Cemel always enjoyed creating and experimenting with new and established technologies. He had in his possession a secret device called the Chalmoc. He classed it as his favorite toy, alongside his transmutation machine. Very few in the Supreme Ruler’s folds were privy to his inventions.
Eons ago, his spies had infiltrated the Septens’ home world and stole the basic technology that made up this particular toy. The Septens were in the early process of building up the device to help create images of pretty landscapes in 3-D holograms for their museums, for the pure enjoyment of their subjects and visitors. This was to them an innocent form of technology.
The insidious mind of the Supreme Ruler saw the potential for mind control. He adapted his own drastic modifications, interfacing with his master computer. The result was, at any time, he could transform areas of Casus Belli into his own playground to manipulate or entertain depending on the company he was keeping.
Simply by reading his victim’s mind and interpreting that information into the computer, which would process the information through to the device, he could create tangible hologram scenarios. Another way was connecting an unsuspecting target using a microdot on their person. This allowed the victim to be read like an open book, unaware that his most innermost thoughts were being interpreted, recorded, and viewed by the computer.
He could create and control a world that was truly his own by instantly calling it up via his ring.
Several years ago, his security force had detected a shipload of space pirates disguising themselves as explorers heading to the planet Zhesta. They claimed they got lost and requested help with repairing their ship. They had feigned surprise when they were told they had actually landed on Heliostronus, the Trimadians’ home world. They politely requested permission to study the historical significance of the famous Casus Belli Fortress and the area around it. The request was duly granted. The Supreme Ruler had seen right through them and confirmed it telepathically when he confronted the leader. He discovered they were mapping out the area to find a way to get their hands on some Zymergillian.
He played along with their game. In this case, he had used his Chalmoc to give their scanners the illusion that a small mine was located in the actual grounds of his Fortress. With an air of innocence and pride, he gave them full access to explore the expansive and wondrous grounds around his home. In his control room, he observed the action unfold before him. A dozen unsuspecting pirates were torn apart by interacting with his force field. The remaining pirates inside their ship were boarded and surrounded by heavily armed troops. There was no escape. He took immense pleasure seeing their faces when they were told they would see all the crystals they ever dreamed of; they just would never see the light of day again.
Now he was using it to fool the Graffa humans.
Alone in his private quarters he began reviewing events. Everything was falling into place. But there was never room for complacency, which never factored in his way.
His commander had reported that the three humans had been taken care of in the Eastern block of the fortress. Thanks to the scanning of the human’s brains and samplings of their DNA, the men had been stored, for future use, literally inside and out. He agreed with his commander on his analysis and dismissed the black one and the loud mouthed one. The one called Doctor Pete Reynolds, was an interesting specimen. Under normal circumstances, all Cantals implanted were taken over by the Cathexistome. Noting Reynolds reactions and behavior from the reports he received, he concluded human subjects needed further experimentation. Now, he had seen into Pete Reynolds’ head and came to the same conclusion as his second in command. Though Reynolds was lacking physically, he possessed considerable intelligence. But emotionally he still had feelings for Leah, and therefore was considered dangerous. Even implanted with a Cathexistome, something inside his humanity was slowly pushing aside the dominating power of the Cathexistome. Was human emotion a possible form of control against the Cathexistome? Regardless, he knew how to manipulate Reynolds one way or other.
Kalvich intellectually acknowledged that soft emotions like love and companionship in humans and other races were common, though wasteful and illogical. Lust and desire, which he and his Trimadians were familiar with, went hand in hand with his cold, evil nature.
The answer was simply a matter of control. This brought about the aforesaid rule that any Trimadian warrior on duty was only allowed sex for breeding purposes. Off duty warriors and higher ranking members were allowed to have sex for personal pleasure if they so wished and the Necradome City had an area for this purpose. Long term relationships with females were generally forbidden. This was not a problem for most of the war hardy soldiers, as the glory of war and victory was far more favored than lust or desire for a concubine, even amongst most Trimadian masters. Gloating, telling war tales, drinking, and fighting were a huge pastime for letting off steam at the public houses for off duty soldiers. These houses were scattered all over Trimadian occupied worlds, including the infamous Zhesta. Any aliens dealing in drugs, slave trading, prostitution, and gambling had to, by law, be sanctioned and pay a crippling price for a time limited permit. This was a huge income for the Trimadian’s and a quarter of all profits went to Casus Belli. If, upon request, there was no current permit produced, other things like limbs, even lives would become permanently limited.
It was only when Kalvich first met Queen Leah did he comprehend and appreciate that love knows no bounds, which, for status and political reasons, he kept to himself. His world was turned upside down. She was the exception to his rule. His life began that day.
She had despised him as much as he wanted her from the very first day. Finally, out of anger and frustration, he took her against her will, which was the beginning of the end. He had sensed despair and overwhelming sadness from her. Kalvich arrogantly blamed Sidonio for making her live a lie, never telling her the truth how he had turned his back on his immortal roots in order to claim her as his wife. But no matter how Kalvich justified himself, her heart stubbornly remained with Sidonio-dead or alive. Kalvich viewed that destroyed any hope of Leah returning her affection to the warlord freely. But, a voice inside told him to never stop believing, that given time, she would one day fall in love with him.
Then, fate stepped in. She made her final decision and the old alchemist implemented it.