The rise of the the one of the Main and most interestingVillians.

Seat Warmer (1939).
“It is not that great to be a Leader of Ophesian Group they have a worse retirement policy then us.” Earth Mobster on dealing with Ophesians.

Atlasan arrives at the landing pad, waiting for his rocket to finish being prepared for the flight. He meets up with his hand-picked crew, Secret Unit Guard Arshonor the muscle. And Ltd.Commander Chapha the intelligence officer.
Chapha hands Corla some paperwork, Corla reads through it really quickly absorbing the data.
“Okay you all ready?” Ask Corla.
“Yes Sir.” they both say simultaneously.
One of the technicians walks over to Corla and tells him that they are ready.
Corla motions to his crew to follow him on board. They enter the elevator that allows them to access the entrance toward the top of the more traditional-looking rocket with fins but heavily decorated with Ophesian symbolism. It is a show rocket, it is designed to be art.
As soon as everyone is aboard, the attachments and fueling vehicles begin to back away, as the engines ignite, and a few seconds later Corlas rocket is climbing into the sky until it is a little glowing dot, then nothing.
A few days later Corla and crew arrive on Herdos, as soon as they disembark they walk over to an awaiting state vehicle to transport them to the governor's mansion.
Corla looks out the back window at the scenery, the stars are so bright in the sky, so few clouds, and a very Rocky landscape only occasionally interrupted by vegetation the trees on this planet don't get much bigger than 6 or seven feet. The tallest tree recorded on this planet may have been a little over 8 feet tall, the plants and tree's foliage always seem to be a permanent fluorescent mix of red and green. Even imported plants from other planets if they can grow in the very acidic soil, never seem to grow much taller either. Herdos may have one of the shortest days out of the planets in the Ophesian Group only a 4 hour day with a 32 hour night.
Corla's vehicle drives off the main road towards the mountain range and into a small lit-up tunnel. The vehicle stops for a robot guard, the machine activates a white and blue light as it examines the car, then allows the driver to proceed into the tunnel. After about an hour Corla arrives at an underground parking area, in the center of a parking area is an oversized round platform an elevator designed to take very large objects up and down as well as pedestrians.
“Leave it to Herdoians to have front door in the basement.” Says Chapha.
“Still a bit showy,” says Arshonor he says as they enter the platform area with about 40 other people. With a small high pitched whine, the platform raises into the roof of the cavern, Stopping one at a time at each of the sub-levels about 4 in all even before they get to the surface mansion. The platform stops at the surface about 100 feet away from the mansion.
The mansion looks a little like an earth Mid-evil castle but is made out of the brownstone and red brick. Lit up every 20 feet by along white tube built into the walls.
“Need a lot of light living on a midnight planet.” Says Corla as they head towards the mansion. And being stopped by the security of the mansion, Corla and his crew present the proper identifications, then security waves them through. And enter through the doors.
Corla and his team arrive at the acting Suzzares office And enter without being announced. They walk through a small round office and waiting room past the Suzzares assistance desk, were just to be an ass, Corla drags his hand across the desk knocking everything to the floor.
“Sir’s he is not in.” says the slightly startled and terrified assistant as he sees the Ophesian uniform logo’s knowing that they are very high up on Ophesian’s military totem. Corla opens the door and walks in with the rest of his men in tow. As Corla allows his men to enter. He then turns around, and says to the assistant in a very authoritarian voice,”I am sure you won’t mind us waiting.”
“No Sir, No Sir, go right in.”
