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Part 1: The Torment

The year is 2240. Humans have expanded to several planets in the solar system, thanks to technology. In the last decade, they have encountered a hostile force called the Torment in the Kuiper Belt. These humanoid aliens are ruthless and destroy all life in their path, with the ultimate goal of taking over the humans in the solar system. The war has begun in the Torment's favor, taking over several human colonies in the outer solar system. But now the humans have a chance. They created the Shadowgun, an elite force of human soldiers with neural enhancements. These brave warriors are glorified in the human Federation.

Today, back on Earth, people are celebrating the military advances of the Shadowgun in the outer system. Led by the famous Sertun, the Shadowguns have repelled the Torment from all the major planets. Only Pluto remains under Torment control. In the Brno town square stands the decorated Shadowgun. The middle-aged man is about to give a speech.

He wears a black cloak, with the hood up. The crowd starts to wonder if he'll take the hood off. The Shadowgun takes off his hood and the crowd cheers. He smiles for a moment but then gets a sullen look on his face. He starts to speak into the microphone.

"People of Earth, people of the Federation, people of the Solar System." He speaks. "We have been through a lot. We lost many allies, many of our brothers and sisters in arms. But we won."

The crowd cheers at this remark.

The decorated Shadowgun appears in a ceremonial armor, a throwback to a much older time. He looks at the crowd and says "The war is won, but we cannot grow lax. The Torment are still out there, and they will always be a threat."

The Shadowgun continues describing the work so far in the Federation. The audience is hopeful, and many are idolizing the man in front of them. But the Shadowgun stops speaking and his eyes narrow. He cocks his head slightly to the right, listening for something in the distance.

The crowd quietens down and strains to listen.

Nothing happens and the Shadowgun continues. But for the Torment spying the speech from a hidden camera, Sertun's perception of their presence is shocking.

"The enemy spies on us this day. We should not let them leave to tell of our plans." Sertun whispers over the radio.

Billions of kilometers away in the outer solar system, a group of aliens receives a transmission of the speech on Earth. They are the Torment, sworn enemies of the human Federation. The aliens are shaped like humans, but they have a monstrous head with sharp teeth. Torment grunts are seven foot tall, naturally, and they use their size to their advantage. They use chainguns and explosives to attack. Torment Overseers are stronger, smarter, and tougher. They lead Torment troops into battle.

"How peculiar...this Shadowgun thinks we are spying on them." One of the aliens says.

"What shall we do?" The Overseer thinks for a moment, a long moment. The others know not to interrupt his thoughts. At last, he says, "Call the council of Overseers for a meeting." The big alien clenches his fists. "It's time for some accountability."

A video feed between the Overseers of the Torment plays. There are countless Overseers, each with a different appearance and personality.

The Overseer that lives in the Pluto relay begins, "What now?" The Overseer grunts.

"Overseer Tarnisator, it's time for the council to discuss your failure in the solar system!" The Overseer says.

"Sir, I resent..." Tarnisator starts to say, but the council overrides him.

"We shall start with a non-confidence vote on Overseer Tarnisator's appointment as the Overlord."

The Overseers' video profiles begin to roar and screech.

"A non-confidence vote. All in favor of keeping Overseer Tarnisator as our Overlord, say aye!"

"Nay!"

The vote went unanimously against Overseer Tarnisator, who was the only one that voted to keep himself Overlord.

Tarnisator roars in anger. "I will have your heads for this! All of you!" He says, red with fury.

"Order!" The council orders. "From now on, we restore the council's authority over the Torment. All Overseers are equal in the decision-making process. No more Overlord!"

"Over my dead body!" Tarnisator says, raising his voice.

The Overseer's face changes to a smirk. "So be it."

Overseer Tarnisator roars at the video feed again. He shows his long, sharp teeth. Tarnisator is a peculiar alien. Unlike the rest of the Torment, he is a dragon anthro, a very big one. On his back are two rows of sharp spikes that resemble dragon bones. On top of his head, two long horns protrude from his scaly skin. The scales on his skin are as sturdy as metal armor, lining up his hulking muscles. His red eyes glow with a fire of hatred.

