The vastness of space stretched endlessly around them, Earth a gleaming blue marble seemingly suspended against the void below.
Mark hovered a hundred feet above the lunar surface, his breath steady in the confines of the specialized mask Thragg had provided - Viltrumite technology that allowed for comfortable respiration in the vacuum while permitting normal speech.
"Again," Thragg commanded from his position on the lunar surface, arms crossed over his broad chest as he observed Mark's movements with critical precision.
"Your trajectory is inefficient. In space combat, wasted motion equals vulnerability."
Mark suppressed a sigh and reset his position.
This was the fourteenth repetition of the same maneuver - a complex evasive pattern combined with counterattacks that Thragg insisted was fundamental to Viltrumite combat doctrine.
Despite his growing fatigue, Mark launched himself forward again, attempting to trace the exact path Thragg had demonstrated hours earlier.
Beside Thragg on the lunar surface, Atom Eve sat cross-legged, a pink energy bubble maintaining her atmosphere and temperature.
She watched Mark's training with a mixture of fascination and concern, noting how his movements had become increasingly precise with each repetition, yet still fell short of Thragg's exacting standards.
"Better," Thragg acknowledged as Mark completed the sequence, though his tone suggested minimal improvement. "Your reaction time at the third pivot point has decreased by 0.3 seconds. Still inadequate for combat against an experienced opponent, but progress nonetheless."
Mark descended to the lunar surface, landing lightly despite the moon's reduced gravity. "I've been at this for hours," he said, trying to keep the frustration from his voice. "Maybe we should take a break."
"Viltrumites don't require breaks," Thragg replied flatly.
"Half-Viltrumite," Mark corrected, gesturing to himself. "The human half is getting pretty tired."
Thragg studied him for a moment, his expression unreadable beneath his mustache. Finally, he gave a curt nod. "Very well. Ten minutes. Then we begin aerial combat scenarios with Eve's participation."
Eve looked up at the mention of her name. "Me? I thought I was just here to observe."
"Observation without application is inefficient," Thragg stated. "Your molecular manipulation abilities as I've stated many times before provide unique tactical opportunities when paired with Viltrumite strength.
You will create obstacles and projectiles; Mark will navigate and neutralize them."
Eve and Mark exchanged glances - a silent communication born of friendship and shared experiences.
Though neither would admit it aloud, these training sessions under Thragg's supervision had become a strange fixture in their lives over the past weeks.
Initially dreaded, they now carried a peculiar familiarity - still challenging, still intimidating, but somehow... expected.
As Mark settled onto the lunar surface beside Eve, Thragg remained standing, his gaze shifting from Earth to the stars beyond with an intensity that suggested he was seeing far more than just points of light.
"Your molecular control has improved," he said suddenly, addressing Eve without looking at her. "The structural integrity of your constructs has increased by approximately 22% since our first session."
Eve blinked in surprise at the unexpected observation. "Thank you," she replied, unsure how else to respond to what appeared to be a compliment from the Grand Regent.
"It is not praise," Thragg clarified, as if reading her thoughts. "Merely an observation of fact. Your potential exceeds your current capabilities by a significant margin."
"I'm working on it," Eve said, a hint of defensiveness creeping into her tone.
"Indeed." Thragg finally turned his attention to her. "Your progress suggests dedicated practice beyond these sessions. Your commitment is... appropriate."
Mark hid a smile. Thragg's attempts at what might generously be called encouragement always emerged as clinical assessments, yet over time,
both he and Eve had begun to recognize the subtle gradations in his otherwise stoic demeanor.
This was Thragg being almost approving.
"How are your parents?" Thragg asked unexpectedly, still addressing Eve.
The question caught her off guard. "My parents?"
"Yes. Your biological progenitors. I recall from hearing from you once that your relationship with them is... complex."
Eve shifted uncomfortably, the pink energy bubble around her fluctuating slightly with her emotional response. "They're fine, I guess. I haven't seen them much lately."
"You avoid them deliberately," Thragg observed. It wasn't a question.
"I wouldn't say avoid, exactly," Eve hedged. "We just don't have much to talk about."
"Familial bonds are significant to human development," Thragg stated. "Your file indicates particular tension with your father."
Eve's energy bubble flared briefly before stabilizing. "My file? You've been reading about my family?"
