Those who succeeded were forced to make decisions they never thought they would have to make. Everyone turned to the emperor for leadership, but the Changelings had taken care of him first. Then the mantel passed to the most senior lord.
Me.
They waited expectantly to see what I would do next. If the greatest Titan lord refused to fight, none would. I had to see through the bubbling anger in my veins to think clearly.
What was best for the people? I thought.
If I lit the beacon, it would call every Titan into war. They would run into battle, to their death, and accept it without hesitation. But the Changelings were too powerful, their ships too many. To send countless Titans into war across multiple worlds to die for nothing but the sake of honor…
I couldn’t do it.
I refused to light the beacon.
Death had already claimed too many. I wouldn’t add to the pyre.
“We were sorry to hear about your brother,” S’lec-Quos said.
The anger rose in me like a wave. Sorry? These creatures were the ones responsible for his death!
“Thank you for your kind words,” I said calmly.
“He was a famous warrior,” S’lec-Quos said. “At least, that’s what our reports tell us. He was responsible for countless innocent Changeling lives.”
Innocently murdering defenseless Titans.
The silence stretched. What was he expecting me to say?
I grinned at him as a way to hide my gnashing teeth.
“My brother was always the most aggressive,” I said. “He always loved a good scrap. He could never turn down a fight. Growing up, I was the one to suffer his temper tantrums.”
It was all a lie. Qale was the kindest, sweetest elder brother anyone could hope for. But this was what the Changelings wanted to hear. So, I gave it to them.
“Yes, yes,” S’lec-Quos said. “This is true in most inferior alien species we come across. The elder brother is often the dangerous one. The younger brother is the calm, responsible one. More reserved and thoughtful in their approach to life.”
He wouldn’t say that if he saw how much thought Qale put into his battle plans. I doubted there was a Titan alive who had a better mind for war.
“As the more thoughtful brother, I know I can rely on you to swear your allegiance to me,” S’lec-Quos said. “If you are kind to us, we will be kind to you. It will be a mutually satisfactory relationship.”
A mutually profitable relationship was what he meant.
“Of course,” I said, bowing. “Your wish is my command.”
“I’m glad to hear you say that.” S’lec-Quos grinned—at least, I thought it was a grin—and turned to his helper.
The helper approached a shelf and withdrew a highly polished box. S’lec-Quos opened the box and came out with a set of rings inlaid with the royal seal. It made me feel sick to my stomach to see it in their hands.
My heart was in my throat as S’lec-Quos assumed the guise of the emperor. Tall and powerful, he was what every Titan attempted to be.
Strong. Honorable. Just.
And he had been stripped from us. Dead? Alive? No one knew. Now we were left with this shadow creature.
S’lec-Quos slipped on the rings. There were five shimmering jewels, one for each of our primary mining facilities. He flexed his fingers and formed a fist.
“Now,” he said. “I believe you Titans have an unbreakable pledge you make to your emperor when he demands it. Break it and you will be dishonored forever.”
He held his fist in front of me. The jewels sparkled and caught the light.
“Make your pledge to me, your new and rightful emperor,” he said.
It took a moment for me to take a knee. My throat was dry. My words came out horse and croaky.
I bit down on the anger and betrayal I was about to commit against my fellow Titans. I shut my eyes and prayed they would forgive me.
I recalled the words, the words that every Titan memorized from the first day they could speak.
“A Titan is sworn to honor,” I said. “His heart knows only kindness. His blade defends the weak. His might upholds the helpless. His word speaks only truth. His wrath destroys the wicked.”
I kissed the ring and once the final word dripped from my traitorous lips, S’lec-Quos patted me on the head. Like a good little pet.
“Very nice,” S’lec-Quos said. “Now you may go. And if ever I call upon your aid, I trust you will respond quickly.”
I got to my feet and bowed. I turned and left the hall and I couldn’t help but shut my eyes.
What have I done?
I sat halfway down a long sleek dining table carved from a single piece of obsidian. Set within the emperor’s palace it looked sublime. Across from me sat my guest, Zes. On my left, Lord Flex, on my right, Lady Lors.
Outwardly, I smiled with great pride. Inside, I was dying. I had brought enough dishonor to my family name already. Did I need to add to it?
As I glanced along the table at the other lords and ladies, I knew every single one of them must have done the same. And yet, they appeared to have no issue with having done it. They had betrayed their people. Some even appeared relieved.
Or maybe they were only better at hiding their discomfort than me. Somehow, I doubted it.
The Titans turned toward the head of the table and immediately got to their feet.
S’lec-Quos drifted in with his helpers on either side. He stood at the emperor’s chair and sat down. The Titan lords and ladies remained standing.
A long, uncomfortable moment passed.
Then, with a sly grin, S’lec-Quos waved a leg for us to sit.
To think we had signed over every square inch of our colonies to them…
Now, more than ever, the message came loud and clear. We had been well and truly conquered. There