Corla stops a moment and cuts the cord to the phone on the assistance desk.
“I prefer if we are announced.”, Corla says as a petrified assistant sits in his chair obediently.
Corla leans against the one wall and looks through the report that he as handed before arriving on Herdos.
“Well boys, How you enjoying the sites?” Corla says slightly sarcastically.
“It’s way too dark. Can’t see a thing.” Says Arshonor.
“Probably a good thing too, what is this thing a meteor with tiny trees?” Asks Chapho
Corla looks out the window at the city lights, even with the city brightly lit up, it seems to illuminate nothing around it.
“It was one of the last Suzerains playthings, it does have Ophesian interests at heart.”
“And what are our interests?” asks Chapho.
“Strategic location, and the elites, love the tiny acidic vegetables they get here, Says Corla still looking out the window.”, Belief or not this is a farming asset.”
“It’s a toy rock.” Arshonor states as he elbows Chapho smiling.
“You will get no argument from me.” Says Corla as he turns around and paces the floor, Corla getting a little impatient waiting.
“Where the hell is, Kon-Arch ?” Corla thinks out loud.
Arshonor pauses for a moment before replying,”He probably got lost in the dark.”
They wait a few more moments, when Kon-arch walks in the front door, saying something to his assistant in a language that none of the Ophesian can understand. But can understand the concerned tone of voice. Arshonor places a firm hand on Kon-arch's shoulder and Chapho does the exact same thing on his other shoulder holding him firmly in place.
Corlalatte turns around to face him. “How are you doing tonight?”
“What, concerns the Ophesian about this place. Considering that you treat us like some backwater planet.”
CorlaLatte,”Well that is an accurate definition I believe.”
“Never the less why are you here?” Asks Kon-arch.
“Can’t we stop by to visit our old pals on Herdos? Come to think of it. Doesn’t Herdos sound like something you cough up?”Corla mocks the planets by saying the name over and over again and mimicking that he's puking.
“So where is the key to the liquor?”
“In my desk.” says Kon-Arch.
Corla looks at the desk, walks around the desk, Smashes the glass cabinet with his hand, “Never mind I got my own.”, he says as he Grabs a large bottle, and begins to pour it large glasses enough for everyone including Kon-arch. Corla hands a glass to each of them.
“Can you tell your monkey’s to get their paws off me?” Asks Kon-Arch. Atlasan nods yes and looks at Arshonor and Chapho. They both remove their hands and enjoy a sip of the Apkopona chardonnay.
Corla Sits in Kon-arch's office chair, Puts his feet up on his desk while kicking all the paperwork off onto the floor, a small flurry of papers slowly floats to the ground.
“Now why we are here.” says Corla.
“Please don’t keep me in suspense.” says Kon-arch.
Arshonor is about to give Kon-arch a backhand to the head, But Corla signals with his eyes and head to hold off.
“Technically, this isn’t Ophesian business, but we are doing a favor for a friend of yours.”
“Of Course? That fat slob, what is it he wants?”
“He want’s to make sure your keeping his seat warm for him, and that is all.”
“Shoshan Shan, Is a pain in my backside, but I have no intention of claiming his position.”
“Are you sure about that?” Asks Corla.
“That paranoid slug is more paranoid then an Ophesian Guard Unit. He accuses everyone of something. I think he may part Ophesian.” Kon-Arch says very sarcastically as he takes a sip from his glass.
“Well, I can not deny that. We aren’t terribly fond of him either, However, I have to insure that someway that you have no intention of redecorating the office while he is away. And it is in My best interest to agree with him on this point.”
“Well if he doesn’t trust me, I will quit, I am really not a bureaucrat anyways. I will quit , if he wants me too, no arguments no fights, I will be more then happy to give this job to some other poor Herodian, and wash my hands of him.”
Corla looks at Kon-Arch and smiles,”Now there is where you and me agree.”

