Multiverse Networking

Chapter 9



The technomancer known as Imperious Dakar had enormous psychic power. But he lacked the ability to reach the minds of normal organic beings. At least without the aid of some sort of technological interface.



The Mind Flayer Udragoth functioned as such an interface. Udragoth had once tried to cheat Imperious and as a result had been converted into a cyborg with limited autonomy and free will. Dakar was able to essentially possess Udragoth in order to use the illithid’s innate psychic powers to reach into the minds of those around him.



Imperious Dakar did so now to probe the mind of Wolverine, and saw something that amazed him. Visions of another Earth, a world very much like, yet fundamentally different from his own.



An Earth where non-human races existed, but they were for the most part isolated and hidden from mankind. A world where a significant portion of the human populace was mutated in such a way that they gained extraordinary abilities (and in many cases freakish features).



An Earth whose resources were incompletely untapped by anyone on this world.



“I suppose ya have proof of this Archon…other than the mutant’s memories?” the technomancer asked. Knowing how easily a telepath as powerful as Minister Archon could alter memories.



Minister Archon was not surprised by the question. Far he already knew that Imperious Dakar possessed psychic abilities of his own, and expected the businessman to read mutant’s mind as soon as possible.



“Of course Dakar…and we will allow your people to examine the portal he emerged from themselves if you wish it” the Security Minister said calmly.



“What exactly did ya mean when ya said YOU could offer me another world? Imperious asked.



“In exchange for your help overthrowing the drow bitch…I will give Imperious Industries control of the portal as well as nearby territory in Iberia” Archon said briskly.



Angelus made a sound that may have been a snort of disbelief, but neither Imperious Dakar nor Minister Archon paid any attention to the massive black cyborg. Instead both leaders had eyes only for each other. Studying one another for the slightest hint of hostility or deception.



“I’ll need a few hours to study the portal…then I will give ya your answer” Dakar finally replied.



Imperious Dakar still wasn’t sure if he believed that Archon had access to a dimensional portal. Moreover, even if the illithid Minister did, breaking a contract was no small matter to Imperious.



*****



Susan Zweller and the immortal mutant known as Selene met in one of the capital city’s many park’s. They met up in a secluded area of the Vlad Memorial Park and sat down beside each other on a wooden park bench.



There was a human couple playing with their children nearby, and the two suspicious women engaged in polite but pointless small talk until the man and woman left with their children.



“So…now that we have gotten to know each a little better…could you tell me just why you need to meet with Imperious Dakar?” Susan asked.



“No…I can only discuss that with him…not a mere underling” the mutant witch said coldly.



Susan frowned at being referred to as a ’mere underling.’



“Then you cannot see him…I am not arranging a meeting with Imperious Dakar for you if you will not even tell me what you want to discuss with him” Zweller said in a positively artic tone.



“No.”



In response to Selene’s refusal Susan Zweller said “then were done here” and started to get up. However before the petite blonde woman could leave Selene put a hand on her shoulder and stated “NO you will stay.”



Trying to bewitch the smaller woman with her eyes so that her command would be obeyed. Then something Selene had never anticipated happened.



Susan Zweller’s flesh began to bulge and expand. Ripping apart her suit and other clothes as her muscles grew and thick hair sprouted on her skin.



Susan knocked off Selene’s hand on her shoulder with her morphing right arm and then grabbed the mutant witch’s neck with her left. Gripping Selene’s neck with crushing force and lifting her into the air at the same time.



As the bones in her neck began to break the mutant witch Selene employed all the psychic and mystic mental power at her command to bore into Susan’s mind. Gazing into the female’s blazing blue eyes as she did so.



As she attempted to enter Zweller’s mind a strange sort of neural feedback assaulted her senses. Making it difficult to proceed.



But she was SELENE, and she would NOT be denied.



As the mutant witch entered Susan Zweller’s mind she noticed that the psychic landscape was far more chaotic than anything she had experienced for a long time.



Then Selene realized that for some reason her psychic avatar had taken on the form of her own body. The ground beneath her feet was like mud, and shifted and heaved as though the area were experiencing an earthquake.



She saw what appeared to be forests and mountains in the distance, and two shadowy feminine forms.



“You don’t belong here” a deep voice growled.



Then Selene shrieked in agony as something slashed her across the back. Remaining on her feet through pure will alone.



The witch called on some of her mystic power and spun in place, glaring upon her attacker as she did so.



