The Hater Empire Archives

2037: The Betrayal

With such a drastic change as the transition from bad to good, came a heavy price. Eyela and Peepers were arguing about it with their eldest, Cornea.

"I'm telling you Mum, Dad, we're going soft!"
"That is enough Cornea!"
"Your father is right, son. We all made a choice to give up evil and the empire."
"I had nothing to do with that choice. I'm sure Iris and Retina would agree with me, right?"
They all glanced at the others. Iris gave her twin brother a hard look. "Bro, it was a democratic vote. Even if me and Retina DID share your view, the yes's far outweighed the no's. Sorry."
"You know what, it's fine." Cornea stepped outside the room. "I'm going outside to clear my head."

When he left, Peepers told his wife something important, "I've got a feeling. Get yourselves to the throne room," He said as he equipped his helmet and small blaster. "Wait for my signal."
"Peepers, are you going to tell me what your feeling is?"
"No time to explain."

And with that, the Watchdogs ran out the room and separated. Peepers ran toward the Sector G security office. He just hoped Andy wasn't filming his show.

Thankfully, he wasn't. "What can I do for you, Sir?"
"Can you track Cornea's movements? I've got a bad feeling."
"Like, parent bad or bad bad?"
"Bad bad."
"Okay, come on in. I've got the footage."
"Thanks Andy."

As they watched Cornea's movements, they noticed he was looking rather shifty and suspicious. He then disappeared into the weapons bay. He later emerged with at the most a quarter of the army behind him. They were all carrying high level blasters.

"Andy, put the ship on lockdown. I'll tell everyone."
"Yes, Sir!"

The Commander pulled out his communicator, and put it out to everyone on the ship. "Attention, we have an opposing force on board. Get the young ones to the panic room, and report to interception point in Sector G. This is not a drill!"

When Eyela, Dominator, Hater, Wander and Sylvia heard that announcement, all five of them shared worried looks.

———

Hater led the regiments to Sector G. He was more determined than he had ever been before. His fists seered with green electricity.

He was stumped when he saw Cornea hurtle towards them. This was why he heard the family argue, and the concealed hurt in his Commander's voice when he had made the announcement. Cornea has betrayed them all.

———

"Sir, they're outside the door." A worried Andy told Peepers.
"Get behind me Andy."
"But..."
"That's an order."

After Andy was behind him, Peepers pulled out his blaster. Just as a Watchdog kicked the door down.

———

Wander, Sylvia and her daughter hadn't been happy about being herded into the panic room. But she couldn't risk any of them. Sylvia was the only one she could have taken, had she not been pregnant.

Dominator now rushed to her husband's aid. She only hoped she wasn't too late.

———

"You two should give up. You're outnumbered."
"Not on your life." was Peepers' reply. He turned towards Andy, who saw the worry etched in his Commander's eye. "Andy, get into the vents. I'll hold them off."
"Sir, I'm not gonna leave you to fight them by yourself."
"You're going to have to."
"Okay Sir. I'll get backup."
Peepers nodded as Andy ran toward the air duct in the corner of the room. Then a harsh cackling sounded. Cornea! How had he gotten past the blockade?
"Hello, Dad..."

It was at that point that all hell broke loose.

———

Eyela, Iris and Retina were running. As fast as their legs could carry them. They had to get to the security room. That was where the confrontation was going on, according to Andy.

They burst in just in time. Cornea was standing over an unconscious Peepers. The young Watchdog turned toward his family, and they immediately noticed the change in him. His warm smile was gone, and they saw pure malice in his eye. "I told you we'd gone soft." He said proudly.
"What did you do?" His mother was furious with him.
"Me? Well, I just betrayed you all. And now, we will say bye to dear old dad." He said with no familial love, and pointed the blaster at Peepers' head.

Before he could pull the trigger, thank grop, Retina made a leap, and knocked the blaster out of his hand, and it was picked up by Iris.

Cornea backed toward the air vent, cursing all the way. "You may have won this time. But you haven't heard the last of me!"

And just like that, he was gone.

———

The aftermath had been mournful. For everyone involved. Many Watchdogs missed the friends they lost to Cornea, those who joined his ranks and those who died in battle alike.

They had to cling to the hope it wouldn't get any worse.

Unfortunately, they were wrong...

A/n: And another chapter done!

Told you it got a little tragic later.