Not those Butchers (1941).
“Mother Opha will watch over the last princes to save her.” Book of Loss Ophesian religion.

Cleo is laying in bed with a slight cough, and running a small fever.
“Mykyum, I don’t feel well.”
Channa looks at her daughter, and says “I know baby, take this it will make you feel good.”, Cleo’s mom takes a small teaspoon of medicine. Cleo takes a sip from it. “Yuck.” Cleo yelps.
“I know baby, I know baby.” Channa says as she puts the back of her hand to Cleo’s forehead.”You will be better soon, let the medicine work.”
“Okay Mykium. I sleepy.” Cleo says.
“That’s the medicine starting to work.” She says and kisses Cleo on the forehead.
Corla walks in the front door waiting for the oncoming surprise Cleo attack, as nothing happens, he is a little concerned but just figures she's outback playing or something. He takes his coat and hat off walks to the back and calls out for Cleo and then his wife. He gets no answer. He walks back into the house walks upstairs, and calls out Cleo’s Name. And then Channa.
Channa comes running out of Cleo’s room. And hugs Corla,”There is something wrong with my baby, she’s got a fever and says her whole body hurts. I gave her some medicine, and now shes asleep, But I never seen anything like this.”
“It is okay, honey, It is Okay.” He says they both go to Cleo’s room to check on her.
Corla sits on the bed next to a sleeping Cleo, as Channa bites her fingernails. Coral puts his hand on her head, and has a concerned look on his face, he then puts his ear to her chest. “That’s not right. I will call the doctor.”
“Alright, but it better not be a military doctor.”
“Yes Dear, I will call HernosUtta.”
“I like him, I trust him.”
Corla leaves the room to make a call. Channa sits on the bed stroking Cleo’s hair. Even though Cleo is sound asleep.
Twenty minutes later HernoUtta arrives with his doctor's kit, The Doctor does a basic examination on the sleeping Cleo. And says an occasional “hmm, with every basic medical check.”
Herno looks at Corla, “Can you get something from my vehicle?”
“Yes.”
“In the rear there is a device that is painted orange with bright white dials on it. I need it.”
“No problem.”, Corla races out of the room and brings it back less than a minute later.
Herno flips a few switches on then adjusts the dials as he opens a small cabinet on the top of the device, he pulls out a thing that looks like a large round microphone. And hovers it over Cleo’s chest, then looks at the readout. He takes his free hand lifts her eyelids and sees a weird-looking color around the iris. He remains very quiet during the examination. “Okay I have my suspicions, but I need to do a….”
Cleo begins to convulse and go into seizures rocking and shaking back and forth. The doctor screams to Corla, “Hold her down! Please.”
Corla Complies, and tries to steady his daughter from shaking all over the place. Channa begins to cry and shout “My baby, My Baby.” The doctor opens his kit takes out an injection needle, and inserts some chemicals into it, He holds Cleo's arm down and injects her with the medicine. And after a few terrifying minutes, she begins to stop shaking.
I know what it is, we need to get her to a hospital Now. “Quick put her in my vehicle, now.”
Corla and Channa, do not even think about it Channa opens the Door as Corla picks up Cleo races to the Doctors vehicle, and sets her in the back seat. The Doctor hops in the front seat leaving his equipment behind as Corla and Channa sit in the back with Cleo.
“Shes not breathing, Shes not breathing.”, screams Channa.
The doctor floors it, at the same time reaching around a bag in the front seat, and grabs something that looks like a pill. “Quick stick this under her tongue, and close her mouth. Channa does as told.
The Doctors emergency light is flashing on the front and back of the vehicle allowing him to travel without stops.

