"What are the losses?" the Supreme Commander asked in a highly concerned tone. The Principal Secretary of the organization sat down and handed him several sheets of paper. None of them were without mass killings of forest and civilizations.

"Quite heavy, Supreme Commander Nexxoramus," the Principal Secretary answered.

"So…Amarkia now has the Terra-Track. And the Red Eyes didn't even give us a chance to have even a little fun."

The dark, heavy feeling of emptiness was not new. They were, after all, so far from any celsestial object. No one had idea of their origin or where they came from, but since he had memory, Nexxoramus always remembered that this is where he belonged.

He had grown up and followed in the footsteps of the Great Eternal Leader of the IEO, his main role model, and the greatest rival and enemy of the Amarkian Royal Family and of all those who were for justice and peace in the universe.

It had been 3,500 years since Amarkia had embarrassed the IEO at the Galactic Battle of Thelssos. He was known by his closest friends and subordinates as Ecthros Antipalos; his Amarkian name. But by almost everyone else, he was simply known as Rexy.

Though his common name was far less sinister, it didn't lessen what he had done. It was him who was often impugned with the death of King Agape and his Queen. However, to Nexxoramus' knowledge, there had been no evidence of that.

Most wrote it off as simply a rebellion instigated by disgruntled relatives of the Royal Family and other rebel groups.

Nevertheless, when Rexy died in battle, Nexxoramus was chosen as the Supreme Commander of the Intergalactic Evil Organization. Though everyone criticized him by saying that the name was in no way fear-instigating, he had ignored them all.

Now thousands of years later, he was known at his young age as being even more notorious than his idol.

But Nexxoramus would not rest until he knew that Amarkia and its allies were exterminated form the universe and he could rule it in the way that Rexy had only dreamed of.

But even if they did manage to do that, they would still have to deal with a much more deadly and ominous force: Red Eyes.

The Red Eyes attacked everyone and everything. They made no allies and betrayed all those who had attempted it. They often attacked many main bases and planets belonging to the IEO.

They didn't need a reason or a provocation to attack.

They just did.

"So what do you suggest?" he asked the members of Board of Directors sitting across from him.

"We obviously are in no position to attack at the moment," one of them said.

"Yes, if we do, we would provoke the Red Eyes. And the last thing we want is more trouble from them. They already destroyed two of our greatest space fighters," said another member.

"We cannot afford another great loss if we are to retrieve the Terra-Track from Amarkia. And even without the Red Eyes, Amarkia is still a formidable force to deal with," another said.

"What do you propose doing?" Nexxoramus asked.

The Leader of the Board arose from his seat. "We recommend waiting out. We are almost certain that the Red Eyes are preparing an even deadlier attack in the next few hours or even minutes. We wait for them, then we'll just scavenge what's left."

They all nodded. "You are wise, Supreme Commander. May the spirit and memory of Lord Ecthros Antipalos be with you and guide you in his steps to take this organization to glory in the universe."

85 million light-years from Earth

Red Eye Galactic Base #56

Section IV, Sector 17

Council Chamber Meeting

The champagne cork went flying into the next room out into deep space. Cheers and applauses filled the room. "Well, gentlemen," the Council Chief said pouring the blood champagne into the organ-class cups. "We may not have acquired the Terra-Track from those thieves."

"But we did manage to leave our footprint, didn't we?" said the Military Advisor.

"We sure did. A toast, gentlemen."

They all raised their glasses. "In the memory of our ancestors' organization, The Great Conglomerate, to success in restoring their name to be rulers of the universe, and to the death of King Spiny and the end of Amarkia and, if we want to, of Earth itself."

They all cheered and drank.

"So, what now?" said the Financial Administrator.

"Well, we scared them. What more?" the Council Assistant Chief asked in glee. "And we killed and injured dozens. What more can we ask for?"

"Yes, but we didn't kill the King or his Family. Even the Palace managed to escape with only broken windows and slight roof damage."

"Oh, don't worry, dear boy," the Council Chief said. "Our Great Emperor, Igétis, will be pleased with what we've done. No doubt he will soon command us to launch another attack on that worthless blue jewel, Earth."

The doors burst open and all council members trained their supernova semi-automatic guns on the messenger, Atholet. "Sir, sir! Emperor Igétis has given the order! Operation Requite is now underway! All the generals and commanding military officers are preparing!"

The Council Chief turned his gaze to his fellow member. "What did I tell you? Chief Tatitamte!" he said to the Military Advisor.

"Sir!"

"Order 5,000 thousand of our best military spaceships and order 5 million troops! Set a course for Earth! This will definitely please our Great Emperor."

"Sir, yes, sir!" He extended out both hands, bringing his thumbs together, then forming a triangle with his other fingers. He then said the Red Eye Salute, "Live the memory The Great Conglomerate! Prosperity in the universe! Down with all those who oppose us!"

He marched out the room, the Council Chief, pleased with himself as he drank the last sip of fermented blood.

The Palace, Amarkia, Earth

"Ow! That hurts, you know?" I yelled at the doctor.

"I know it does, believe me. A gunshot wound is no small bandage job." When he finished and wrapped a gauze around my elbow he stood up. "Very well. That should hold it. Just keep it that way for about two weeks or so."

"What about Darla and Lilia?" I asked.

"They'll do fine. Darla can go home, but Lilia will have to be kept down in the Bunker Medical Room. She sedated now. So she just needs tons of rest. Let me know if you need anything."

After he left I got up and started for the kitchen. This may sound crazy but after all that action nearly dying I was starving. As I was making myself a sandwich, Larry walked in. "Spiny, I've got news."

"Good or bad?"

"Terrible."

"I don't want to know."

"You need to."

"Just say it then!"

He took a deep breath. "Okay…there are five thousand Red Eye spaceships on the way to Earth. We just picked them up on our Space Radar."

They're coming back.

For what they want.