"As I have stated several times already with you present, I review the backgrounds of all individuals with significant metahuman capabilities," Thragg replied, as if this were entirely reasonable.
"Particularly those in close proximity to Mark."
Mark cleared his throat. "That's, uh, kind of invasive, don't you think?"
Thragg regarded him impassively. "Knowledge is essential to effective governance. Your mother prepares meals for you despite your ability to feed yourself. Is this not also a form of involvement in your personal affairs?"
"That's completely different," Mark protested.
"The scale differs. The principle does not." Thragg turned back to Eve. "Your father's rejection of your genetic origin is illogical. You are demonstrably superior to baseline humans in capability and potential utility."
Eve stared at him, caught between indignation at the invasion of privacy and a strange, reluctant appreciation for his blunt assessment. "It's more complicated than that."
"Explain," Thragg commanded, though his tone lacked its usual harshness.
Eve hesitated, then sighed. "He didn't sign up to raise a government science experiment. Finding out I was basically engineered in a lab... it changed how he saw me. Like I wasn't really his daughter anymore."
"Yet you share approximately 50% of his genetic material, regardless of the manipulation that occurred before your birth," Thragg noted. "His emotional response overrides biological reality."
"Humans are complicated," Eve said with a shrug that attempted to dismiss the topic, though the tension in her shoulders betrayed her discomfort.
"Unnecessarily so," Thragg agreed. After a moment's silence, he added, "His failure to recognize your value reflects his limitations, not yours."
Eve looked up, surprised by what sounded remarkably like reassurance from the Viltrumite leader. "That's... thank you."
Thragg inclined his head slightly, then turned his attention back to Mark. "Your rest period has concluded. We will now proceed with the combat scenario."
As Mark rose to his feet with a resigned sigh, a flash of movement caught his attention - a streak of light approaching rapidly from the darkness of space. He tensed, instinctively shifting into a defensive stance.
"Incoming," he warned, his body already responding to Thragg's training despite his exhaustion.
Thragg turned calmly, tracking the approaching object with eyes that could perceive details far beyond human capability. "A single entity. Humanoid. Moving at approximately one-eighth light speed. Decelerating."
Eve stood quickly, her energy bubble expanding as she prepared for a potential threat. "Hostile?"
"Intent unclear," Thragg replied. "Mark, intercept. Assess. Do not engage unless attacked."
Without hesitation, Mark launched himself upward, accelerating to meet the approaching figure.
The weeks of training under Thragg had instilled in him a reflexive response to the Grand Regent's commands - not quite obedience, he told himself, but a pragmatic recognition of Thragg's tactical experience.
As he closed the distance, the figure became clearer - a orange-skinned alien with a single eye. Recognition dawned just as the alien spotted him and altered course to intercept.
"You!" the alien called out, his voice somehow carrying through the vacuum. "Champion of Urath! I am here for your evaluation!"
Before Mark could respond, the alien slammed into him with surprising force, sending him tumbling backward through space. Mark recovered quickly, stabilizing his position as training kicked in.
"What are you talking about?!" he called out, dodging a second attack. "I don't know what Urath is! This is Earth!"
The alien paused, blinking his large eyes in confusion. "Earth? But my assignment clearly states-" He cut off as realization dawned. "Oh no. Not again. The Coalition is going to be furious."
"Coalition?" Mark questioned, maintaining a defensive posture. "Who are you?"
"Allen the Alien, Champion Evaluation Officer for the Coalition of Planets," the alien explained, seeming embarrassed.
"I'm supposed to test Urath's planetary champion to ensure adequate defensive capabilities. But if this is Earth... I've made a terrible navigational error."
Mark was about to reply when a blur of motion caught his peripheral vision.
Before he could shout a warning, Thragg appeared behind Allen, moving with speed that made even Mark's enhanced perception be unable to track.
In one fluid motion, the Grand Regent locked Allen in a chokehold, his massive arm constricting around the alien's throat.
"Unopan," Thragg stated coldly, recognizing Allen's species. "Explain your presence in this system."
Allen's eyes widened in shock and fear as he registered who held him. Despite his considerable strength, his struggles against Thragg's grip proved futile. "I'm... from the Coalition... of Planets," he gasped. "Evaluation... officer..."
Mark rushed forward. "Thragg, wait! He's not attacking - it's a misunderstanding! He thought this was a different planet!"
