Fiction:Great Xonexian Schism/The War For Kraw

Prelude - Shadowy ALliance
The huge metal doors to the expansive throne chamber of Toragh 9 opened. Two guards, clad in black chitinous armour emblazoned in red strips marched down the black carpet towards the elevated throne of jagged blades that was the throne, their hands wrapped around the wrists of a Kraw being dragged along the carpet, his trousers worn and his knee scales scratched.

Sitting with his claws clenched on the armrests, beady eyes glaring with malice at the alien being brought to his feet was Toragh the ninth, the supreme monarch of the Iteok Khereg and master of their empire. He looked with disgust as the Kraw was tossed to the base of the flight of steps that led up to his throne, the reptile's first glance after lifting his torso from the floor was to see Toragh high above him, his vision blurred from the knocks the guards had delivered to him.

Royal Guard - ''The Kraw calls himself Verhaal. We found him trying to sneak into the palace.''

Toragh sat in the sinister throne with his legs apart, his white mandibles clacking with malicious curiosity, a thousand thoughts on how to flay or torture the Kraw victim brought before him. But there was something else that dominated his mind, something that he asked with the clack of his mandibles:

Toragh 9 - Tell me...What possessed you, Kraw, to come this far and seek an audience with myself?

Verhaal was still busy coughing and panting to reply. But he looked up, glaring at the Iteok king returning the gaze to him. After a minor cough, the vaguest attempt at a smile he could.

Verhaal - ''Because...Your majesty. We both....want. The same thing.''

This resulted in a chirping laugh from everyone in the room, starting with a bellowing, gravelling laughter from Toragh the ninth himself, a sound reminiscent of scraping prongs on metal. Fortunately for Verhaal ears, it stopped just as abruptly.

Toragh 9 - ''You make a good jester Kraw. But I know your kind, there is nothing you could possibly give me.'' Verhaal - ''What about the keys to the Consulate? A chance to decapitate the High Consul?''

What lingering, cackling laughter lingered stopped abruptly. Toragh was now stern and leered a the Kraw who offered a proposal alien to his kind.Toragh was both confused and curious, clacking his mandibles quietly.

Toragh 9 - ''You fail miserably. No Kraw would offer such a thing, you are all too proud of your democracy and your advancement to let us walk to your home-world to burn it.'' Verhaal - ''I am not like other kraw, your magnificence. I represent a group who seek an end to the xenophobic government. I have watched their soldiers smoke out and exile or imprison my friends and hunt me to the very edge of the galaxy.'' Toragh 9 - And you brought them here!?--

Verhaal finally stood up and rolled his shoulders back as the guards raised rifles aimed at Verhaal, a dozen laser spotlights dancing over his torso and head.Rather than panicking, he simply stood and smirked with confidence while replying calmly.

Verhaal - ''No, I gave them the slip. I came because after months of searching I have gathered what I need to exact revenge. I want you to join me, your majesty. I would so wish to watch you drown the streets of Byarg in the blood of my persecutors.''

Toragh's mandibles clacked excitedly and he stood up from his throne and with grace and intimidation made heavy footsteps down from his throne, his pearl-white armour, banded in golden warpaint glistened in the streaks of light from the ceiling, illuminating him unnaturally. With his ivory-white chitinous body he stood a head taller than the Kraw.His visitor felt nervous in front of the alien warlord.

Toragh 9 - ''Tell me Kraw. What makes you believe I should trust you?'' Verhaal - I pledge my life. Toragh 9 - Not good enough.

With the raspy snap of a reply, Toragh swung his arm and knocked the Kraw to the floor. As the alien tried to stand up he felt something press gently on his neck.

Verhaal - ''I swear by my life! Your troops will...will march to spill blood for us and...and topple the old regime! If we work together you can become the master this galaxy deserves!'' Toragh 9 - "Us?" Verhaal - ''My supporters. We are all aliens to the Council of One Hundred after all.'' Toragh 9 - You have approached more than me? Verhaal - ''Ever since High Consul Kies' regime a lot of the galaxy's people have begun to distrust the Consulate. They're worried the new High Council will repeat his mistakes.''

Toragh began pressing more on Verhaal's neck, giving him breatinh gtrouble. He could hear Toragh hissing though his mandibles.

Toragh 9 - Kies... Verhaal - ''The people I have gathered. They want to end that risk. They want aliens to have more power in the Consulate and the Federation.'' Toragh 9 - ''The Iteok Khereg have little interest with the Federation. So why should I care?'' Verhaal - ''Because you could... lead...the revolution! Make the galaxy yours and cast down the Kraw as the heads of the galaxy!''

The pressure lifted and Toragh was surprised by this offer.

Toragh 9 - And you do not care about me slaughtering you Kraw? Verhaal - Why should I? They drove me from my home. Toragh 9 - And what are you to get from this...alliance? Verhaal - All I desire...all I desire is vengeance for the persecution the Krawnak Arkil Consulate is responsible for.

Toragh lifted his foot up slightly, but Verhaal could still feel it on his neck.

Toragh 9 - My people are tired of being servants, Kraw. Verhaal' - You will have the throne you desire!'' Toragh 9 - ''My kind have been drawn into enticing but harmful deals before. Respect our loyalty and dedication, Kraw, and I will in turn respect your right to breathe.'' Verhaal - ''You have my word. I swear on the life of my wife.''

Toragh lifted his foot up and allowed the Kraw to stand up, the Kraw gasped for air as he could feel the air that Toragh had cut off returning to his lungs. Once he stood back up he held out his hand and Toragh, momentarily not recognising the gesture, held, he then reached out shook Verhaal's palm very tightly as they shook hands, then pulling the Kraw close.

'''Toragh - Betray me. And she dies with you.'' Verhaal - Understood. Toragh 9 - But for now I shall tolerate your presence.

Toragh dismissed the Kraw with a dismissive wave of his hand. Verhaal complied and made a hand signal to indicate he did not need Toragh's bodyguard to lead him out of the complex. He dissapeared quickly, leaving Toragh to contemplate the deal while sat in his throne, his mind becoming filled with dreams.

Dreams of becoming a galactic emperor himself.