Red Eye Galactic Base #34
Sector III, Section 20
Somewhere near Alpha Centauri
The massive, cloaked mothership hovered over the heart of the planet system. The planets and bodies orbiting it seemed to be following even their commands today. Their sudden decision to conquer the new planets had been successful.
But there were many growing concerns about the ability of the Empire. Many in the Imperial System were getting worried that they were truly stretching the limits. Especially with these new 17 planets under their control.
"Too many people, sir," a Head Genetic Engineer had said to him. "And we have no more space for them."
The Commander of the mothership laughed. It had truly amused him. He knew for a fact that nothing would ever jeopardize the existence of the Red Eye Empire. In his deep thoughts, a young captain came to say, "Sir, I must say that the success of the conquest is really a great tribute to you. I am sure our Great Emperor Igétis will reward you generously."
Killing Spiny is enough reward for me. "Is the Military Chief here as I instructed?"
"Yes, sir. He's waiting outside right now."
"Tell him to come in. Afterwards you may leave back to your post. See that everything is still ready."
"Yes, sir." He marched away, his silicon armor boots clanking on the floor.
The Commander stared out into the sparkling white-dotted velvet of outer space. Alpha Centauri was the last stop before what everyone in the universe knew as Sector I, Section 1-A. The Solar System.
"You called for me, sir?"
He turned around to look at the soldier in his dark-cloaked suit. He then summoned all of the Army Sergeants. They knew the rule: No speaking in presence of the Military Chief and the Ship Commander when they are both present.
"We indeed have achieved a great moral victory in the galaxy. Yet, we must continue with our work. Listen carefully to my instructions."
"Yes, sir."
"I want you to get as many men down there, soldiers and civilian workers. We need to do a lot of things before we can make it adequate for our use. And send as many Scout Troopers as possible to the rings and moons of all planets to find iridium."
"Yes, sir."
"And, also this…on the entire western half of this planet we are near, I want you to mine for three things, and just these three. Iron, iridium, and silicon. That's all we are interested in. Am I clear?"
"Sir, yes, sir!"
"Very well. You will be later instructed as what to do in order to retrieve the metals and give it to the proper authorities, as there have been some minor changes. Dismissed."
"Sir, yes, sir." He turned his gaze to the silent men listening. "All right, you heard the man! Let's get a move on it! Go! Go! Go! Go! Go! Go!"
When the sounds of their footsteps became distant he retired to the next chamber, all the advisors waiting impatiently. As soon as he sat down, he said, "So…what you gentlemen are saying is that we are running out of space?"
"Yes sir," the Chief Advisor answered.
"We have a limited food and energy supply that is being worsened by rapid population growth and these energy sources are vulnerable to subtle attacks."
The Commander was tempted to laugh twice at the same joke. Instead, he said, "I don't believe I've mentioned this, so I will say it. We had a similar problem, when I still wasn't in office and none of you young ones even existed. Your parents were not even a zygote. We needed life, so we did the logic thing: steal life. We do the same now. We steal life."
"From where sir?"
He opened a panel and the vast fabric of space appeared before them. "From out there. Plenty of it. There's plenty of life out there."
"Sir, we may have all that, but our lifelines are still quite vulnerable. And overpopulation continues to be a problem. What if…"
The Commander shot the advisor with a star Taser. "We. Are. Fine. We have no need to fear. We've conquered a galaxy in another dimension, even. How much life was in that galaxy? All of them were incredibly inhabitable for life. Just like the ones we just conquered. You don't know about this. But I do. It's a new chemical liquid/gas combination that has the ability to transform a toxic atmosphere into one plenty filled with nitrogen and oxygen. And it can make the soil fertile. We could even grow tropical plants on Neptune!"
"How new is this technology?" the Financial Advisor asked.
"Quite new. I was the first one to be informed. And in case you're wondering, they did make a counterattack. We have another," he said, raising a glowing red dart. "We also have one that instantly turns an atmosphere and its water and land so toxic and inadequate for life that its entire population will die within three minutes." He sneered as the red glow reflected off their red eyes. "We use it when a planet is…stubborn."
He turned his face away at a picture of Earth on the wall over the dartboard. He threw the dart and the picture instantly turned into a ball of green and gray lifeless rock. "We'll get more than what we ever wanted. So much more."
Sauropolis, Amarkia
Department of Emergency Handling
Larry had dragged me away from my lovely conversation with Lilia. I had no idea what had happened. All I knew is that it was a full-on red alert and it was critical. When we finally reached the office, everyone was running all over the place and screaming into phones.
"Sir," a soldier said running up to us. "Damages are very heavy. About 18% of all the forest in Russia is gone. And 15% of the grain in the world market has disappeared."
"Sir!" another one yelled across the room. "We've picked up anti-gravitational ships in the upper mesosphere."
"What in my father's name is happening?!" I yelled.
Larry had a look of complete horror. "The Red Eyes, they are attacking. Strangely, they are not killing, just stealing. Mostly trees, crops, livestock, and even ice. Antarctica just lost 10% of all its ice."
It's starting.
The war Larry had predicted.
Bloody…gruesome…long…highly costly…
If I'd only known just how costly it was going to be.