Thragg's grip remained firm, but he didn't increase the pressure. "Coalition of Planets," he repeated, his voice carrying a dangerous edge. "The organization founded by the traitor Thaedus."
Allen's struggles intensified at the mention of Thaedus, but Thragg's hold remained unbreakable.
Eve had risen from the lunar surface now, hovering nearby with concern evident on her face.
"Please," Mark urged, moving closer. "He's not a threat. He's just confused."
Thragg studied Allen for a long moment, his expression unreadable. Finally, he spoke. "Your purpose here is evaluation of planetary defenses?"
Thragg questioned, though he already knew from hearing Allen's earlier words as well as the knowledge of his first life, but it of course is best to never reveal the existence of it.
Allen managed a nod despite the chokehold.
"A legitimate function," Thragg acknowledged, "though your execution is remarkably incompetent if you cannot distinguish Earth from Urath."
He released his grip slightly - enough for Allen to speak more easily, but not enough for escape. "Mark Grayson vouches for your confusion rather than hostile intent. Explain yourself more thoroughly."
Allen took several deep breaths, his gaze darting between Thragg, Mark, and Eve. "I'm an evaluation officer. I test planetary champions to ensure they're capable of defending their worlds. It's... it's just a job. I made a mistake with the coordinates."
"A significant error," Thragg noted coldly. "Particularly given that Earth is now under Viltrumite protection. Your presence could be interpreted as Coalition interference in Viltrum affairs."
Allen's expression shifted from fear to something harder. "Earth wasn't under Viltrumite 'protection' when I received my assignment. And we both know what Viltrumite protection really means."
Thragg's grip tightened fractionally. "Elaborate."
"Like what you did to my homeworld?" Allen's voice grew bitter despite the danger of his situation. "Unopa was a peaceful planet. We lived in harmony with our environment. Then the Viltrumites came with their 'protection' and demands for submission.
When we refused to bow to your empire, you destroyed our planet. Blew it up rather than allow us our freedom."
Mark's eyes widened, looking from Allen to Thragg. "Is that true?"
Thragg's expression remained impassive. "The Unopan account is incomplete and biased."
"Then what really happened?" Eve asked, her voice quiet but firm.
Thragg considered for a moment, his gaze never leaving Allen. "The Viltrumite Empire offered Unopa the same benefits now being implemented on Earth - advanced technology, medical knowledge, protection from cosmic threats.
In exchange, we required integration into the Empire's governance structure."
"You demanded total submission," Allen countered.
"We offered elevation," Thragg corrected. "The Unopans were a species with potential, but they were squandering it with their primitive adherence to 'natural harmony.' They rejected progress in favor of stagnation."
"We rejected slavery," Allen said bitterly.
"You rejected reality," Thragg replied, his voice coldly logical. "The universe does not reward idealism. It rewards strength, adaptation, and pragmatism.
The Unopans' rebellion was not merely a rejection of Viltrumite authority - it was a declaration of war against a vastly superior force."
Mark moved closer, his expression troubled. "But destroying their entire planet? Killing billions of innocent people?"
"The decision was not made lightly," Thragg stated. "The Unopan rebellion had spread to multiple colonies.
Their resistance techniques were being adopted by other worlds. The infection of defiance threatened the stability of the entire sector."
"So you made an example of them," Eve said, her voice carrying a note of horror.
"We preserved order," Thragg corrected. "One planet's destruction prevented the loss of dozens more to chaos and prolonged conflict."
Allen's struggle renewed. "You murdered my species because we wanted freedom!"
"Your species still exists because we permitted survivors," Thragg countered. "Had the rebellion continued to spread, the Viltrumite response would have been total extinction.
The breeding camps that produced you were an act of mercy by Viltrumite standards."
Mark shook his head, struggling to reconcile this cold calculation with the leader who had spent hours training him, who had been subtly showing care towards him and Eve, showing glimpses - however small - of something beyond mere tyranny.
"There had to be another way," he insisted.
"There is always another way," Thragg acknowledged, surprising them all. "But rarely a better one. The destruction of Unopa was regrettable but necessary given the information and circumstances at that time."
"Regrettable?" Allen spat the word. "My people-"
"Your people chose defiance without the strength to sustain it," Thragg interrupted. "The consequences were predictable and unavoidable once that choice was made."