by Winky; 1718732015; Report

A new Suzerain has been chosen, after being without an official one for many years. The new Suzerain is introduced with parades and pageantry on every planet in the Ophesian group. Her picture is placed over the old Suzerains billboards flags and murals. Firework shows on all the planets.
All the major news outlets are reporting on the Coronation of Suzerain Trono-Apha of The Third house Sector seven.
The months pass, Cleo is having the best time of her life, She has never had so much fun or so much attention.
The rotating mechanical television is mounted just outside the Arkonox De Governox right in the capital city square, An image of the new Suzerains image comes on with Ophesian Anthems of all five houses. A news anchor or propagandists as the rebels refer to them, just gets paid to repeat whatever the state says, without even thinking about it. Just Parrots really. If the state told them, propagandists, to claim that Ophesian's was a planet shaped like a cube, the next day all the astronomy books would claim they live on a cube. After a few minutes of logos and propagandists news. The new Suzerain finally appears on the device.
“Hello Ophesian’s, and Members of the Ophesian groups, From today on we will have a new era of Ophesian Dominance in the universe, Our empire will be the jewel of the all the solar systems known and unknown.”
Corla sitting at home going through some intelligence reports block out the mandatory ‘Emergency Broadcast’ as if a new Suzerain bloviating about herself and Ophesian superiority is an emergency of any level.
“So you met the new boss yet?” Asks Channa.
“No, I am not in any hurry too.”
“Why?”
“Nothing will change, Nothing will improve, Nothing will get worse, the only difference will be a different pretty face to present to the world, and the universe.”
“You may be right.”
“Yes, I will have the same jobs and the same hours. Same frustrations, and we will Still be Ophesian.”
“When do you get the meet her?”
“When she sends me the invitation to her self-congratulation ego trip. Maybe in the next two or three days, But I prefer not to be able to attend.”
“Your the most anti-bureaucrat, bureaucrat I have ever met.”
“Yes, I am. I really am.” Corla says as he returns to his paperwork.
Cleo comes running in the room supercharged and giggling like crazy.
“Can I help Sapi?” she says playfully?
“You want to do paperwork?”
“I want to do what you do Sapi.” She says.
“Be careful what you wish for, there is a pretty good chance you will be doing exactly what I do.”
“Yes. I do.” Cleo says as she pretends to write on the paperwork he threw out on the floor.

by Winky; 1718732301; Report

The last winter (1942).
“A hardy population is hard to destroy, A hardy leader that falls can take a hardy population down with them.” Ophesian Proverb.

