Defenders of the Earth: This Is Their Side Story
"The Princess Makes Her Move"
12 Years Ago
Dimension K
Planet Mongo
Ming brushed a hand along the balcony rail, holding his gaze on the crowd below. Thousands had attended his royal wedding — Ming's second wedding in the past few months. His previous wife was now laid to rest. He had just married that woman's child. Hadea was a girl of only seventeen years. Some thought that she was too young to rule.
Ming didn't care. He wanted her bad. He'd felt that way ever since they'd met. By marrying the mother, he'd had them both. That had made it easier to reach a choice. He'd maintained a typical bond with his wife, and enjoyed a secret affair with the girl.
Once he'd decided it was time to choose, there was no question of whom he preferred. He wanted Hadea, and her alone. That meant he had to get her mother out of the way. Hadea went along with it quietly.
Now they were here. Husband and wife.
Hadea stepped forth and raised her chin toward the crowd, a crown sparkling above her beautiful face. "When our mighty king took my mother's hand, I knew I would have to rule here one day." She threw a sniff in, and frowned a tad. "I just never dreamed that it would be so soon."
Ming grinned a bit, then straightened his face. He loved this little innocent act of hers.
"If only I could undo the accident. If only I could bring Mother back to us..." She took a quick breath. "But that is a thought of mere fantasy. I must embrace my reality." Hadea pressed her palm right against Ming's own. "I must rule well with my husband now."
He held Hadea close as they cuddled in bed. Her skin was precious and delicate.
"Your plan truly worked," she said with awe.
Ming was amused by her tone of voice. She'd doubted his ability to get things done. That would surely change in the years ahead. "You'll find that my plans always work, my dear."
Hadea pulled away and got onto her feet. "I desire air." She crossed the gold carpet of the candlelit room, stepping outside on the balcony. Holding the rail as they'd done before, she settled her gaze on the sparkling stars.
Octon rose right beside the bed, standing straight up from a dormant crouch. Several lights glistened along his plates. "What plan was she referring to...sire?"
Ming sprawled out on the silky sheets. "I poisoned Queen Lynn so I could marry Hadea." People thought her mother had overdosed.
Immediately, Hadea returned, walking back in with a hand on her hip. "Octon," she uttered, "play that recording."
Octon twinkled: "I poisoned Queen Lynn so I could marry Hadea." The voice in the recording was undoubtedly Ming's.
Ming sat up, eyeing Hadea. "What have you done?" He shifted his attention to Octon again. Why had it recorded without his consent? "Octon!" he barked. "Delete that recording."
Octon made absolutely no response.
"Octon!" he growled.
Hadea stepped forth. "Octon," she said, "send that recording to the major news stations — all of the ones we discussed before."
"Yes...highness," Octon replied.
Ming shot up, discarding the sheets. "What are you doing?!"
Octon twinkled. Then it hummed. Ming could tell it'd just sent a signal out. He felt a shiver crawling along his spine.
"Octon..." Hadea crossed her arms on her chest. "Play that recording on the palace's speakers. Reach every speaker throughout the house."
Ming glanced up at the nearest one, seeing it nestled along the wall. The palace had a number of intercoms, a very easy way to communicate. Suddenly, he heard his voice: "I poisoned Queen Lynn so I could marry Hadea." The message was broadcast throughout the room. It sounded like it'd reached other rooms as well. A bit of static followed. Then it cleared up: "I poisoned Queen Lynn so I could marry Hadea... I poisoned Queen Lynn so I could marry Hadea... I poisoned Queen Lynn so I could marry Hadea... I poisoned Queen Lynn so I could marry Hadea..."
Hadea stood in place, arms still crossed, looking quite smug as the statement played.
"Octon!" he bellowed. "End the transmission!"
"I poisoned Queen Lynn so I could marry Hadea... I poisoned Queen Lynn so I could marry Hadea..."
Ming eyed Hadea, brimming with rage. "How did you reprogram Octon?"
Her eyebrow rose. "I'm not the shallow girl whom you think I am. After I altered his circuits a bit, I told him to question you once I stepped out. You handled the rest with your cockiness."
The doors swung open. Guards stepped in. Ming eyed all of them fearfully.
"Captain!" Hadea called the leader in fright. "You've heard his confession. Arrest this man!"
Ming lunged at her. "YOU LITTLE- -"
The guards tackled Ming before he reached the girl. He squirmed on the floor at Hadea's feet. She placed one right upon his quivering face.
"Ming the Merciless..." Hadea declared. "You are now stripped of your title here. I, Hadea, rule Mongo alone." She moved backward. "Take him away."
The guards picked him up and escorted him off.
"Octon," she uttered, "end the transmission."
The speakers went quiet.
Ming was dragged out. The last thing he heard as he was leaving the room was the sound of Hadea talking to the computer.
"Queen Hadea..." she said with pride. "That certainly has a nice ring to it."