beard, neatly trimmed. Snot was surprised. He had been expecting someone horribly disfigured and menacing, but this man looked rather handsome and almost frail.

And yet…there was a lean and hungry look about his eyes that the patriarchal appearance did not fully hide.

"Ah. The finest pilot in the Separatist fleet. Welcome. I have been expecting you. I trust my men were not hard on you?" he asked. His voice was soft and gentle.

"No, sir," one guard said quickly, "he came very quietly." It was true Snot had hardly put up a fight when they had taken him. He had been so angry with Astrid and that accursed Trio that he had almost welcomed the capture. "We ordered Nut's 1 and 2 to continue tracking the Centennial Condor."

"Good. He no longer needs the handcuffs. You may leave us." The guards and soldiers departed and soon only Snot was left to face the Supreme Leader.

"I am glad to see you." He said again. He pressed a button and a chair rose from the floor, close to his own. "Sit down, please."

Snot did so uncertainly. What was the game here?

For a few minutes they just sat in awkward silence, observing the other.

"So…I have heard that your Princess has deserted you for some mercenary."

"What about it?" Snot asked sharply.

"It just seems such a shame to me. The boy who showed his feelings so clearly, so often, cast aside like a piece of worn out equipment. And for what? For some stranger who lives among the unsavory. Some stranger who will like as not desert her when the next pretty face comes by. Some stranger who has no right to her affections. It is such a shame. Although…if I were you, I should not judge Astrid too harshly. Blame Trio for it," here Snot nodded in agreement, "—and be proud you gave him what he deserved when you sold him out."

Snot was surprised. "How'd you know about that? Have you been reading Fanfiction too?"

"Reading what? 'Fanfiction'? I know about that because the Torque has shown it to me."

Snot snorted. "The Torque?"

"The Torque. The mystical substance that controls the very existence of the Universe. Did they not tell you about it when they briefed you on your last mission? The mission you pulled out of because you needed rest?"

Snot thought a moment. "What does my last mission have to do with anything?"

"It concerned the Torque. Did they not tell you? I thought not. That is how they work. They leave you in the dark while expecting you to blindly obey their every whim and order."

"Oh they probably told me, I just…well, I tend to tune them out during those briefings." He sighed, "I mean, they're so boring! I just wanna fly in and blast something out of the sky, and they go on about strategy and grand schemes—I just don't get that."

"You prefer the simple life," the Supreme Leader smiled, "as do I." He became grave. "But the galaxy becomes difficult, even in victory. Dilemma after dilemma, decision after decision comes up. For example, what shall I do with the Separatists when I win?" He sighed, as if bowed by the cares of office. "I've always known anyone who betrays their government should be punished, and treason is usually punished by death. But I never—I've never wanted such a fate for you, Snot. I've worked my whole life—and I don't apologize for anything—trying to take care of my government. And I have refused to be under anybody else's control. I refused to dance on a string. I don't apologize, that's the way I've lived, and I've lived the way I want, and I've always hoped that once you grew older…for I've paid a great deal of attention to your career, ever since your pilot academy days…that you would one day help me hold the strings. Supreme Leader Snot always had a good ring to it."

"Yeah, it does." Snot had to admit. He brightened at the thought.

"Doesn't it? Think about it, Snot. I am the Supreme Leader of the Federation. I am wrapped in immense power. Power to do anything I like. Ah, I am glad you're alive to see it. I am bigger than all the steel industries, the soda companies, the electronic manufacturers—why, I am bigger than any company or corporation. Even the online shop and delivery services are nothing compared to me! I have nearly all the power in the galaxy a man could possibly have and soon I will have even more of power—power that I might be willing to share with you."

"Why me? I thought Lord Dagur was your right hand man."

The Supreme Leader grew scornful. "Dagur is finished. He had Princess Astrid in his grip and he still hasn't been able to recapture her. He is nothing to me now. But you…I can see something special in you. I can see some power deep inside you that the Separatists won't make use of, either because they can't see it or because they fear it. Of course, there is one small problem…"

Snot eyed him curiously. "What problem?"

Viggo contemplated a moment. "How much do you know about the Torque?"

"Only what you've just told me."

"Do you know of its origins?"

"No."

"I thought as much. I knew the Separatists would not tell you this story."

"Story?"

"Yes. I told you that the Torque is the substance that controls everything in the Universe. To those who learn to use it, it grants immense power. I have the power to see the future, the past, the present, to move things larger than I, and I even wield the power to take life in ways no one else can. And there is more to gain. Such abilities have been clear since time began—"

"When was that?" Snot interrupted.

"A Wednesday in the middle of March. The Torque revealed that to me. But, to continue, only recently has anyone begun to ask where the Torque itself originated from." He smiled. "I have learned the truth. It originated on the lost moon of Eren'dor."