The winter is starting in Sector 5 Principality of Pappiki, Where the majority of government elites live, including the Lattes.
The snowfall is light this early in the ceiling but will be falling pretty consistently for the next few Ophesian months before the winter will get much worse. The vegetation still is mostly green, the trees on Ophesian, some of the leaves still fall off like earth trees, but the majority of the trees, the leaves fold up in the winter, or close like flower buds.
Cleo is overdressed in winter clothing that makes it hard for her to move around but still doesn’t stop her as she plays around in the snow.
Channa is doing the house chores while looking at the window, Some of Cleo’s friends are playing with her in the snow. Channa watches as she sees two Ophesian guard planes fly low overhead.
Arkonox De Governox. Corla-Latte gets up from his desk, to take a break from his paperwork, he walks over to the coffee maker and pours himself a small cup of coffee. He walks over to his window and looks out the window, watching the snow start.
“It’s almost here, Her Born day.” he thinks to himself as he takes a sip of very expensive coffee that was flown in from the earth. Ophesian’s may not respect the Earth system or its people too much, but the few things they do enjoy from the earth is the coffee, Very few of the planets in the Ophesian group have the right climate to make traits that very good coffee needs.
“Sir, The Suzerain requests your presence.” says one of Corla’s assistants who just came running in the door.
“I suppose she wants me now?”
“Yes Sir. As soon as possible.”
“Okay I’ll be there in five.” Captain Latte says as he continues to look out the window and thinks about his daughter until his cup of coffee is finished.
Corla sets his empty cup down on his desk and walks out normally in no hurry to meet the new Suzerain, He considers it as interesting as filing paperwork, no matter how normal, weird, or eccentric the new suzerain may be. He’s lived through 3 of them so far. He is sure he will live through another three of them, and not one of them will change one damn thing. The number one mission of the Ophesian state is to be a threat, or at least look like a threat to any other empires who may want its collection. Foreign Exo-anthropologists, have a theory that since they evolved on mostly a water planet with small islands some of the tribes have not even associated with each other until the last 3000 years. Are very paranoid of the other tribe, and the houses that are part of the culture, are also an offshoot of the Ophesian DNA of paranoia, in extension outsiders. Ophesian government evolved originally from self-protection before it had morphed into a Pageantry of out ego-ing one another and chest-thumping insults.
Corla straightens his uniform checks his hate then salutes the guards outside the entrance the Suzerains Superintendents office. Corla takes a deep breath, Just out of frustration. He knows one of the most dangerous jobs in the Ophesian empire, If you aren’t being assassinated by enemy states, the Ophesian found a way to assassinate its own leaders when they do not pull the party line, the secret state is so secret even the members do not know they are members until after something happens, and they put two and two together. Corla is not really afraid of either, since his job is to give push back to the Suzerain to keep them from doing something stupid or something the state does not want to happen. Then magically the Ophesian’s have a new leader sooner or later. Corla realizes that his daughter will be a candidate on her eighth born day, because of his family history and name. He just can not get his daughter off is his mind, though he thinks about some things he has set up to make her born day the most wonderful thing she has ever experienced.
Corla eventually makes it to the double doors of the Suzerain office. The door is already open waiting for him to arrive.
“Glad you can make it, Do you Keep everyone waiting?” says a tall very tan woman with sleek black hair almost down to her thighs. And done in a unique Ophesian style, that is layered like ocean waves. Corla Sees that she is almost a head taller than he is. With Dark black eyes. She seems spooky even to him. Wearing a skin-tight fitting dress with a low-cut neckline. Though aside from the traditional head jewelry of a Suzerain she doesn’t seem to be too fond of jewelry but does paint herself up like a painting.
“I am sorry my Suzerain, I am glad to finally meet you.” Says Corla.
“I hear you are an Ophesian asset, the best of best.”
“Well that depends on what skill you are referring too.” Says Corla.
“Your Piloting skills, I hear are astonishing.” She says.
“Yes they are, and any one I train is just as good as I am.”
“I am glad to hear that.” She says.
“Do you need a pilot?”
“Not yet, But I will eventually like you to be the pilot of my rocket.”
“You want me to be your driver? A chauffeur?”
“In a matter of speaking yes. At least an escort when I have to make a few state trips.”
“I take it you plan to do more then the average number of trips for a Suzerain?”
“See you can read me like a book, I see that is something else you are good at.” She says to him.
“Well thank you but Being good at reading people is in an Ophesian’s DNA.”
“Your fairly modest for an Ophesian.”
“No, I am simply honest for an Ophesian, No games, No guessing I tell you exactly what you need to know regardless of the consequences for me or anyone else.” States Corla.
She still speaks fairly soft,”All right that is what I need, I am promoting you to suzerain lieutenant.”
“Thank you My Suzerain, But are you sure?”
“Yes, But I do have one question?”
“You and the Suzzares didn’t seem to see eye to eye?”
“Nope that seat warmer, was a rachatcha.”
“Well I agree, But hes out of the picture now, on his home planet.”
“NO better place for him than that rock.” Corla says.
“Okay you can start next week while you find a replacement for yourself. You are dismissed.”
Suzzerine Trono-Apha Gives an Ophesian Salute singling her house and sector, Corla does the same indicating his house and sector.
“Thank you my Suzerain.
” Corla says one more time as he leaves her office.
Corla arrives home that night a little later than normal, and braces for the incoming Cleo pounce, and no matter how much he tries to brace himself, she always manages to take him down.
“Channa, Cleo, looks like I got a promotion, I am the Suzerains new LTD.”
“So what she is like?” asks Channa.
“Manipulative.” he says as he gets up off the ground while Cleo giggles.
“Sounds like shes perfect for her job then.”
“No arguments from me.”
“So how is my Cleo Doing?”
“I’m being super good.”
“Is she Channa?”
“She is super good.”, Channa says smiling at Cleo.