The creature resembled a giant grey dog. With blazing yellow eyes that glared at her maniacally. As she watched it the creature licked her blood off its paw.



Selene was about to attack, but before she could, the creature leapt upon her again. However, she was ready this time, and created an invisible barrier in front of herself.



Then watched in disbelief as the creature easily burst through it. Gripping her shoulder in its powerful jaws once it did so.



“Ahhhh!” Selene cried out as the bestial thing dug its teeth deep into her flesh.



“I am afraid your powers won’t work here…here I make the rules…I am impressed though…few telepaths make it this far…savor your victory before Cain tears you apart.”



The feminine voice was cultured and amused. Like an old, well bred aristocrat.



However, Selene had no intention of lying down and dying for ANYONE. Regardless of how nice their voice sounded.



The soul eater called upon some of the stored spiritual energy within herself, to blast the creature called Cain off of her in an explosion of crimson light.



The blast created a gaping bloody hole in Cain’s side. But within moments the wound had closed and Cain was back on its feet.



Snarling with fury as it renewed its attack.



The battle only became harder for Selene from that point on.



The bestial Cain attacked the soul eater again and again. Leaving deep wounds in the ‘flesh’ of Selene’s avatar each time. Only bursts of the witch’s stored spirit energy seemed to hurt the beast, but never enough to make it stop attacking.



Eventually the mutant witch Selene was forced to conclude that for all her power, experience, and skill, she simply could not defeat Cain here.



But to her shock, when Selene tried to leave Susan Zweller’s mind, she found that she could not. Moreover, her attempt to exit the battle did not go unnoticed.



“Sorry but we cannot let you leave…especially after seeing so many of our secrets.”



It was the same cultured, feminine voice as before. However, this time the smugness in its tone infuriated Selene.



She turned away from Cain and went in search of the speaker. Guided by its predatory instincts the beast pursued her. However the self-proclaimed goddess’s avatar was still faster.



“Fool…you cannot escape” the voice sneered.



The speaker continued to insult and belittle the mutant witch. Completely confident that Selene could not find her or escape Cain. However, Selene was beginning to understand this strange mental landscape, and she was able to track the voice to its source.



The female presence was in a forested area, standing beneath a tall oak tree.



She had the same small build and delicate features as Susan Zweller’s physical form (or at least the physical body Selene was familiar with). However, her ‘flesh’ looked as though it were made of ice, and she was wearing a crimson power suit. Her most notable features were her cold eyes, which were a literally icy blue.



The ice woman looked formidable. However, Selene could tell by the expression on her face as she reached her, that while the bestial Cain might seem immune to fear, the ice woman certainly wasn’t.



The fear on the ice woman’s face became even more evident as the Black Queen Selene reached her and wrapped her hands around her cold neck. But though the ice woman was afraid, she was far from powerless, and threw Selene aside with monstrous strength.



The bestial Cain caught her, and slammed her into the soft dirt face first. The creature then sat upon her back, and Selene felt a large set of testicles and penis press between her shoulder blades. Telling her the gender of the bestial creature.



Selene tried to escape Cain again, but this time the very earth beneath her seemed to grasp her. Leaving her helpless before the monstrous male.



“Finish her” the ice woman commanded.



“At least tell me your name!” Selene angrily demanded.



“Lex” the ice woman replied indifferently.



“LEX YOU’RE A FOOL IF YOU KILL ME…THEN YOU WILL NEVER KNOW WHAT I COULD OFFER YOU!” Selene said angrily.



Cain adjusted his grip on Selene as the ground seemed to let go of her. Then the bestial male pulled the mutant witch to her feet. Wrapping his front paws around her neck.



Despite her many wounds the mutant witch did her best to calm herself as she stared at the ice woman called Lex. Selene was not sure what would happen if she ‘died’ here, but she knew that the two most likely results were that her body would perish with her mind, or that she would be rendered a vegetable.



Lex simply gazed at Selene critically for a moment, and as she did so the soul eating witch had her first real chance to study her two assailants in detail. As she felt the psychic connections between Lex, Cain, and the area around them, she realized just why Cain and Lex were so powerful and unbeatable here.



They were both a part of and apart from this psychic landscape.



“I am trapped inside the mind of a latent psychic with one of the worst cases of multiple personality disorder I have ever seen” Selene realized.



“Your both Susan Zweller aren’t you?” the Black Queen said knowingly.



“Huh” Cain muttered.

Amazed that Selene had been able to learn their secrets so easily.



