Our
first Vile Villains post actually features two. This pair is my
favorite Dastardly Duo. Telorvech and Mabu are members of a race
called the Leonatae. Suffice, to say, they aren't a people you want
to get on the wrong side of.
Committee
Home Base
Gazing
out the window of her sumptuously decorated office, Telorvech Asandal
reflected that the weather on her home planet was much more
interesting than that here on climate controlled Committee Home Base.
Granted, it was wicked weather, but there was only so much sunshine,
balmy breezes and fresh air she could tolerate. A good old fashioned
thunderstorm with gale force winds, that was something she could sink
her teeth into.
Pacing
the luxurious hand loomed, dark red, deep pile carpet, she realized
she felt trapped here. She wanted to go home, but that was
impossible. As Aisulov's Vice-Chairman, she was provisional head of
the Committee until his return or his death. His death was something
she had dwelt on for the last two and a half years.
Though
Aisulov had been gone three years, the first months had demanded her
full attention. A freak accident set the galaxy in a tail spin from
which it was only now recovering. Planets, moons, asteroids both
populated and barren exploded, victims of an unknown force. Aisulov's
home planet was one of those lost, his wife and children with it.
After
all the Committee members went on their fact finding missions,
Aisulov prepared for his own trip. He was determined to find the
cause of this disturbance. If he had come up with any answers, he
certainly hadn't shared them with her or anyone else. He was supposed
to report to the Committee when he came out of cryo-sleep. He hadn't.
In fact, no data was transmitted from his ship to Committee
Headquarters at all. This left her hopeful he was dead.
Unfortunately,
the Committee needed proof. The body in an hermetically sealed box
would do nicely. Even identifiable body parts—an ear, a hoof! But
there continued to be no word, no sign, no whisper in the dark that
he was alive.
Telorvech
was a credit to her race, holding an office of power and authority.
Positions of trust were not generally awarded to her people. Wil
wasn't the only person who distrusted the Leonatae, with good reason.
They were greedy, arrogant, stubborn, bigoted, fairly intelligent,
superstitious, and money grubbing. The creature they most resembled
were Old Earth weasels. Standing nearly eight feet tall, they were
ferocious, merciless and had disagreements with nearly every sentient
race in the galaxy. They were represented here on the Committee
because everyone wanted to keep an eye on them, not because their
presence was welcome. Telorvech and her nine staff members were the
only Leonatae on Committee Home Base. That was ten too many for most
Committee members.
Long
fingers smoothed her indigo gown as she sat at her desk and made a
few decisions concerning Aisulov. Perhaps she could fabricate an
authentic sounding transmission? No, it would take a long time to set
up. It also required too many intermediaries to forge a location.
However, a bot ship coming across remains of his vessel in space, his
poor body burned beyond recognition, now that had distinct
possibilities. She could obtain a Vandaran corpse easily enough,
having it's records altered to match Aisulov's. That was simplicity
itself, neat and easy. Yes, the simple plans often were best.
She
decided to consult her head of security. Izzatai Mabatsuou was even
more blood thirsty than she and a trusted aid. Not so much trusted,
she amended honestly, but each knew so many secrets about the other,
it was a shared extortion. She contacted him, calling for a private
conference.
Stroking
her soft, mahogany fur, Telorvech looked out upon the landscape
again. The clouds shifted, turning darker as the wind picked up.
Izzatai
Mabatsuou bowed when he came in the room. Handsome, by Leonatae
standards, his fur
was darkest ebony. It had often
been said that his heart was blacker than his coat. Admittedly, it
was an exaggeration, but it was true that he was probably the most
evil Leonatae that Telorvech knew. Because of his reputation as a
conniving, villain, the job of Security Chief was perfect for him.
Waving
him to a seat across the desk from her, Telorvech leered at her
cohort. "Mabu, you and I are about to embark on a project to
secure our positions here at Home Base. Would you like that?"
Mabatsuou
chuckled. "There's nothing I'd like better." He plucked at
the gold braid on his
burgundy jacket, with long, sharp talons.
His chuckle became a hideous caricature of a laugh.
She
outlined her basic plans. Mabatsuou's horrid smile widened.
"Indeed,
Madame, that is excellent."
"You'll
make it so, Mabu. Then return as soon as you have set things in
motion." Nodding, he rose and bowed. "Oh, and Mabu, bring
the toys with you when you return."
Grimacing
with pleasure, Mabatsuou backed out of the room. Satisfied that she
had initiated the careful orchestration of Aisulov's unfortunate
demise, Telorvech wished to celebrate. Mabu was just the male to help
her do it. Deriving as much pleasure as she did from pain, they could
spend the evening doing what they liked best.
Gazing
out her window again, she saw that the sky darken, the wind pick up
force. Rain beat against her windows. Yes, the day had decidedly
improved.
©
2017 Dellani Oakes
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