Trona’s Deal.
“Head on ones shoulders or head on a stick, your choice?” King Artosona Ophesian King 2,000 Years ago.

On the border of the Ophesian Curtain, Trona’s Space Yacht is just hitting the ionosphere, as the rocket shields itself from the heat and friction with random blue and red glows enveloping the yacht.
Inside the passenger area of TO-73, Trona is at her desk towards the rear of the cabin, whilst Corla is playing a card game with one of the other crew members. The pilot announces,” Please be seated landing in 2 minutes.”
The two crew members along with Corla and Trona, all take their landing seats, by folding out jump seats that are in the wall, sitting down, and fastening seat belts.
“My Suzerain are we going to find out what we are doing here anytime soon?” Asks Corla as he leans back in his seat.
“Soon enough, Soon enough.” She says as the rocket begins shaking as it begins its final few thousand-foot descents.
A giant square door slides open seemingly at the last minute but timed correctly for the rocket to set down through the sliding doors and immediately shuts, a few seconds later Trona’s rocket lets off a few puffs of smoke and fire and is landed. A few seconds later two elevators clamp onto the rocket, and the rocket is slowly descending below ground.
Trona orders the crew to wait near the rocket for now and indicates to Corla non verbally to follow her. He does so without hesitation, He follows her through two glass doors and into another elevator shaft.”
“How many elevators does this place have anyways?” asks Corla.
“The easy answer is too many.” Trona smiles, but they arrive at their first destination, a small high-tech metallic shiny mining cart, big enough to seat 6 people and some cargo. Along the side of the cart in Ophesian lettering it spells out mining maintenance.
“I guess, this isn’t just an empty outpost.” Says Corla a bit surprised, but he doesn’t even know why he is the least bit stunned by this.”
“You know the holy books say we are always more then we seem, and we will always be more then we are, but less then we should be.” says Trona trying to be a little more metaphysical, and spouting it like nuggets of wisdom.
“I think half those preachers of ancient texts where on some very good drugs. But that particular quotes seems to be appropriate.” says Corla as he sits down next to Trona in the mining car.
“Not fond of the ancients or the Goddess?” she asks.
“Not really.” he states.
“Good thing I am not a member of the religious cast, or I would have you hanged.” she says.
“Every caste needs a hobby.” He says then faces forward.
The mechanical car beeps two times, then the motor hums and it follows a narrow track-like device in the floor through two double doors into an almost pitch-black tunnel.
Corla almost laughs. And Trona notices.
“What is so amusing?”, Trona asks in a soft voice, almost a weak helpless voice, but Corla knows this is all an act. Changing the tone of voice the words she uses, pretending she doesn’t know things he knows she knows and vice versa.
Corla looks at her, trying to read her, though over the last few months he has become very good at it she switches so often, sometimes he finds it hard to tell what actual mode she is in.
“Well my Suzerain, it reminds me of a ride I went on with my mate on earth, they think it creates romance. Some of the rides are scary, you float in this animal shaped water craft through tunnels and weird lights and there are a lot of scares in some of these, I think I even jumped once or twice, and humans seem to use fear as an aphrodisiac.”
Trona thinks on that for a moment, “So if we attacked earth and they where afraid of us, they would basically start an orgy because they got attacked?”
“Maybe.” says Corla.
“We may find out soon enough.” Says Trona.
“We aren’t planning to go with them are we?”
“Nope, but there seems to be very big grumblings of an earth war, and not those Erica anti skirmishes they call wars, one that may involve the planet fighting it self and all related planets.” She states as the vehicle moves through another set of doors.
“Our intelligence is pretty good on earth related activities.”
“Those idiots couldn’t find a giant diamond in the middle of a coal shaft with out an order to find the diamond, they tell us what they want us to hear half the time so their heads aren’t paraded around on sticks.”
“I think I may take offense to that.” Says Corla.
“No offense intended there are always exceptions to the rule.” she says.
“But we know because we are a warrior culture, and they are a warrior culture, regardless of how much they want world peace hand holding, and a global orgy of love and understanding, it is neck high bird droppings.” she says sounding almost jealous instead of dismissive.
“But mark my words in the next ten years, their war will have repercussions across many solar systems.”
“ You are no ordinary Suzerain are you?” asks Corla.
“No, I am not, I am a better one.”
“That sounds like the Ophesian Bravado I am used too.” he says
“Sometimes you can’t avoid it. When it is true.”
The car goes through another set of doors much larger, but into an open area, as they pass several launch pads for Titanic Missiles lined up on each side all readied for a launch in seconds if needed.
“So this mining colony mines totantic Missiles?”
“And Monoclonalic missiles and a few other types, it’s not an outpost its a launch platform.”
“Still doesn’t tell me why we are here.”
“Relax, Corla we are almost there.” she says.
“We could of parked closer.” He says.
“No we couldn’t.”
The Car stops and at the very end of the track, they both get out and walk out steps carved out of stone, the lighting is much better in this area, there are a few offices down here, for managers and security personnel but are empty at the moment. Since there is very little activity during a rest period. Trona opens one of the doors and lets Corla walk in first. She shuts the door behind her.
Corla looks around the unfinished room that looks like it is partly under construction, and parts of the flat wall still need to be smoothed out from the rock it was carved into.
“There is a reason I brought you here.”
“A beautiful place to kill me.”
Trona smiles, “Well not yet, But I will keep that in mind thanks for the advice.” she says.
“Just doing my job.” He says.
“No, I much more important reason,” she says as she takes a device that was hiding in one of the larger jewels on her headdress. She presses a button on it and it starts to click, she moves it around the room, waiting for the timing of the clicks to change, and nothing happens.
“Okay we are safe now.”
“I trust you, more then I trust anyone else on my staff, I looked into you, with going through other none traditional channels.”
“Trust me enough to check up on me?”
“Yes, I just needed to know if my gut feelings were correct. Turns out my Ophesian instincts are exactly like we claim they are.”
“I take it there is more.” He asks.
“Yes, but first I am glad Cleo is okay, I know that may of put a fright into you.”
“So, that is public knowledge it is not something I tried to hide.”
“Yes, but I do know that you have another issues something you sent to earth about ten years ago.”
Corla’s face turns pale white, Corlas usual poker face completely disappears and his Jaw almost drops, but he regains composure.
“Relax I do not blame you, I likely with resources would of done the exact same thing, However I do know What your plan is with Cleo, and I want to help you.”
“Why?”
“I need you and your skills.” she says.
“Yes but lets consider it my insurance policy that you will go above and beyond your duty.”
“Does anyone else know?”
“At least not anyone who should never know.”
“That is a relief. But even if I do accept these terms, This does not mean either of us can let our guard down.”
“Was not planning too.”, Says Trona.
“I kind of smoothed things out for you, but it is all based on timing, second too late, second too early and everything falls apart, Do you understand.”
Corla Nods.
“And what we talked about here was a missile audit and inspection. So we still need to inspect the real reason we are here.” Says Corla as she gives Corla her personal Ophesian Salute.