Lex gazed at Selene with growing respect. Surprised not only by the fact that the mutant witch had figured it out so quickly, but that she was able to speak so confidently given her position.



“Good guess…now given the fact that you have learned one of our most important secrets and barged in here without just cause…why should we let you leave?” Lex asked haughtily.



Selene studied the area around her. Now that she knew just what Lex and Cain were, and where she was, she could see their desires written on the landscape.



You simply had to know what to look for.



“Bodies of your own” the immortal mutant witch said slowly. Putting extra emphasis on the last word.



Lex and Cain both gasped in shock.



No ONE, not even Imperious Dakar, had ever guessed their most ardent and secret longing.



“You can do that?” Cain whispered.



“Yes” Selene replied in a voice that oozed confidence.



Lex and Cain silently (assuming that sound actually existed in such a place) communed in response to Selene’s reply.



Then the pressure on the immortal mutant witch’s avatar eased, and she was able to return to her own body.



As Selene returned to what most people think of as the ‘real world’ she saw just how much Susan Zweller’s body had changed in the relatively short time that she had been in the strange realm that existed only in Zweller’s head.



She was now at least 8 ft. tall and bulging with muscle. Though she was completely nude (since her clothes were destroyed in the transformation) her breasts and other sex organs were hidden under the dense gray fur that covered her entire body.

Susan’s form was still basically human shaped. However all her fingers and toes now ended in dangerous looking claws, and her head was essentially wolf like.



But her eyes remained the same.

Icy blue and full of malice.



“So she’s a werewolf too…well that’s a little exotic even for my tastes” Selene thought.



“Let’s talk” Susan Zweller rumbled.



*****



President Chrissy Lera napped contentedly in her mother’s arms. The two dark elf women looked amazingly sweet and innocent as they slept in each others embrace.



But the other people in the harem knew differently.



President Lera could be very vengeful when her anger was roused, and as President her power in Iberia was effectively unlimited. Which was why none of the permanent residents of the harem would dare wake her when she had left orders to be left alone.



However, Minister Rosenthrall was far bolder than most.



As soon as the Minister of Defense entered the harem bedroom where Chrissy and Gennifer were sleeping she walked over to the two naked elves and shook Chrissy Lera awake.



There were three other harem women lounging in the room. However, as soon as they noticed the Minister shaking the President they quickly left. Not wanting to get involved in the coming drama.



“Madam President please wake up…its an emergency” Rosenthrall said urgently.



Chrissy Lera groggily opened her eyes and stared at the speaker. Then she disentangled herself from her mother and stood up. Gennifer Lera sleepily cuddled a pillow to herself, not interested in whatever Rosenthrall had to say.



“This had better be important Rosenthrall” Chrissy said in a warning tone as her crimson eyes narrowed.



“IT IS…I have proof that Archon is going to betray us” the Defense Minister said confidently.



Chrissy Lera sighed.

She and her Defense Minister had had this conversation many times. Rosenthrall was convinced that the tall Mind Flayer was simply biding his time until he was in a position to attempt a coup. However, Chrissy was convinced that the Mind Flayer was not stupid enough to think he could get away with betraying her.



Up until now Chrissy Lera’s view had prevailed. Not only because she was the ruler, but also because Rosenthrall could provide no proof of her fellow Minister’s treason.



Minister Rosenthrall started to say something, but the President interrupted her by firmly stating “Archon would never DARE betray me!”



Determined to put an end to this argument once and for all. However, Rosenthrall had the perfect response to her mistress’s statement.



“Its different this time madam President…I have proof.”



The naked female drow simply stared at the taller dark elf for a moment, then she said “what proof?”



“My own scouts have confirmed that the Republic IS massing for an attack…there is no way Archon’s people could have missed that unless they are completely incompetent…he LIED to you” the Defense Minister stated firmly.



The cybernetically enhanced necromancer stared at the her top military official in horror. The prospect of the head of her secret police betraying her on the eve of a war was truly terrible. However, she pushed aside her shock almost instantly and took action.



“Take me to see this proof” Chrissy said. The implied NOW sounding loud and clear to Rosenthrall.



However, the Defense Minister looked at her sovereign and said uneasily “of course madam President…but could you please get dressed.”



Chrissy saw no reason to be ashamed of her beautiful black body, and normally prudish statements would provoke teasing or belittling comments from her. But since she knew just why Rosenthrall was so uncomfortable around nudity and sex (especially in a place like Chrissy’s harem) Lera simply replied “in a moment.”