Eve moved closer, her energy field pulsing with her emotional state. "But that's not how you've handled Earth. You haven't destroyed anyone who resists integration."
"Circumstances differ," Thragg explained. "Earth's integration occurs under my direct supervision, not through proxies.
The methods have evolved as the Empire has evolved. And," he added with a meaningful look at Mark, "Earth has unique value that Unopa did not possess."
Mark understood the implication - his own existence, and that of his father, represented something Thragg valued beyond mere planetary resources or strategic positioning. The thought was both reassuring and unsettling.
"So what happens now?" Mark asked, gesturing toward Allen. "He made a mistake, but he hasn't done anything wrong."
Thragg studied Allen for a long moment. "Coalition activities near Viltrumite territories are subject to scrutiny.
However, as this encounter appears to be the result of incompetence rather than malice, extreme measures are unnecessary."
With a swift, precise movement, Thragg struck Allen at the base of his skull. The Unopan went limp immediately, unconscious but alive.
"He will eventually be returned to the edge of this solar system," Thragg decided. "When he regains consciousness, after some analysis of his intentions on Earth,
he can report to his Coalition that Earth is under Viltrumite protection. Further evaluation attempts will be considered hostile actions."
It was better this way.
Thragg wishes to draw the Coalition out, make them more confused by his 'mercy' as well as not wishing to deal with Mark and Eve acting out and getting closer to the Alien by keeping Allen prisoner.
He also did not currently wish for war till he made Mark stronger so that he can gain from his genetic code the cure for the Scourge Virus that he knew the Coalition was developing.
Mark moved forward to take Allen's unconscious form from Thragg. "I'll take him."
"No," Thragg countered. "Your training session is not complete. I will dispatch a transport drone to remove him from the system." He tapped a control on his wrist, and within moments, a small, sleek vessel appeared from the direction of Earth, hovering nearby.
With casual strength, Thragg placed Allen's unconscious body into the craft, which sealed itself automatically.
After entering coordinates into a control panel, he stepped back as the vessel accelerated away, quickly becoming a distant point of light.
"He will awaken soon enough, I did not hit him too hard," Thragg stated seeing their lingering looks, deciding to give them some comfort.
What Thragg didn't say was that rather than mercy, it was more because he did not wish to accidentally trigger Allen's reactive evolution.
For Thragg has no intention of killing him till he is sure that in this timeline, Allen's abilities aren't in any way enhanced, remaining cautious of the possibility for Eve's apparently are compared to her original timeline counterpart.
He will have the Unopan studied as well because the Grand Regent wishes to understand and perhaps replicate his strength adaptation.
Eve watched the departing vessel with a troubled expression. "Was everything he said about Unopa true?"
"From a certain perspective," Thragg acknowledged. "The Unopans remember themselves as peaceful victims.
They forget the violence of their rebellion, the Coalition operatives who encouraged their resistance, the damage they inflicted before the final response was authorized."
"But you did destroy their planet," Mark pressed.
"Yes," Thragg confirmed without hesitation. "A decision made to preserve the greater stability of the sector and the Empire. One that achieved its intended purpose despite the cost."
The matter-of-fact admission hung in the vacuum between them.
Mark and Eve exchanged glances, both struggling to reconcile the methodical mentor who had trained them for weeks with the ruthless emperor who could order the destruction of an entire civilization despite logically knowing he was always like this.
"Our training session will continue," Thragg announced, as if the interruption had been nothing more than a minor delay.
"Eve, create a series of concentric barriers at varying densities. Mark, you will penetrate them while evading projectiles."
The abrupt return to training left both teenagers momentarily speechless. It was Eve who finally found her voice.
"After what we just heard... you expect us to just continue like nothing happened?"
Thragg regarded her impassively. "What occurred was an interruption containing historical information. It changes nothing about your training requirements or the defensive capabilities you need to develop."
"It changes how we see you," Mark said quietly.
Something flickered in Thragg's expression - so brief that Mark almost missed it. "Your perception is irrelevant to the reality of our situation.
Earth is integrated into the Viltrum Empire. That integration proceeds under my authority. Your training enhances both your personal capabilities and Earth's defensive position.
These facts remain unchanged regardless of your emotional response to past events."
He turned to Eve. "Begin constructing the barriers."