by Winky; 1718732382; Report

Cleo's Born Day Party.
“There are not many types of celebrations on Ophesious that aren't state related, But of the few we have Born day is one we can enjoy.” Ophesious Group Defector.

Ophesians, A cold winter morning in the principality of Papiki, the earth year 1937, the years on Ophesians are slightly different, on earth she would have been 6 turning 8, an Ophesian year is about a half of year longer than an earth year.
The snow is falling from the reddish skies mixed with a touch of winter gray. Corla walks up the front steps this morning after getting back from another secret Ophesian mission, But Corla was not going to miss today for anything, he has big plans for today.
Cleo comes down the stairs skipping every few steps, she runs to her mom Channa, “Kykamn, Kykamn (Mommy, Mommy)What did you get me mommy?”, Cleo shouts all excitedly.
“Silly little girl, What makes you think we got you anything?”
“It is my Born day, You teasing me mom.” Cleo says.
“Well, even if we did get you anything You have to wait for Sapi.”
“When is Dad coming home?” she asks.
“Any second now, I think that’s him now.” Cleo runs to the door opens it with a loud thud knocking items off a shelf she sees her daddy walking up towards the steps.
Coral looks up and the last thing he sees before hitting the ground. With an 8-year-old Cleo shouting at him,” My Born Day, My Born day.”
“I know sweetheart, I know,” Corla says as he sits up picks Cleo up, and takes her into the house.
Channa has set the presents on the table when Corla and Cleo return to the inside of the house.
Cleo tears into the biggest present first. “And throws the wrapping paper all over the room, She opens the box to find new outfits.”
Cleo is all excited, “ooh ooh, I love this one the best. And this one and this one. Can I wear them all at the same time?”
“You can but I do not think that will work.” Says Channa.
Corla sits down at the table across from Channa, starts drinking some unknown very hard liquor in a small glass, Channa looks at Corla, asking that question with her eyes that neither of them can verbalize.
Corla nods, as he turns his attention back to Cleo, “Go ahead open the next one honey, hurry so your friends can come over and bring you more presents.”
“More presents?”
Channa says, “Yes more presents.”
Cleo tears through the next few presents full of toys and toy jewelry. Screaming all excitedly when she sees each one.
She gets to the jewelry box, looks at it,”Something to put my pretty things in” She grabs all that jewelry opens up the box shoves all the now tangled up jewelry in it and it begins to play an earth lullaby. “It makes pretty sounds too.”
Channa looks at Cleo,”Yes baby it does, it does, that is a beautiful tune.”
There is only one more box left, and Cleo tears into it with the ferocious of a diseased shark leaving small cardboard shards and wrapping paper all over the living room, as Channa does her best to prevent the house from getting too messy.
In the back room the News automatically comes on at a certain time to report on Ophesian or other solar systems news, Corla listens carefully and catches part of the newscast, something about Japan has invaded China on earth.”
Corla thinks to himself,”She was right, and so it begins.” Corla looks concerned for a moment then consoles himself by thinking “A war torn earth is still better then a peaceful Ophesian's.”
Cleo looks at the princess doll, and hugs it.”I am a princess too.” She says as she plays with it a little when a knock on the door comes.
Channa gets up,”Your friends are here.”
“YAY!” Cleo drops her princess doll and runs to the door to let her friends in. Channa starts setting the table for about 8 kids beside Cleo, The kids come in one by one and set the presents where Corla directs them to.
Corla says, Okay who wants to play outside while we get ready.”
“But more Presents Sapi.” Shouts Cleo.
“Later, Your friends probably want to play.” Corla says to Cleo.
“Okay, Sapi.”
All the kids file out the back door through the kitchen into the back yard, Cleo puts her warm clothes on and joins them a few seconds later. Cleo falls down in the snow as she runs out not paying attention. Falls flat on her face in the snow, She laughs.
Corla comes out all dressed up in his winter clothes and starts making and throwing snowballs at the kids which he soon regrets as the kids return fire in a volley covering almost every part of his body in the snow.
“Sapi a snow monster,” Cleo points and laughs.
Corla also laughs as he begs the kids to stop,”Cease you win, You win. Who wants to build a snow man.”
“ME, Me, Me Cleo shouts.” as she and her friends start rolling up enough snow for the bottom of the snowman.”
Channa soon comes out and plays with the children as well helping them make a whole snow family.
Corla, Channa, and Cleo with the help of a couple of her friends roll enough for the head, Cleo grabs the head in her tiny hands, and says “Lift me, Lift me.” Corla picks Cleo up Cleo still holding on to the head, Cleo carefully puts the head on the last snowman and says, “Got a whole snow family.”
Corla says to her in her ear softly, “Yes you do, Yes you do.” he then spins her around.
At first, she loves it screaming and shouting,” Yeee, Yeee, More, faster, faster Sapi.” then when she's had enough her tune changes.”I’m dizzy stop. Stop, Please stop.” Corla stops but they both fall in the snow dizzy. As soon as Cleo regains her composure, She and Corla stand up wiping off the snow from themselves. He gives Cleo a super tight hug as if he will never let go. “Sapi, you gonna make me poop.”
Channa laughs at what Cleo says. Channa then a few moments later does the exact same thing.
