by Michele Vroom

Chapter Two

Russ pushed through the door and ran to them. One of the two demon soldiers glanced up, and blocked Dr. Jen from what appeared to be his daughter and wife. Trixie was clasped tightly in Trine’s arms. They had wrestled Trixie away and had begun departure, but returned as Trine chased after them to capture and detain both. Using Trixie and Trine as bait was an even faster way to capture Dr. Jen. “You must be Dr. Russ Jen,” one of the soldiers from under a molten helmet observed. Both wore white armor with brass shoulders and clanking black boots, a metallic cloak sifting behind them. “We’ve been waiting,” the square faced giant said hoarsely, “Emperor Ijin has plans for you, you insubordinate wretch.”

“What did you call my husband!?” Trine interjected.

The commander disregarded the woman, his eyes on the scientist, “If you refuse then we’ll kill your family.”

All of them were instantly silent. The soldiers grinned patiently. Laying rested and out of their sight was the pearl shaped space pod, concealed by a large sheet even with the mass of a small house. It seemed to be undiscovered by the invading demon pair. “Please come with us,” the soldier insisted.

Dr. Jen stood still. Did Ijin find out about his escape plan? The demons had clearly found their place of hiding underground. Dr. Jen glanced uneasily around the room at the many video screens- they had discovered his control room, but it seemed they had not unsheathed the escape pod. He didn’t just want to leave his son and staff, but they would almost certainly be in better hands than he, his wife Trine, and daughter Trixie were.

With a concentrated breath, he agreed to go with them.

* * * * *

The demon soldiers brought the three to their vessel of transport and headed off for the palace of Ijin and Siasma. The transport morphed into a plasmatic liquid and disappeared from the room. From the doorway Crip gaped in fear. He’d followed his father to the central area and silently watched the events in horror.

A hand was placed on the boy’s shoulder. The young blonde jumped back and spun to see a startled assistant. Young Crip told the man what had happened and they went back to tell the others...who were also already taken captive.

* * * * *

Dr. Jen stood, wrists bound and head hanging low. The shade snuck around the hall and highlighted the farthest corner, where his wife and daughter suspiciously eyed their captors.

Back and forth, the soldier padded across the rug, their eyes following his enormous metal boots until he came to a decisive stop. At last, he regally gestured to a lavish purple couch. Russ didn’t budge. Seeing the offer left untaken, the soldier took the seat for himself.

“You are already familiar with our request, I presume?” the demon soldier asked. Trine flashed Russ a brisk eye-ward glance that he couldn’t quite catch. “We would like you to create your famous Tai, Dr. Jen,” he started leisurely, “We hear that Tai will enable Emperor Ijin to come and visit your planet. I’m sure you must have received our message on one of your illegal databases.”

“Pew!!” Trine spit, “To Demons!” she shouted angrily, wriggling in her cords.

The soldier’s face hardened for a split second, then resumed its composition.“No need for speciesism,” the soldier said calmly. “So, do you accept my proposal Dr. Jen?”

“How can you be so satirical,” Trine interjected, “You demons are all the same!” her voice rose, “You scum! My husband would never give in to a bunch of supernatural angel wannabe freaks like you!” Trixie held steadfast onto the rim of Trine’s shirt, glaring as fiercely as her mother.

“And-and I shall not sacrifice my people for Ijin’s whims!” Russ added.

For a brief moment the demons studied him. “You must understand your people first eliminated most of our people,” the demon soldier replied, “and you feel no sense of accountability for that? …Unfortunate.”

Dr. Jen sensed what was next. He had to act fast. “I’ll make Ijin’s Tai!” he blurted before he could stop himself. It sounded like Ijin was unaware that Tai ran through the blood of every angel, and hopefully Dr. Jen could keep it that way.

There was a pause.“ Clever solution Jen, Good timing too,” the soldier’s grin seemed to be stuck to his rugged square cheeked face. Russ said nothing as the commanding soldier looked to his backup. “Lock them up,” he then bent down to Trixie and sneered, “If you are bad, we have a Reaper your age you will have to go to. We don’t want to have to send you to him, do we?” Trixie’s eyes widened and she squeezed Trine’s hand, backing away.

* * * * *

Dr. Jen leaned alongside the cell wall, watching outer space from the miniscule peeking glass. The whole thing took place so fast. What person could possibly believe their Emperor was going to obliterate them all? When the Empress Siasma declared the end to demons, they could not have guessed the same Empress would passively allow their downfall from the remaining demons’ retaliation to fulfilling their duties. The retaliation led to economic crisis, followed by authoritarian control solely enforced by Prince Carris. Going underground was the only means for expanding their intelligence again, and for planning an escape from the galaxy as they knew it. Until today. Would they make it back to Cyber? Dr. Jen wondered. What would happen to them?

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