Then she turned back to her mother and softly kissed the older female on the lips, and said sweetly “good by momma…sleep well.”



The sleeping drow grunted softly but made no other response. However, Chrissy Lera had far too many things on her mind to notice.



For if Rosenthrall had been right (and the loyal Minister was far from stupid) all along about the vicious Archon, then matters were even worse than Chrissy Lera had imagined.



*****



Imperious Dakar looked over the report his scientists had compiled after studying the portal the mutated human known as Wolverine had emerged from. It appeared that Security Minister Archon was telling the truth about the dimensional gateway.



It was stable and it did lead to another Earth.



Dakar had learned about other worlds and dimensions from Demons, Celestials, and other creatures not native to this plane of existence. Moreover, he had long been intrigued by the possibility of trade with worlds that were technologically primitive and unsophisticated. Knowing what an advantage his advanced weapons would give him in such a setting.



Because the truth was Dakar’s business had expanded about all it could in this world. Not only because Imperious Industries had so many bigger, wealthier, and more powerful competitors but also because its growth was being stunted by other forces.



The truth was, those who really controlled things on Dakar’s world deliberately limited the power and influence of people like Imperious. So that no one could ever become powerful enough to challenge their domination of Earth.



However, if Dakar gained the ability to travel to other worlds he could trade and conduct other commerce in areas outside of that secretive group’s control. There would be no limit to how far Imperious Industries could expand and grow.



Up until now though, such dreams had seemed like mere fantasy. For some reason the dimensional barriers separating this plane from other dimensions was much stronger than most. Making it almost impossible to leave this dimension.



However, this portal appeared to offer a way around that problem. Putting the riches of the multiverse within Imperious Dakar’s grasp, and giving him the power to expand his corporate network into an inter-dimensional enterprise.



Of course there were other issues.



Dakar knew that if the illithid Archon would betray his President, it was probably only a matter of time before he turned on any business partner. Moreover, there was his own relationship with Chrissy Lera and her government to consider.



The contract he had made with the Iberian President forbid him from making any separate agreements with other elements or members of the Iberian government. And if there was one thing Dakar felt was sacred it was a contract he or someone acting on his behalf had agreed to.



This was partially for pragmatic reasons. For Dakar’s reputation for always adhering to the letter (if not what the other party thought was the spirit) of a contract had helped him attract a lot of business over the years. People knew that while Imperious Dakar wouldn’t hesitate to exploit a loophole in an agreement if he felt it was necessary, as long as you made sure a contract with him was carefully worded, you could get exactly what you wanted.



But there was another reason why Dakar didn’t like breaking agreements other than PR concerns.



The technomancer Imperious Dakar had an inherent desire for order (though there were exceptions to this). The contracts he signed were more than just business agreements to him, they were unions of purpose that brought order to the void that had existed before in that realm of his commercial dealings.



Did he really want to violate a contract he had made for the first time just to make a deal with the vile Archon?



Of course Imperious Dakar knew that he could argue that Chrissy Lera’s demand that they must renegotiate now was in violation of the contract. But he knew that such was not a legitimate reason for tearing up the contract.



As Imperious Dakar thought of the powerful beings who dominated his world and considered people like him no more than nuisances, he made up his mind.



*****



The cyborg Angelus entered the tent that had essentially become his office in the Imperious Industries camp within Iberia. He found his boss standing in front of a computer monitor, with a thoughtful expression on his face.



They were alone in the tent (except for Dakar’s familiar, the illithid Udragoth). So Imperious felt he could speak frankly to his old friend.



“The potential rewards are too good to pass up…were going to accept Archon’s offer.”



Angelus loathed Minister Archon and his kind, but he agreed with his boss’s assessment. So he simply replied “Very well…you should know that Susan Zweller brought along someone who claims she can help us with the portal.”



“What…that woman knows better than to tell an outsider about this” Dakar thought angrily. While doing his best to keep his expression blank.



Angelus left the tent, then came back a moment later with Susan Zweller and an unknown woman. The woman was beautiful and pale skinned, with red eyes and black (skintight) leather garments.



Upon seeing the expression on her leader’s face, Susan said “I know what your thinking Dakar…but she already knew about the portal before I said anything.”



Which was true enough, for Selene had caught a glimpse of it when inside Zweller’s fragmented mind.



As Imperious Dakar and Selene exchanged pleasantries Dakar tried to scan her mind using Udragoth’s power. However, the psychic vampire’s mental shields were too powerful.



