CHAPTER THREE
Abe had only finished speaking when the overhead speakers crackled to life with a buzzing noise that surprised everyone. It particularly surprised Abe, when the speakers addressed him personally with the voice of Lord Fragg.
“Abe! I know you’re in here. I know you’re trying to kill us all.”
Abe knew better than to reply. If he did, the Sligs would probably zero in on his location and open fire, eliminating him and any chance of freeing the Mudokons here. He clenched both fists and tried to ignore the voice.
“I’m only speaking to you because there’s something I want you to know,” Fragg continued. “By preparing to kill my Sligs…you’re killing your own Mudokons.”
What? Abe looked up. I know better than to believe everything Glukkons say, but…
“I’ve taken precautions in building this factory. Not only have I only purchased the aid of only BigBro Sligs,” the Glukkon laughed, “but I’ve also managed to set up a defense that will keep you from destroying us.”
Abe frowned. Keep me from destroying you? he thought. Fat chance!
He glanced at the two Slig guards, one of which he had been about to possess. Since the two of them were just staring blankly at the ceiling—stupid—shouldn’t he just possess one of them and start taking down the guards?
“I’ve installed cameras all across the factory,” the Glukkon went on. “And I’ve programmed them well. If they see just one possession orb, if they hear just one ‘Yo yo yo,’ they’ll trigger a small device implanted in the necks of all my Mudokon slaves.”
Abe’s ear slits grew wider, as did his eyes.
“This device, the location of which is unknown to all but those who implanted it, is capable of releasing a powerful electric charge. Strong enough to stop a heart. And if you try to possess one of my Sligs…all the slaves will die.”
Abe clenched his fists. That couldn’t be true! None of the other Glukkons had ever done anything like this! They had been too concerned with personal comforts to care about such good security…or was this a bluff? Was this just some trick to keep him from destroying the guards?
As if Fragg could read his mind, the speakers continued. “And don’t think this is all a trick. If you don’t believe me, it’s your own fault, and all your slaves die. Do you want to take that chance? Do you want to be remembered as the one who killed all the Mudokons here, and be forever remembered as a failure? Think about it, Abe. Think well.”
The speakers powered down, leaving the Glukkon’s chilling ultimatum hanging in the air.
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