The giant, bio-mechanical Controller shuddered as its pistons pumped hundreds of liters of fresh fluid into its body. Renewed with energy, it let out a horrible scream that would let the Head Boss know it wanted a meeting immediately.

The Head Boss slowly rolled into the vast central chamber. “Yes?” it said in a weary voice.

“You’re here. Good. I wanted to go over our plans for the final elimination of the species in this sector.”

“Yes, sir,” the Head Boss said.

“Look at the map,” the Controller rumbled. A holographic image of the Galaxy appeared above its massive bulk, filling the upper half of the chamber.

“Here, you see the remaining species, the Zruthy and the Humans.” Two bright dots glowed very closely together. “As I zoom in, you’ll see in greater detail the strength of their two spheres of influence. Now, this third light indicates their combined fleet, which has concentrated together again.”

The Head Boss murmured its agreement.

“Now look at the positioning of our forces.” A red glow surrounded the three lights. “We have sufficient strength to take care of all three simultaneously. We will send a task force off to the Zruthy homeworld to eliminate what is left of their empire; at the same time, another will destroy the Human habitations. That leaves the bulk of our forces free to attack their combined fleet here, and finish all of the species off at the same time.”

“What about the remaining Ke’ea ships? Will we have to continue to hunt them down one by one?”

The Controller gurgled with delight. “That is the best part. Our scouts have reported that even the surviving Ke’ea ships are joining the rest of their allies in their combined fleet. So all of our tasks will be finished at once.”

“Then our time here is nearing an end,” the Head Boss said matter-of-factly.

“Correct,” the Controller replied. “Make your preparations now, for it shall soon be all over.”

“Your word shall be done, Master.”

The Controller went into a fit of convulsions. “Don’t call me that!” it screeched. “Go, and get on with your work. Go on, get out
of my sight.”

“Yes, sir,” the Head Boss said, turning around and rolling out, a very tiny smile emerging on its hideously deformed face.