He deserves to be Overlord, he thinks. "Losing some battles in the outer solar system does not mean I should be replaced." He grumbles angrily. The Overseers sent to the various planets and moons have lost their perspective of the reality. They are not to be trusted anymore; he thinks again.

The Overseer that smirked earlier speaks. His name is Kor. "Overseer Tarnisator has lost credibility in the war against the Federation. He lost so many battles on Jupiter, Saturn and Neptune that the Torment under his watch lost the advantage built up over a decade."

"So, because of a single setback, you think I should be removed?"

The Overseer ignores his question. Normally, there is no Overlord in the council. Only in the case of emergency, the Overseers would vote for one Overseer to lead the council. Apparently, this emergency has occurred.

"The Overseers have decided that you have lost the respect of the entire army," Overseer Kor says. "As an Overseer, you cannot rule the council by decree anymore. Your requests for funding and manpower will be subject to our judgment."

Tarnisator raises his hands. "I have done everything for the council and served it well. Do you really believe that I do not have the respect of the army anymore? I think my actions have proven that I do."

Overseers look at each other.

Overseer Kor finally speaks. "Your actions?" He raises one eyebrow in skepticism. "What actions?"

Overseer Tarnisator struggles to come up with an answer. Overseer Kor is right. What action has he taken?

"Let me tell you what actions," Overseer Kor says raising his voice. "Recklessly attack human colonies without planning. Leaving supplies undefended. Spending an excessive amount of time in the torture chamber. Challenging a human army all by yourself. If it wasn't for Overseer Siv's sacrifice, you would have died, and Pluto would be overrun by the Federation."

"Siv found his redemption through his death," Tarnisator roars. "I should be respected for my dedication to the council. I should be leader of this council."

Overseer Kor passes a motion to adjourn the meeting. It succeeds with everyone against Tarnisator.

"Why?" Tarnisator roars. His deep voice is a mixture of anger, confusion and desperation. "Meeting adjourned. Reflect on your actions, beast." Overseer Kor closes the light screen.

Tarnisator is alone and in darkness again. Anger boils inside him, as he roars and smashes his fists on the wall. He has known Overseer Kor for hundreds of years. The alien looks like a typical Torment turned Overseer. Tall, dark purple exoskeleton, red eyes that look around nervously. He is always on edge, paranoid that Tarnisator will turn on him. Tarnisator opens the profiles of Overseers. He looks at all of them with anger. He focuses his dragon eyes on Kor's photo.

"Why does he hate me?" Tarnisator asks himself.

He raises his hand and slams it on the photo. "I did not know all of that."

"Perhaps, Overseer Kor is jealous of you." The Hive Mind speaks to the lizard man's head directly.

"Hive Mind, I told you to never read my mind! I still have a grudge against you for destroying my village, but I will put that aside to help you."

"Tarnisator..." the Hive Mind says, trying to calm him.

The Hive Mind is as large as a skyscraper. It is more of a large mass rather than a single creature. It runs its body throughout Pluto and rests its heart inside the Hive, the underground city where the Torment has lived for decades now.

Tarnisator rolls his eyes. "I told you not to read my mind, Hive Mind."

"You know I cannot help it. You are distressed. Let us discuss the options."

The Hive Mind turns on the lights in the room and tidies up the collateral damage caused by Tarnisator's rage.

"Overseer, according to your hormones and history, I suggest you go torture a prisoner of war. You seem quite angry, and I am sure torturing a defenseless being would make you feel much better."

Tarnisator snorts at the Hive Mind's remark. "What else do you recommend for me to do?" Tarnisator grins, crossing his huge arms.

"Weight training, Overseer. You could channel your anger into setting a new record. Your last bench press was one hundred tons. I estimate you can do two hundred with your state of mind."

"Ha! I'll do it!" Tarnisator laughs.

"One more thing, Overseer."

"What?"

"Do not break the prisoner. We need them, Overseer."

"I'll see how I can hold back." Tarnisator laughs.