Then Imperious Dakar held out his hand.



Dakar liked to shake hands with people. This was because the most powerful machines in the Cyborg’s body were also the smallest.



Imperious’s body was inhabited by a colony of nano-machines (of his own design). The main function of these nanites (as the machines were called) was to repair any damage his body suffered. Thus giving him a healing ability similar to his captive Wolverine. However, they also had a more sinister purpose.



For Dakar could pass on these nanites through touch. Since the nano-machines were self replicating (using whatever materials were available to create more of themselves) they could ‘infest’ an entire body within hours. But before that they would establish a direct link to an infected person’s brain (a process that usually took minutes) allowing Imperious Dakar to use his technomancy directly upon such an individual’s mind.



But when the technomancer Imperious Dakar took Selene’s hand and the nanites tried to race through her body to her brain something unexpected happened. He detected an aura very similar to his own. Realizing that Selene was something like him.



Someone who had consumed the power of demon and deliberately mingled it with their own essence. Someone with a demonic soul.



*****



President Chrissy Lera sat behind the desk in Minister Rosenthrall’s Spartan office. Alone except for the Minister and Rosenthrall’s most trusted assistants.



Chrissy Lera reviewed the photos and video footage taken by Ministry of Defense agents that had slipped past the border Iberia shared with the Republic. They clearly showed thousands of Republican soldiers, tanks, and other military vehicles. Obviously getting ready to venture into Iberian territory.



There was no denying it any longer. Archon had lied to her, when his President needed honest advice the most.



For a moment the female necromancer was too angry to speak, then Chrissy said in a voice filled with cold fury “Summon Archon here now.”



Rosenthrall was more than happy to do so. After all, once the unusually tall Mind Flayer had been forced to make a full accounting of his actions, she was virtually certain Archon would be executed.



And the Defense Minister had been eagerly awaiting the downfall of her treacherous rival for a long time.



*****



When Imperious Dakar and the mutant witch Selene had touched and unexpectedly found each other a kindred spirit, it had created a brief but intense psychic link between them. Giving the psychic vampire and the technomancer a glimpse of each others memories and desires.



Of course Selene had an easier time making sense of Dakar’s memories than the Cyborg did of hers, simply because the mutant witch had far, far more memories. Nevertheless, Imperious still learned a great deal about the psychic vampire.



Profound as the experience was, it was almost instantaneous, unnoticed by anyone else but Udragoth (who would never be allowed to say anything anyway). Then to Angelus and Susan Zweller’s surprise Imperious Dakar ordered them to wait outside.



Once the massive elfin Cyborg and the small werewolf left the tent, Angelus muttered “what devil does he have to talk to her about anyway.”



Clearly displeased that Imperious Dakar had not included him in the discussion. As for Susan, the spiritual forms of Lex and Cane practically seethed with anticipation behind her eyes.



Eager to see if Selene would (or for that matter could) fulfill the promises she had made to the mentally fragmented werewolf.



*****



Minister Rosenthrall was quickly finishing the preparations for her fellow Minister’s meeting with the President.



It was a job she was more than glad to do. For she despised Archon and had wanted to see and him and his fellow Mind Flayers brought down for a long time.



But however much she despised Archon, Rosenthrall knew better than to underestimate him. Minister Archon would be ‘greeted’ by a small company of undead troops (who were immune to his psychic power) as well as Marian Casta, Rosenthrall, and of course Chrissy Lera herself during his Presidential meeting.



Minister Rosenthrall was looking forward to it.



*****



The meeting between Selene and Imperious Dakar had gone better (and for that matter been quicker) than any reasonable person could have expected.



Both Dakar’s and Selene’s mental shields were up. For they were both too untrusting, ruthless, and ambitious to allow such an unrestricted psychic connection again (especially since they each knew the other possessed those qualities). Nevertheless, that rare glimpse they had had into each others innermost selves had given Imperious Dakar and Selene not only a profound understanding of what they both wanted, but also of what they could provide for each other.



Dakar studied the ancient mutant witch closely before saying “So…you will use your magic to control the portal and give me access to other worlds.”



“And in return you will help me set up temples and shrines where I receive the worship I rightfully deserve at all the trading posts you set up across the multiverse” Selene stated confidently.



“There’s still the matter of getting rid of the old girl who runs this miserable little country” Imperious Dakar reminded his new ally.