Snot thought. "I think I've heard that name before…"

"The map Princess Astrid stole from this ship? You see, over the years I have sent out teams of archeologists to unearth the secrets of the Torque. Recently, one of them discovered the fragments of an ancient map that led to Eren'dor. But the convoy was attacked by Separatists as it was being delivered to me. Some of the pieces were taken. The ones that reached me were insufficient to find a way to the moon. Evidently the Separatists had the same problem with their portion. So, using the help of a spy named 'Vogue One', they sent Princess Astrid to infiltrate this very ship and steal a digital copy of the fragments I possess. You were supposed to pick her up, but you pulled out and in desperation they hired Trio."

Snot was confused. "I knew something of this, but…what's so special about this moon? Why is everyone going to such lengths to find it?"

"On Eren'dor the Torque, in its most pure shape and essence, is said to take the form of a blue stone—a stone of such power that whoever wields it will become the most powerful being in the universe."

Snot's eyes widened. "Whoa."

"Exactly. The Separatists want it for their own ends. If they obtain it, that means the end of my life and of my government. A new age of tyranny will begin. But if I obtained it—" his eyes burned with lust, his voice rose with excitement, "it would mean the cementing of my power, the end of all rebellions, and the conquest of every galaxy in existence. With such power, I could even create new galaxies. That power would set me up as a very God—and when I have the stone I shall have that power and nothing will hinder me again!"

He dropped the powerful posture. "But of course, I would be quite willing to share it with you. Once we have the stone there will be power enough to go around for all of us. But only through me can you hope to gain that power!"

Snot was stumped by what he was hearing. So the plan had been to obtain an all-powerful stone and control the very cosmos? And they had not thought to tell him that? He felt a surge of anger. Why, he would show them! He would show Astrid he was better than that stupid Trio! He would show everyone!

Then he recalled something unpleasant. "Wait a minute—you said punished by death. Doesn't that mean—?"

Viggo laughed. "You needn't fear for your life! If I was going to execute you for treason I would have done so already."

"But what about Ast? Sorry, I mean, Princess Astrid?"

Viggo meditated. "Well, her crimes are great, but I could be persuaded to issue a few pardons. It would be small potatoes to me. She might even be small potatoes compared to what you could have. Think about it—the second most powerful man in the galaxy, wielding as much power as any man can have. Imagine what you could do with such power."

Snot did. And he liked it.

.

General Vast guided his ship into one of the hangers on the Shattermaster. It was ridiculously easy to get clearance to land, he reflected. Just tell them some big dignitary had arrived and would not tolerate the slightest delay, that the ship had a Separatist design so that the Separatists would assume it was one of theirs, and that the controllers had not been informed of the arrival because no one had felt the need to inform the lower peons and they had better not question decisions from Higher Up. Unknowingly he had used words and threats similar to what Doctor Ingerman had used when rescuing Princess Astrid, with similar results. He landed and quickly made his way towards the center of the ship, where the Supreme Leader would be. He was determined to cut down anyone in his path but, to his surprise, no one appeared. The long corridors were deserted. It was almost as if they wanted him to be there.

Did they? He had to wonder.

There were a few guards in front of the door, but they were easily dealt with. Then he opened the door and strolled in, cool as ice.

And there was Viggo, sitting in his chair, looking equally cool and collected. Snot was there too, rather to the General's surprise, but he kept his attention on Viggo.

"General Vast," the Supreme Leader said calmly, "Have you come to surrender?"

Vast held up a hammer. "In the name of the Separatists, I am here to overthrow you, 'Supreme Leader'."

"Are you threatening me, General?"

"Well obviously! But I'll give you a chance: come quietly and perhaps the Separatists will show mercy."

"The Separatists are finished." Viggo retorted.

"Not yet." Vast said calmly, though deep down he worried about what Viggo meant. What was happening during his absence?

Viggo stood up. He fiddled with an extendible knife in his hand. "It's treason, then."

"Of course it is. That's what it's always been, from your point of view."

With a loud cry the Supreme Leader suddenly lunged at him. General Vast casually swung his hammer and sent him flying into the wall. Snot looked back and forth at them anxiously.

"You're the one who's finished, 'my Lord'," Vast said, approaching the leader on the floor. He enjoyed the sight. "My family will be avenged. The Federation will be destroyed so utterly it will never return. You have lost."

"No." Viggo croaked. He sounded like a cross between a frog and an orc. "No! NO! You have lost!" He raised his hands. Bolts of purple lightning suddenly shot forth from his finger tips at the General. "He's a traitor!"

"I believe we already established that!" Vast instinctively held his hammer in front of him defensively, and the lightning rebounded upon the Supreme Leader, warping and twisting one side of his face!

Viggo cried, "Snot! I have the power to give you anything you want! Full benefits! Medical and Dental! Paid time off! 401K plans and all the fan girls you could possibly ask for! Ohhhhh!" he wailed, "I can't hold him!"

