Teknophage: Demon's Reign 6A

(OP: The World by Nightmare)

Teknophage: Demon's Reign Episode 6: Sweet Smell of Success

At night, as everything was foggy, a familiar building came through the misty area.

Voice: No one in his right mind gets in the way of Mister Henry Phage. Lestways, not for any great length of time.

As it continued through the night, it was heading to where what seemed to be a city was.

Voice: Once Mister Phage sets his sights on some far horizon, he'll not easily be turned away from his goals. His is a firm and demonstrated belief that the shortest path between where he is and what he wants is always a straight line.

Down below, as many homeless people noticed, they screamed while moving away quickly, with the tank heading to the ruined city. Above, Ayami, now donning what appeared to be a white dress of some sort, watched.

Ayami: Oh man...

She then looked at the Phage, dressed in a tuxedo suit with spats on his feet, speaking toward Claudia, now in a blue dress, while she typed and the reptile looked at his claws.

Phage: I'd like to close my memoirs on the subject of unstoppable willpower. If any one life can attest to the fact that even godlike absolutism has its limits, it is the Teknophage's.

He removed himself from leaning on his desk as he began walking toward the window behind his desk.

Phage: The only difference between me and the rabble is that I approach every obstacle as an opportunity for improvement. Constant improvement translated into progress. And real progress meant big profits.

He placed his hand on Ayami's shoulder before the two looked at one another for a moment, then at the window.

Phage: The great ones knwo...bending something as complex and dynamic as a mass market to your will is an object lesson in entropy. Timing, you see, is everything.

Clauida only frowned to the demon, glaring at him. Down below, the crowd kept running as the building was coming closer to them.

Phage's Voice: Getting out is as fundamental as getting in.

Back inside, Ayami, watching sadly, sighed while the Phage looked seriously.

Phage: In the end, there is nothing left but the hunger. I think I'll leave it there, that has a nice edge to it, don't you think, ladies?

Ayami only glanced at her dress as she spoke.

Ayami: Mr. Phage, I just wanted to ask...why is my dress a wedding dress?

Phage: (uneasily) Um, well...Ayami, listen now, you see...well, it was the only dress I could find and...

He looked more uneasily, blushing secretly.

Ayami: Oh...I guess that explains it.

All while Jason, bringing in the tea, noticed Ayami's blushing.

Jason: (annoyed) Oh for the love of...

Claudia: (to the Phage) Actually, sir...pardon me for questioning your wisdom, but-

The Phage, smirking, turned to her as he spoke.

Phage: Not at all, Miss Cassidy. In fact, I'm delighted to hear that you've finally found your voice. Speak, my dear. Tell me what my actions imply to you.

Claudia: Well...fear, sir. To walk away from a problem is to be afraid of the consequences of your own actions, is it not?

Phage: (shouting) HOW DARE YOU SPEAK TO THE TEKNOPHAGE WITH SUCH INSOLENCE!!

As he continued, the force of hsi breath blew her with Jason quickly trying to hold her steady.

Phage: I'LL HAVE YOUR TONGUE NAILED TO THE DECK!!!

He panted a bit while Ayami, watching, quickly went to his side, though nearly tripped. However, his tail held her up a bit.

Ayami: Uh, please calm down, sir. It was only a question. You don't have to be so uptight.

The reptile sighed a bit.

Phage: Fine...

He pondered a bit, looking at the the downed Claudia and serious looking Jason.

Phage: Ahhh, no doubt the loss of her dear spouse has emboldened our mousy Miss Cassidy. And yet, in her own timid fashion, has she not seen where the greatest challenge to the Teknophage lies with himself?

He drooled a bit, with his claw touchign Claudia's cheek, making her wince as the claw on his index finger made a cut.

Phage: You're showing spunk, Miss Cassidy. I like that in my girls.

Ayami: Well, she does probably miss him terribly like I missed Jason before you made him your servant boy.

Jason: That and the fact from what I seen in the conditions here...hey, Mr. Phage, I wonder...how can Ayami and I get back to Earth at least?

Phage: Earth, huh? Well, young man, I'm afraid you cannot. Once you come to Kalighoul, it's hard to return where you came from.

Jason glared, frowning to him.

Phage: I sense no danger, but I sense, as yet, a holding back, that there is deeper anger in Miss Cassidy's demanding expression.

He snapped his fingers, with what appeared to be a giant TV of some sort with steam.

Jason: Whoa!

Phage: Might I fan the embers of your injured dignity into the hot coals of ungodly vengeance?

At that moment, the screen turned on, showing Rob gathering his items.

Three: (gasps) Rob?!

Claudia: He's alive?

Phage: (holds his hand out) Not for long. I fear he's fallen into a dead-end job with Baron Wasteland.

Ayami: (frowns) Jason! Why didn't you warn him earlier!?

Jason: (nervously) Well, uh...he-he. I thought he deserved it for what he did back there against us.

Claudia: What are you talking about?

Phage: (sighs) And to think I once groomed the bonehead for my own table...

Rob finally looked at the small tank he found.

Rob: (on screen) Baron, are you sure this suit can handle a space-walk? The air tank looks awful small.

With the Baron, he frowned to him while the screen on his head showed the Phage frowning, looking impatient.

Phage: (on screen) Walter? Are you there? What's going on with the sublimey project? I was hoping to catch a snack and have a little fun with the Earthlings!

As the baron spoke next, Ayami, looking concerned, noticed Claudia preparing to pick up the typewriter with Jason glaring.

