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7.
The new Commander
In the distance the smoke still rises from some village that has tried to resist.
Where the inhabitants surrendered everything was cleaner: they were observed, selected, the strongest individuals were taken to the spaceship and all the others were erased without making much noise. Someone, however, continues to fight: not everyone understands that they have no hope against me, but I don't blame them. Since the cities of this planet are so far away one from each other, many have not been able to have a practical example of my power: for this, unfortunately, my troops have had to sacrifice some potential good warrior in order to show them what it means to oppose me.
The last sip of the drink they offered me flows down my throat and I find it too sweet for my tastes. I place the goblet on the arm of the chair and look down at the Madorian who brought it to me, head of one of the villages adjacent to the one I personally destroyed. A village that surrendered without a word. Probably the rumor of my presence have convinced everyone that it's useless to resist.
«What do you think, Lord Frieza?» he says, his voice trembling. I smile at the thought that he certainly believes that his life depends on my level of satisfaction with that drink. It's not entirely false, though; for how he presented it to me, I would have been very disappointed if I hadn't liked it.
I snap my tongue against the palate savoring an aftertaste that is definitely better than the original flavor.
«Nothing special, but it can be pleasant. Load as much of it as you can and, if someone in the villages knows how to produce it, bring them and the necessary raw materials on board too. I'll have a hold reserved for you. You will be the coordinator of the production and processing of the nectar.»
«Thank you, Lord Frieza» he sighs with visible relief.
«What did you say your name is?»
«Anoria, my Lord.»
«You've had some guts, Anoria. Some of your fellow men are safe thanks to you. Let it not be said that I'm heartless.»
I owe it to him. I was able to perceive his desperation when he asked me to spare the lives of the members of his village by offering me their drink as the main motivation, almost as if he understood that I was not interested in tear-wrenching talks. His intuition has been repaid; after all, I can't live on conquest alone, it also takes a little pleasure.
He bows deeper and I wave my hand to him.
«Now go. My élite will escort you to your rooms.»
As he and my men move towards the exit, the sliding door pops open. Oregan, commander of the second legion, peeps out followed by some soldiers escorting a large Madorian with dark lips and deep pink stained skin. A real monster.
Oh my. There's not a moment of rest.
The soldiers kneel while the Madorian examines me with a certain superiority that almost annoys me.
«Lord Frieza» the commander tells me. «As you ordered, we found the ideal candidate.»
I observe him. He's much bigger than his people while maintaining all their characteristics; I also immediately notice that he has no injuries, meaning that in his village they must have been quite understanding.
Something explodes in the distance beyond the windows and the earth trembles for a moment. Nobody moves, not even our newcomer who indeed continues to observe me. Maybe this monster doesn't really believe that he's facing the most powerful being in the Universe?
«Good» I say, without taking my eyes off him. «I notice he's very heedful. I can't wait to hear what he has to say.»
He doesn't speak and doesn't move.
«Big and tall, yet so shy. Don't worry, I don't bite. In fact, I'd like to have an answer when I ask a question.»
«What do you want to know?»
His voice is deep and the tone is calmer than I had hoped for. I thought he was going to challenge me but maybe it was the appearance of him that fooled me. Somehow I'm disappointed, yet I cannot deny that his almost superb attitude is starting to fascinate me.
«Your name, to begin.»
«Dodoria.»
«You have little imagination on this planet.» I turn to my commander. «I don't see any wounds on his body. This means that he has given up. Why are you offering me a coward? »
«Actually, Lord Frieza… he fought. When we attacked his house, he eliminated eight of our men before being stopped.»
This takes me by surprise. I look at the Madorian with renewed interest and, actually, the prospect of him being a ferocious fighter doesn't seem incredible at all.
«Eight? And how was he stopped?»
«We have proposed to him what you have charged us with, Lord Frieza. He agreed. He was the only one alive in his village.»
«Oustanding, I must say» I admit. «Then tell me, Dodoria. Why would you like to put your power at the service of mine?»
He smiles contemptuously, or so it seems.
«Because I have no choice, isnt'it? You destroyed my village, took my fellow citizens among your men and raided the entire planet. Serving you is what makes the difference between life and death.»