"Don't listen to him, Snot!" Vast cried. It was all he could do to keep his hammer steady.

"Look what he's doing to me!"

"Well maybe if you'd stop shooting that stuff—!"

"Help me, Snot, help me! Together we'll rule the galaxy!" Viggo's voice grew weaker but the lightning was fired with as much strength as ever. Snot was still looking back and forth between the two men, torn between sides. "You must choose! I have the power to give you the girl of your dreams! Don't let him kill me!"

"He's lying, Snot, he'd promise you anything you want! He can't be trusted!"

"I c-can't h-hold him any longer…"

"You said that several minutes ago!"

The lightning did not slacken.

"I'm…too weak! Ohhhhhhh, my face, my face!"

"Well maybe if you'd stop shooting that stuff—!" General Vast said again and, as if on cue, the lightning stopped. Viggo's head flopped back onto the floor. The left side of his face was hideously covered in red burn marks, as if the veins had swollen horribly. The eye was milky white.

"I'm…too…weary…Snot, help me…"

"I've had enough of this!" Vast cried, "I'm going to end this once and for all!"

Snot stirred at last. "What?"

"I'm going to avenge my family and strike the final blow for the Separatists!"

Viggo sat up indignantly. "I had nothing to do with your family's disappearance!"

"Liar! You feared I was so popular I might challenge your position! So you decided to crush my spirit by taking those I loved most from me!" Vast raised his hammer.

Viggo became genuinely worried now. "No! Don't do it! I have unlimited resources! We'll help you find them!"

"Don't do it!" Snot suddenly cried. "I mean…not like this! We're supposed to be the moral ones! He should…stand trial!"

"Trial? He has control of every court in the Federation! Besides, he's not worth the effort." Vast snarled. His eyes glinted. "I am worthy enough to be a judge, and I find him guilty!"

"No!" Viggo pleaded. "Snot, I'll give you free chocolate every other week!" Vast raised his hammer higher and aimed.

That sealed the deal for Snot. He shouted "NO!" and threw himself at the General. He might have tried to move a mountain for all the good it would have done him; the General was such a powerful man. He did not even budge as Snot tried to get him to move.

"What are you doing?" he demanded, looking down at the intimidated boy.

"Um…trying to stop you?" Snot said timidly. Viggo rolled his one good eye.

Vast pushed him away almost lazily. "Now, Viggo, where were we?"

But Viggo had seized the opportunity to roll away and out of reach, and at that very moment the door opened and a host of guards in red burst in, weapons out.

"Well it's about time!" Viggo growled, picking himself up.

One guard said nervously, "You said to leave you, sir. You never said anything about when to come back!"

"Captain, I don't want this stunted moron in my sight again!"

Vast was surrounded almost at once. He was prepared to go down fighting but Viggo raised a stun gun and fired, laughing as he did so. "Yes General, this was a trap. I knew you would come. The Torque revealed it to me! Now I give you a taste of my Power! Magnificent Power!"

Vast only staggered a bit, dazed.

Viggo fiddled with the weapon. "Hang on a moment, let me adjust the setting." He fired two more times, and finally Vast fell to the floor. "Impressive. This usually works on the first try."

It took the combined strength of each and every guard to drag the General from the room.

"I don't want anything to happen to him until the Separatists are destroyed." The Supreme Leader ordered. "Until then, keep him alive." He turned to an aide. "Prepare a public statement. I was brutally attacked in my room—in my own room, mark that—the attempt on my life has left me scarred, but my powers have never been strong. Etc, etc, etc, you can fill out the rest with the usual. You may go." He looked delighted as he spoke to himself, "this is further proof that the Torque is on my side. The visions told me this attack would come and that I would survive it! And it is true!"

Snot sank into a chair. "What have I done?"

"Not much," the Supreme Leader retorted, "But there is the potential for you to do more and fulfill your destiny."

"Did you mean what you promised?"

"Yes I did."

"Even the bit about the free chocolate?"

"Yes, yes," Viggo said impatiently, "I am a reasonable man. But now we have greater things to worry about."

But Snot was not entirely sold yet. "Just promise me—"

"Well?"

"Just promise me I get Astrid when this is over."

"Consider it done."

"Really?"

"I am a man of my word." The Leader replied imperiously.

Snot nodded. "Then I'm on your side. Be my friend, Supreme Leader?"

Don Viggo de Cappuccino held out his hand and Snot kissed it. "Good. Good. A powerful member of the Federation you shall be. Henceforth, Snot, you shall be known as…Lord Snot."

He bowed his head. "I am honored…" he raised his pinky in salute, "Health and Wealth to the Supreme Leader!"

There would be neither of those for General Vast or to the Separatist fleet they were now speeding towards, if the Supreme Leader had his way.