The Savage Brawl [Round 5: Battletopia]

Originally posted on MSPA by Dragon Fogel.

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Konka Rar was somewhat taken aback; he hadn't expected to transport into the middle of a conversation. He quickly regained his composure, however; he could not allow himself to appear weak.

"I am Konka Rar," he replied. "That is all you need to know. Now, who, precisely, are you?"

The creature in the hologram was nonplused. It appeared to be some form of humanoid insect - had Rar seen the other aliens with his own eyes, he would have noted strong similarities. Although the large butterfly wings sprouting out of the back of its ornate uniform were a noteworthy difference. Despite the strange shape of the creature, however, its voice seemed distinctly feminine.

"I am the President of Skavat," she said. "And I seriously doubt any of my officers permitted you on board. Tell me what you're doing here."

"Do you think me a fool?" Rar roared at the hologram. "You're simply trying to stall me. I have no doubt that your security forces are already on their way here."

He stared at the projection device for a few moments, ignoring the President's demands for his attention.

"How do you turn this irritating device off?" he muttered. "There are no buttons on it anywhere!"

"If you surrender now, I can tell them to be lenient..."

"I don't have time to waste with your incessant prattling. And I can't take the risk that you'll see me as I leave." He turned to the side and pulled out his communicator. "Ziirphael! There's some sort of communication device in this room. How did you activate it?"

There was no response. He threw the communicator down in disgust. Then he noticed that the President had suddenly stopped talking.

"What is it now? Are you waiting for me to answer another worthless question? I have no time for you."

"I do have a question, as a matter of fact. How do you know the name Ziirphael?"

The lich would have let out a sigh were he still capable of it.

"Do you honestly think I don't recognize that as another stalling tactic? Latch onto some unusual word that I say, act as if it's familiar to gain my interest... honestly, you're so transparent, it's pathetic."

"No. I'm serious. How do you know that name? I must speak to Ziirphael at once!"

"Technically, I could accommodate that request. But frankly, I see no reason to. I have more pressing concerns than satisfying you."

"You will bring this Ziirphael here right now, or else!" the President screamed.

"Or else what? I don't fear your security forces."

"You should. I am not ignorant of magic, Konka Rar. I can see that you're sustained by it. And I know how to take advantage of that."

Konka Rar stared at the hologram.

"What exactly are you threatening me with?"

"This ship's power core is designed to draw energy from a variety of sources. Including magical ones. Cooperate, and you won't be harmed. Resist, and I'll give them orders to throw you into the core chamber and set it to drain your magic until your body withers away. You'll be nothing more than fuel for this ship, and a few spare parts."

The lich raised his bony hand to his chin thoughtfully.

"How very intriguing. I shall have to investigate this power core of yours in more detail. Thank you for your time, Madam President."

He then raised his mechanical arm and fired a laser at the device. The hologram shorted out before the President could finish her next sentence.