” Kykamn, you squeezing me too hard.” Cleo struggles but hugs back.
“I am sorry baby, I love you.” She says.
“Love you too, Kykamn.”
Out front, they hear a clopping sound.
Channa says when she hears this,” everyone out front we got another surprise for you. The kids run around the house to the front, then some of them run back screaming, but some of them are curious.
Cleo looks at a tall brown beautiful animal she has never seen before.
Channa tries to comfort the kids that are hiding for they have never seen a horse before, or that many earth animals, “It is okay, it is a horse.”
“Cleo mispronounces the name? I got a hose?”
“No baby it is a horse, you ride it.” Corla lifts Cleo up unto the horse,”everyone gets a turn please wait here.”
“Cleo you hold onto this tight.”
“Okay, Sapi.” The tiny Cleo on the large brown horse is a little scared at first but begins to like it as she holds on to the saddle super tight, as the handler her and the horse around the block.”
Channa and Corla look at each other as Cleo disappears around the corner, Then they smile at each other.
Cleo returns a few minutes later and dismounts, so the next kid can give it a try.
Channa asks Cleo, “What do you think?”
Cleo smiles, and says to her mom, “I love hoses.”
“Horses.” Channa says.
A few hours later the party is over, Cleo is exhausted, but pretending she isn’t sleepy at all. She is wearing some of the jewelry she got and playing with the princess doll.
Channa and Corla are waiting patiently, for the clock to turn. Channa is drinking a little more than she should calm her nerves. Corla is just as nervous but refrains from drinking anything.
They sit and stare at each other holding each other's hands for support. Even Corla’s who isn’t religious is praying to the goddess for assistance tonight.
The vex phone begins to ring, Corla answers it almost on the first ring, he thinks he hears the suzerain and then nothing.
“Hello, Hello who is this?” Corla asks. And gets no answer.
Corla stands up looks at Channa, and gives her the do it now looks.
Channa gets up and starts to run upstairs to get Cleo when loud Knocks on the door are heard.
“OPEN UP OPHESIAN OFFICIAL BUSINESS.”
“Not now not now, It is supposed to be tomorrow not today.” Channa says.
“Get her out of here you know what to do.”
Before Channa can make it up the steps, two heavily armed Ophesian Secret police bust open the door, two more wait outside with guns pointed at the house, Corla looks out the back door and sees two more waiting there.
“What is this about?” Corla plays dumb.
“Shes a suzerain candidate Sir, She has to go to the School.”, the tall officer says, and the only one not wearing an armored face mask.
“Official policy is after her born day, not on and not before.” Corla says trying to stall.
“Sorry Sir, Orders from the top.”
“I doubt that.”
“Were are done here.”, says the officer as he sends two of his men in to retrieve Cleo. Channa Jumps up knocking the jewelry box over onto the floor as it begins to play its earth lullaby, She attacks the head of the first man, Punching him in the head with her fist and the alcohol bottle, over and over again, one of the other guards Shoots Channa in the back, as Both Channa and the Guard fall to the floor dead. Corla then reaches for his sidearm and manages to blast another guard before shooting him in the arm, Cleo comes running down the stairs in all the commotion and sees her mom lying on the floor and her dad fighting the bad man off, She drops her princess doll on the ground right next to the door. And Cleo runs and pounces the guy who just shot her dad in the arm, knocking him to the floor, she starts kicking, punching, and biting him, as the officer has to fight a little girl off without harming her.
The other men come rushing in the backdoor grab Cleo off the officer. Then takes her to the waiting out front. Dad gets up and shoots the one officer in the back of the head he falls down in the snow the other man with a gun returns fire at Corla who is standing in the door who fires behind him at Corla, a direct hit in the chest. Corla falls to the Ground, shouting with his last breath, “we love you.” He holds his chest and falls face forward knocking the princess doll now covered in the blood into the snow next to him, Corla looks up at the doll one more time, puts his hand on it, and finally dies, as Cleo is carried away kicking crying and screaming. The car drives off to some unknown destination.
Arkonox De Governox, Two Ophesian guards drag the body of the most recent suzerain Trono-Apha, out of the office by her feet, her long flowing jet black hair dragging across the floor and disappearing down a corridor.
The night lights illuminate the dark spaceport reflecting off the falling snow, only a few other rockets are coming in as most of them are taking turns taking off one by one at the Spaceport, the captain waits for her special cargo. Her copilot says to her, “she isn’t coming we have to go, they are gonna close the borders.”
“Give them ten more minutes.” She says.
“Okay I will get pre-start ready, but we have to go with or without them.”
“Okay, Okay.” Captain Roasanna says looking at the watch pacing back and forth.
Roasanna has a feeling that something went wrong, but waits another five minutes,”Good luck Lattes.” She gets into her rocket, a few minutes later the rocket begins to smoke out of its engines, then the fin engines flame up, and soon at first slowly the rocket begins to rise and then speeds up and launches itself into the sky, soon the rocket just becomes a flickering flame in the sky, then a glowing dot as it disappears into the ionosphere.

Join us next week for another exciting adventure of the OSA Space Rangers.

by Winky; 1718732429; Report