“I believe I can help you with that” Selene said with a smile so wicked it would have done any pure blooded demon proud.



*****



Though it lacked the martial power of the Ministry of Defense, the Ministry of Security had eyes and ears everywhere. Including the Defense Minister’s office.



So when Security Minister Archon received the Presidential summons he knew exactly what it meant.



The President was onto his scheme, and unless he made his move now he would surely lose everything. Fortunately, he now had powerful allies to help him deal with his drow superior.



He would come accompanied by Imperious Dakar, Selene, Susan Zweller, and Angelus. All of whom would be covered by strong illusionary magic to make them look like Mind Flayers. Udragoth would also be going to the meeting, though of course he didn’t require magic to look like an illithid.



With a minister other than Archon going to a Presidential meeting accompanied by so many followers might have signaled something sinister. But Minister Archon was well known for not going anywhere without a large entourage.



Besides President Lera had enough confidence in her own power to not be concerned by Archon bringing a few more of his people. Moreover, Chrissy knew that she would have to deal with Archon’s more devoted and powerful followers after the minister himself was dealt with anyway.



Best to get it over with as soon as possible as far as the necromancer was concerned.



As a result, once Minister of Security Archon and his entourage showed up at the Presidential Palace, they were immediately led to the Reception Room by Presidential Aid Alan Walker. Signifying that this would not be an informal meeting.



If Archon had not been in the midst of carrying out a coup such a realization would have worried him. Since he was though, it merely made him chuckle.



Once they got to the Reception Room and Alan Walker announced them the Presidential Aid scurried off. Because he had a good idea of what his President planned, and he didn’t want to witness an execution.



When Archon and the others entered the richly appointed room they found themselves facing thirty armored undead troops all with weapons raised. As well as the President herself, seated on her ivory throne-like chair, with Marian Casta and Minister Rosenthrall standing on either side of her. Wearing an expression of barely controlled fury.



Minister Archon knew that things would only get worse for him if he waited any longer. So he told him companions in a firm, clear voice “NOW.”



That was the signal they had been waiting for.



Imperious Dakar used his technomancy to disable this section of the Presidential Palace’s electronic security system. Ensuring that Chrissy Lera couldn’t use it to summon help.



Then he attacked the cybernetic zombie soldiers. Imperious Dakar would have preferred to have subverted control of them to swing the odds even more in his side’s favor during the battle. However the undead troops obedience was compelled not just through programming but also potent magic. Making such subversion difficult. So Imperious simply used his power to destroy the interface between the troops undead flesh and their mechanical parts.



Meanwhile, Selene was casting a spell to prevent Marian Casta and Chrissy Lera from using supernatural means to call out for help.



“WHAT IS THE MEANING OF THIS” President Lera cried in outrage as the lights in the Reception Room went out and her undead troops sparked and collapse to the floor.



Once the dark elfin female ruler’s mundane and magical lines of communication were cut off, Archon immediately attacked her mind with his vast psychic power. Unfortunately for Archon and his allies, the three most powerful women in the Iberian government could see perfectly fine in the dark.



The master vampire Marian Casta used one of her sharp nails to cut the palm of her hand, then she called upon her blood shaping powers to form some of her blood into a dagger and sent it hurling towards the treacherous Archon. The tall Mind Flayer cried out in pain as the blood projectile hit him in the stomach (leaving him in too much pain to continue his mental attack).



Fortunately for him, the master vampire didn’t get a chance to strike him again, for just then the werewolf Susan Zweller transformed into her bestial wolfwoman form and leapt upon Marian Casta. By chance it was at that exact moment that Chrissy Lera used her sorcery to disspell the illusion surrounding Archon’s allies.



So that what appeared to be a Mind Flayer leaping towards Marian Casta, seemed to transform before her eyes into a huge hairy humanoid.



“What” the vampire exclaimed in shock just before the wolf woman landed on her.



As for Angelus, he was trying to hit Minister Rosenthrall with the powerful laser cannon built into his right arm. However, the much more slender elf was too quick for the large Cyborg to hit.



Ordinarily Chrissy Lera would have leapt to the defense of her loyal servant or her oldest friend. But Imperious Dakar and Selene were using their combined mystic power to strip away all the magic wards protecting the black skinned necromancer’s mind and cybernetic parts, while Udragoth was using his telepathic power to assault Chrissy’s mind (which was rapidly becoming more and more vulnerable to that attack). Leaving the elfin ruler too distracted to help anyone.



