McCloud hurried down the long hallway to the Powedered Throne, apprehension coiling in his stomach. He truly did not want to relay the information that had just come to him, but there was little choice.
He just hoped he survived. If Lord Pharoah got angry, McCloud might have to eat several dozen danishes as penance, and his doctor had warned him about his cholesterol.
Upon entering the Throne Room, McCloud glanced up his Lord, trying to gauge his mood. However, Pharoah remained enigmatic, as ever.
He approached the bottom of the dias and waited to be recognized.
"What troubles you McCloud?" Pharoah asked, seemingly in good cheer.
"Lord, I regret to inform you that several ISC colony worlds have been attacked by Kzinti forces. At least 2 full battlegroups are involved. Also, scattered reports have come in that two powerful Kzinti groups, perhaps at fleet strength, have been moved from their normal patrols. We are not yet sure where they have gone, though our scouts have increased their activity." McCloud said in a rush, and waited for the explosion.
"Leave those 'vanished' fleets for now. The worlds that have been attacked, are they yet taken?" Pharoah inquired.
"Not yet Lord, but their defenses are not up to a full scale assault. Their fall is imminent. Also, some....disturbing reports have come from our sources inside the Hegemony. Aparently a new fast food chain has sprung up overnight. They are offering.....um....." McCloud trailed off.
"Allow me to complete your thought. They offer Frog Legs, at drastically low prices." Pharoah smiled wistfully at his assistant. "These events are unpleasant, but not......unanticipated." Pharoah reached to the console beside the throne and activated a panel. Immediately, four holographic donuts sprang to life in the air before the throne. In the hole of each, a face appeared.
"Gentlemen, the time has come. It is now time to let you know the parts each of you must play." Thunder rumbled from the clouds about Pharoah's head.
"Julin, take your battlegroup and move to the front. Occupy the Kzinti's time, and slow their assault on our worlds. Your force is not sufficient to stop the attacks, but you can blunt them. Whenever possible, hit their supply convoys and execute tax raids upon them. You will, of course, confiscate any pastry you find on board, even if some on those ships have recently ingested it. You may want to bring a change of clothes for that part." Pharoah grinned, the wicked side of his Light Fluffy Goodness showing like chocolate frosting. "Then, when the time comes, activate Plan 9. You'll realize when, I am quite sure." Julin nodded in understanding, and began figuring the total tax profits from this venture, grinning maniacally as he did so.
"Blade, you currently lead the ISC fleets. It is right that you do so, for you are my Annointed, and the Champion of all Pastry Loving Peoples. Your part is vital, though it may not appear so at first. You are to take the Cruller Echelon to the Kron Drift. Once there, lay in wait. You will not have long to wait. I believe there will be a message coming to you there. Be sure to return it in kind." Pharoah and Blade grinned at the same time. "Oh, be sure to leave some alive, of course. If possible, burn this message into their hulls as they flee; "You will pay.". Positively cackling with glee, Blade bowed his head in acknowledgement of this task.
"Direwolf, it will fall to you to guard the Inner Peace of our worlds. The Kzinti are sure to cause whatever havoc they can; it is in their nature. A direct result of joint sugar/gluten withdrawl. Limit the damage as best you can. You have the faith and mandate of God and the Holy Donut with you." Somber as usual, Direwolf accepted his duties without comment.
"Finally, we come to you, Karnak. Your Lord has a very special mission for you, one that fits your style perfectly. You are known for being brash, headstrong, and daring in your exploits. I have need of such brashness." Pharoah became contemplative for a moment.
"Listen closely, all of you. Due to the years of social conditioning we have undertaken with our Kzinti neighbors, their response to a removal of the Holy Donuts from their lives was inevitable. This pattern of behavior was necessary, for their eventual peace. They will extend themselves in this venture quite heavily, especially once Plan 9 is activated and Blade's Message to the People is heard. We must use this to control the timing of events." The others nodded, beginning to see the pattern. It was glorious, and would further the influence of the Church of the Holy Donut, bringing Peace, Life, Prosperity, and Baked Goods to the whole quadrant.
"Karnak, you will make use of this extension. While the kats' away....." Pharoah waited for the understanding to dawn on Karnak's face. The predatory grin he saw there assured him that Karnak saw his part in the pattern perfectly. "He must be unharmed Karnak, above all else." Pharoah spoke, injecting a stern note to be sure that Karnak would know that penalties awaited those who did not heed the Word of God.
"Gentlemen, you know your tasks. Raise your donuts." Each commander raised a delectable pastry; Blade a lovely Boston Kreme, Karnak a Classic Powdered, Direwolf a fine Chocolate Frosted, and Julin a Vanilla coated with sprinkles.
Pharoah solemnly gave the benediction. "By the Holy Trinity of Sugar, Gluten, and Deep Frying, I hearby consecrate you to your Tasks. Go with the blessings of the Holy Donut."
"The Donuts must Flow."
Topic: SSCF is a D3 only fleet (Read 8984 times)