He's not lying but I feel like he's not telling me the whole story. I admire his physical strength and I know he can be an important pawn to play, it is no coincidence that I wanted the best of Madorians to be the commander of his own kind, but I must be sure that he's completely faithful to me before entrusting him with such a task. And I know what can appeal to even the most destroyed of the hearts, even if this being seems to me less suffering than he should.
«Many of your fellows have preferred to be brutally massacred rather than bow to me. But you don't. Why?»
«Because I want to live» he cuts short.
«Oh, I'm sure you do. Oregan, tell me how the fight between you and him went.»
«We attacked his home and he responded by slaughtering eight of our warriors. Then we made him the offer and he accepted.»
I nod.
«Tell me, Dodoria, how come you only responded to the attacks when we hit you? You could have run to help your fellow citizens as soon as we attacked the village.»
The Madorian realizes only now that I must be studying him. As soon as he realizes that it will not be only a matter of strength to tell me how deserving of my trust he is, the smile fades on his face. I'm sure he thought I was a space pirate who only cared about taking over planet Madoria. He will soon discover that he's facing someone with very different ambitions… and perhaps he will like this.
«Because I don't care about my village or my planet.»
«Well, we're starting to say things as they are, but you're still not telling I want to hear from you. I'll do it, then: what you really like is the power I can give you. Am I wrong?»
He hesitates; perhaps admitting it is more difficult than expected, but power has too much of a charm to reject it.
«That's right» he finally confirms. I nod.
«Well, what were you waiting for before saying it? I like you, Dodoria, and I think we could get along if you cooperate. Since I'm not an unscrupulous murderer I love to pay back those who serve me as they deserve. What do you want in exchange for your services? Power? Perform the tasks I entrust you and you will have the power. Who knows, maybe one day you'll return to Madoria as my vassal.»
I hit the mark. The Madorian's eyes light up and the smile returns to his face. I feel the two of us will get along very well.
For the first time since he's on my ship he bows, leaning on one knee and lowering his head. I wave my men away.
«Go back to your duties. I'm sure they need you out there.»
«But Lord Frieza…» Oregan tries to say, stopping immediately when I glare at him. I have already guessed the end of that sentence and it's good for him that he doesn't insinuate that this monster could be a danger to me.
Without further words they disappear from the room. I follow them with my eyes until the door closes, observing the Madorian as he raises his head. At this point I should expect an about-face or fear that he might treacherously attack me but none of this will happen, I'm sure.
«If what they told me is true, you must be an incredible warrior. Right now I need fighters like you in my ranks and I won't lie, I like your attitude and your ambition. If you prove to me that you're worth it, I will treat you with due respect.»
I know people like him: greedy for power, eager to stand above the others. This Madorian can be a precious resource and a loyal follower, as well as easily manipulated, if he gives me me what I want. Right now my only interest is to understand if I can trust him, and I already have in mind how to do it.
Before he can open his mouth I continue.
«But we better be clear, Dodoria. We are not playing. One small misstep and you will be able to forget all my benevolence.» I say. «I hope you understand.»
«Sure, Lord Frieza. I'm not going to betray you, if that's what you think.»
A too close explosion takes me by surprise and I look away. Outside the spaceship window one of my men, levitating a few meters above the ground, is launching an energy attack in the direction of a group of old houses.
«It will be better for you. Stand up. Tell me, can you use energy? It seemed to me that you can only attack us hand-to-hand.»
«Not well. We prefer the fight» he says.
«Well, then my men will teach you how to master it. But first I want you to do something for me.»
He waits, patient and doubtful. I rise, lifting myself from my throne in a single gesture.
A warrior who is worthy to command my armies must have no limits.
«Do you want to stretch your legs a little? Let's go join the party.»
The challenge is launched. I carefully follow his reaction, every muscle that tenses, every expression on his face.
One small misstep, Dodoria.
It doesn't disappoint me. A smile is painted on his face that would seem cruel to me if I didn't know that, actually, it's eager to show me what he can do. Greedy for my respect and the power I promised him.
I smile. Without another word, I head for the door and he follows me in silence.
Next chapter:
Heartless
7.02