Chrissy Lera struggled to her feet. Disoriented by the multiple assault. It seemed the trio were on the verge of penetrating the drow’s mind and making it theirs when she cried out in fury.



“ENOUGH” President Lera screamed as she sent a wave of raw magic power at Imperious, Selene, and Udragoth. The yellow blast of fury knocked them all back. Then Chrissy used a spell to weaken the floor under the extremely heavy Angelus.



The large Cyborg was still attempting to hit Rosenthrall with his laser cannon. So he didn’t notice what had happened until the ‘ground’ beneath him crumbled and he fell several feet to the basement.



Though not wounded by Chrissy’s blast, Imperious Dakar was becoming concerned.



Nevertheless, Dakar considered it unlikely that Chrissy could seriously hurt him, for his body was protected and safeguarded by three layers of (technological) defense.



A teleporter inside his torso which allowed him to instantly move out of the path of danger, a force field generator behind his spine which could create a powerful energy barrier around his body, and of course Dakar’s colony of nanites, which could heal virtually any damage that got past his first two layers of defense.



However, Dakar was wrong.



With a flash of necromantic power Chrissy Lera reanimated her fallen soldiers. Imbuing them with strength and intelligence far beyond regular zombies. The super zombies immediately launched themselves at Imperious Dakar (their nonfunctional armor falling off their bodies as they did so).



The technomancer raised his force field just in time to prevent himself from being trampled by the undead horde. Moreover, the energy barrier seemed to ripple dangerously as the zombies crashed into it with unholy force.



Seeing that the witch Selene and the illithid Udragoth appeared to be dead, while the werewolf Susan seemed by held in check by Marian and Rosenthrall, Chrissy walked over to her fallen Minister.



Archon was lying in a pool of his own blood, breathing shallowly. His white eyes alight with fear as he saw his sovereign standing above him.



Chrissy Lera’s red eyes seemed to glow with fury as she glared down at the treacherous illithid. Her delicate features were twisted with hate as she said coldly “You should know by now…betrayal is the one thing I don’t ever forgive.”



Purplish energy sparked off the black skinned necromancer’s hands as she began to cast a Spell of Annihilation to destroy the tall Mind Flayer’s body and soul.



But before she could do so, the charred form of Selene got up and flew over to the necromancer. Putting her hands on the drow’s face as she simply TORE away the last spells covering and protecting the President’s mind. Making Chrissy screech in pain and outrage as her consciousness was left completely exposed.



Then Imperious Dakar teleported away from the powerful zombies attacking him, and appeared behind President Lera.



“Sorry babe…but we need him alive” Dakar said with a smirk as he used his technomancy to reach for the cybernetically enhanced drow’s mind. Without the protective magic wards Chrissy Lera had no defense against such power.



She resisted against the Imperious command at first through pure will alone. Pitting all her will power against the technomancer’s power spreading from her brain implant to the rest of her mind. Just barely holding it back.



Then Selene got involved.



“Shh…there’s no need to struggle child…just let go…it will be such a relief to simply submit” the horribly burned creature said in a disturbingly sweet voice. Her words backed up by hypnotic power.



It was too much for Chrissy.



Selene let go of her face, and the drow kneeled at the witch’s feet.



“Good girl” Selene cooed as she gently fondled Chrissy’s silky white hair.



“She’s mine” the mutant witch whispered as she continued to caress the drow’s slender black form.



“Ours” Imperious Dakar verbally corrected as he gave Selene a sharp look.



The ancient mutant witch’s reply was drowned out by a scream of denial.



“NO!”



Minister Rosenthrall screamed in outrage as she saw her sovereign’s forced submission. She abandoned her fight with the werewolf Susan Zweller and rushed over to Chrissy’s attackers.



This distracted Susan’s other opponent Marian Casta, and allowed the monstrously strong werewolf to knock the master vampire to the ground.



Then Zweller simply beat the vampire into submission. Kicking and punching Marian with bone crushing force until the blonde was too wounded to move.



As for Rosenthrall, as soon as the drow Minister charged over to Imperious Dakar and Selene, Imperious teleported away and Selene was left to face the drow’s fury alone.



Unlike the rest of the people in the room, Rosenthrall lacked supernatural, psychic, or mystic power. However, she had learned how to use her spiritual energy to make her body far stronger and tougher through physical and mental discipline. Which allowed her to make melee attacks with super elfin force.