Baron: The unit's primed with a fresh brace of sublimeys, but the crew's goin' on about the equipment!

Back at the office, Ayami looked worried, flipping a coin nearby before it landed on tails, sighing sadly while Jason and Claudia prepared to toss the typewriter together.

Baron: Better keep a sharp eye on your own staff there, Henry-

Claudia: Put this in your damned memoirs!

Jason: Here, jerk!

They tossed it toward the demon with the Phage noticing.

Phage: Don't fret, Baron. I'm in my chambers.

Then, it broke to pieces. However, the trio gasped in shock, noticing the Phage unharmed.

Phage: (glares) There is nothing here that can harm me, you two.

Jason: Crap!

Phage: (darkly) And that which does not kill me makes me hungry.

Ayami: (gasps) Oh no!

Jason: After looking at the stupid memoirs, all I have to say is you're a jackass!

Ayami: Jason!

Claudia: (glares) I hate you, Phage! You're a demon or a devil and I hate everything you stand for!

The Phage only chuckled as Ayami grabbed the two.

Ayami: I knew I should've stopped you from doing this. RUN!!

They began running with the Phage going after them. At the ship, the Baron grinned a bit.

Baron: Looks like you've got a four star, no wait, scratch that. Make it five star meals on your hands, Henry. Bon appetit.

He then looked at the worried Rob.

Baron: No more backsliding, Pickles. It's time to graft the Sublimey Engine on to the communications satellite.

Rob: But I won't last 15 minutes out there in this get up. (notices) Hey, wait a minute. On your screen, that's Claudia! What's going on?

The Phage on the screen kept trying to go after the girls.

Phage: Yesss. Hatred. Loathing. Outrage. (grins) Scream it! Spit it all over me!

Rob: Is that really them? Are they in trouble with the boss?

Baron: (glares) Ignore it! It's just a soap opera. Nothing but mindless fantasy.

Phage: It immeasurably improves your flavor.

The hemlet was placed on while the girls on screen were screaming with Jason dodge rolling.

Jason: I have an idea! Keep stalling him! I gotta get my bag!

He dashed away while the girls on screen yelped, dodging the claws.

Baron: Mister Henry Phage wants his sublimey engines hooked into the lives of every man, woman, and child on earth. And it's your job to do it for him. NOW GET TO WORK!!

He slammed Rob's head down too hard, knocking him out. When the baron looked, he noticed a trickle of blood coming from Rob's head.

Phage: And to think I wasted my time with hard-boiled Mackaboy and that imbecilic husband of yours!

Ayami: THIS WAY!

They quickly ran to the halls together as the Phage hurried after them. Finally, it turned off as the Baron looked concerned.

Baron: Damnation! Hit him too hard with that last pitch. He's useless to me now.

Finally, he grabbed an extra suit, placing it on while snatching some canteens of air.

Baron: Mustn't forget what Henry did to Edison for not inventing motion pictures on time. If I don't give him his sublimeys, I'll get my whole season canceled.

He then looked at himself for a moment.

Baron: Hmmm...this equipment does seem a bit flimsy. Better take along an extra air tank.

He placed on the helmet before the door opened. Then, he carried the engine with the unconscious Rob toward the satellite nearby.

Baron: Good thing there's no one handy to witness me performing manual labor like this. I'd never let this down. Sometimes it doesn't matter how humiliating it is, if you want things done right, then you've just got to do 'em yourself. But hey, that's why Henry pays me the big Moolahbux.

Unknown to him or the unconscious man, a familiar hand came to the control room, tapping the fingers before heading to the controls. Outside, Rob finally awoke as he groaned, feeling his head a bit.

Rob: Uhhh...Claudia?

Baron: She and the others are on their way to a memorable dining experience, Dickles. But don't' worry, we've got a great job for you. It's called Permanent Night Watchman.

Rob: (groaning) Wait...my head. And I'm cold.

Baron: It won't last long, so try not to whine and plead over the radio.

The tank was tied up a bit before the baron looked at the man.

Baron: There's plenty'd do the same for old Baron wasteland, if I gave 'em half a chance-

Just then, he heard a noise before glancing, gasping as he noticed the ship moving and a gate opening.

Baron: (shocked) Hey! Who's drivin' the ship? Why's it goin' back into the Wheel of Worlds?

To the two's notice, they saw the familiar mechanical hand at the wheel edge.

Baron: Damnation! That's Henry's pet paw at the controls. He's reversing the Subplenum Interjector back into the wheel! Impish fist! (points to Rob) It's him we're suppose to leave out here! Not me! (shakes his fist) I'm indispensable to the Organization! I'm on a first-name basis with Mister Phage himself!

Rob, glancing at the situation, finally went near the oxygen tanks, quickly breaking the tubes with the air blowing.

Baron: Rickles! What are you doing to your tanks? I'm going to need that air!

However, Rob pointed the airs in reverse, with himself heading to the ship.

Baron: Brilliant move, Pickles! You've created a primitive propulsion system out of your air supply! Amazing initiative! That's it! Get to the ship! Grab the controls from that demon mutt!

Finally, he grabbed the edge just as the air ran out as he was heading to the gate with the ship.

Baron: Oh, there's going to be a big promotion in this for you, Jickles! Junior partner! But please...

Finally, it closed as the baron looked worried.

Baron: ...hurry back now, y'hear?

With Rob, he held on as he winced, looking seriously as he spoke while going through the gate.

Rob: Claudia...Jason...Ayami...hang in there, you three...

(End of Act 1)