She hit Selene in the face and torso again and again. The strikes coming with such speed and power that the mutant witch could do little more than stumble away. Selene tried to cast a spell or use her other powers, but the damaging blows that kept raining down on her head made it all but impossible.



Nevertheless, despite the fact that Rosenthrall’s punishing blows had already crushed Selene’s lungs and severely damaged many of her other vital organs, the immortal witch remained alive and on her feet. So the drow warrior decided to use her ultimate attack.



A blade of golden energy appeared in one of Rosenthrall’s black hands. The blade was a physical manifestation of her life force and spiritual energy.



Deadly to undead and able to cut through virtually anything, it was the ultimate expression of Rosenthrall’s fighting style.



With one quick strike Rosenthrall shoved the blade through Selene’s stomach (so that one end appeared on the other side). But Selene did not cry out as her flesh was further mutilated.



Instead she gave Rosenthrall the wickedest smile the drow had ever seen. Then her burned and battered body began to heal before Rosenthrall’s eyes. The flesh becoming smooth and unmarred once more.



The Minister of Defense felt herself becoming weaker, and realized to her horror that her spiritual energy and very life force was being sucked into the hole in Selene’s torso. The frantic drow tried to dissipate her energy blade but nothing happened. It remained an open channel between her innermost being and the bottomless hunger of Selene.



Rosenthrall called upon all her formidable mental discipline to try to hold in some of her life force and spiritual essence. But it was too late.



President Lera’s fiercest and most loyal defender had time for only a brief scream of fear and despair before her body turned to dust. Her life force and very soul consumed by the predatory Selene.



The demonic witch sighed with pleasure as the wound in her stomach closed. Then she brushed off the ashes that were all that remained of Rosenthrall’s body.



As Selene rose to her feet she saw Imperious Dakar standing just a few feet away. Where he had stood throughout the entire battle between Rosenthrall and Selene.



“I suppose it would have too much trouble for you to have helped me with Rosenthrall” Selene said crossly. Wondering if Imperious Dakar was more cowardly than she had assumed.



Imperious grinned and replied “I thought you could handle the old girl all by yourself.”



In truth, Imperious Dakar had heard rumors that Rosenthrall was personally powerful but he knew nothing of the nature of that power. So when she had attacked him and Selene he had decided to see what she did to Selene before attacking her himself.



Imperious was not a coward, he was merely the 2nd closest thing a sociopath in the room.



Selene decided put the incident behind her and deal with other matters at hand. She surveyed the room and saw Susan Zweller fondling an unresisting and bloody Marian Casta, Minister Archon dying upon the floor, the charred corpse of Udragoth, the hole in the floor Angelus had fallen through, and President Chrissy Lera herself with a blank expression on her face, kneeling where Imperious and Selene had left her.



As for the zombies President Lera had empowered, they had stopped moving as soon as Imperious and Selene had taken over Chrissy’s consciousness.



“Is this the victory you desired Imperious” the mutant witch asked as she viewed their fallen comrades.



The technomancer shrugged and replied “Archon can still be healed…and I can just clone Udragoth again…as for Angelus that fall hurt nothin but his pride…the important thing is…we have Chrissy Lera…and through her we can control this whole country.”



Selene simply nodded in agreement. Glad that her new ally could see matters so clearly.



Then she stalked over to the mortally wounded Archon.



“Do not fret Minister…I shall take good care of you” Selene told the Mind Flayer as she reached for him.



For some reason that reassure only made Archon more worried as the powerful witch touched him and began to work her magic upon his wounded frame.



*****



Sergeant Gustav was patrolling through one of the corridors of the Presidential Palace when he received word that the building’s Central Security Station had lost contact with the room where the President was currently residing, and that he and his squad were ordered to go there immediately.



The elite squad of human troops rushed to the Reception Room, but as soon as they got there the main doors opened and the President walked out.

President Chrissy’s Lera’s normally immaculate white suit was dirty, and sweat ran down her dark face. Nevertheless she appeared unhurt.



“Madam President?…are you all right…Security lost contact with you” Sergeant Gustav explained.



The pretty female dark elf gave her would be protector a winning smile and said “everything is fine…one of the Minister’s just threw a temper tantrum and shorted out the power.”



Sergeant Gustav and the other soldiers were relieved. But they should not have been. For behind Chrissy Lera and just out of the human soldiers sight stood a witch and a technomancer, controlling Chrissy like a puppet and dictating her every word and action.



Imperious Dakar and the immortal Selene smiled at each other triumphantly.



Iberia was theirs.