Eve hesitated, looking to Mark.
In that moment of silent communication, they both recognized a troubling truth - despite their misgivings, despite the moral questions raised by Allen's account,
they had developed a pattern of compliance with Thragg's instructions that was difficult to break.
With a slight nod from Mark, Eve began forming concentric pink energy shells in the space above them, her movements mechanical, her expression distant.
Thragg observed without comment, his posture reflecting neither satisfaction nor disappointment at their obedience. "Mark, ascend to the starting position. You will have thirty seconds to penetrate all barriers while evading offensive constructs."
Mark rose slowly, positioning himself where indicated. As he prepared for the exercise, his mind raced with conflicting thoughts.
The Thragg who had patiently corrected his combat forms, who had asked about Eve's family with what seemed like genuine interest, who had helped so many people on Earth - how did that figure reconcile with the destroyer of worlds?
"Begin," Thragg commanded.
Eve's first barrier materialized fully, followed rapidly by projectiles that hurtled toward Mark from multiple angles.
Training took over, his body responding automatically to threats while his mind continued its troubled analysis.
As he dodged, weaved, and smashed through the pink energy constructs, Mark caught glimpses of Thragg watching from below - impassive, analytical, expecting compliance.
And despite everything they had just learned, both he and Eve were providing exactly that.
The realization was unsettling. In mere weeks, they had adapted to Viltrumite authority in ways neither would have predicted.
Not with enthusiasm, not with joy, but with a pragmatic acceptance that seemed to grow more natural with each passing day.
Mark shattered the final barrier just as Thragg's thirty-second countdown concluded. He hovered there, breathing heavily more from emotional turmoil than physical exertion.
"Acceptable," Thragg assessed. "Your reaction time has improved by 12% since our last session. Eve, your barrier density was inconsistent on the fourth layer. Correct this in the next iteration."
Eve nodded automatically, then caught herself, visibly troubled by her own compliant response.
"I think... I think we need some time to process what we just learned," she said carefully.
Thragg studied her for a moment, then shifted his gaze to Mark, who had descended to hover beside her. "Your emotional states are interfering with optimal performance. Inefficient, but not unexpected given your developmental stage and human influence."
He considered for a moment, then continued. "We will conclude today's session. Return to Earth. Resume your normal activities. Report for training at the usual time tomorrow."
The dismissal was clear, yet neither teenager moved immediately.
"Will you answer one more question?" Mark asked.
Thragg inclined his head slightly, permission granted.
"Do you regret it? Any of it? The planets destroyed, the species subjugated?"
Thragg's expression remained unreadable, but he seemed to consider the question with genuine thought rather than dismissing it outright.
"Regret implies that given identical circumstances and information, I would choose differently," he finally replied. "I would not. Each decision was made to ensure Viltrumite survival and galactic stability. The costs were calculated and accepted."
He paused, then added something unexpected. "However, with different circumstances - with the knowledge and capabilities now available -
some situations might be resolved with lower casualty rates while achieving the same strategic objectives. Efficiency improves with experience."
It wasn't the answer Mark had hoped for, but it was more reflection than he had expected.
There was no remorse in Thragg's words, but perhaps a hint that even the Grand Regent's methods could change.
"We'll see you tomorrow," Mark said finally, the statement somewhere between resignation and acceptance.
Eve created a fresh energy bubble around herself, and together, they departed the lunar surface, accelerating toward the blue-green sphere of Earth below. Thragg remained on the moon, a solitary figure watching their descent.
-------------------------
Neither spoke until they had reentered Earth's atmosphere, the friction creating a momentary communications blackout that offered privacy.
"Do you believe him?" Eve asked as they slowed their descent over the Atlantic. "About Unopa? About it being necessary?"
Mark considered the question carefully. "I don't know. I believe he thinks it was necessary. But necessary for what? For the Empire? For control? For his vision of order?"
"He didn't seem to take any pleasure in it," Eve noted. "It was just... mathematics to him. Sacrificing one planet to save many."
"Does that make it better or worse?" Mark wondered aloud.
They flew in silence for several minutes, the vast ocean passing beneath them.
"The scariest part," Eve finally said, "is how easily we just went back to training after hearing all that. Like it was just another piece of information to file away."
Mark nodded, the same thought having troubled him. "I know. A few months ago, I would have... I don't know, tried to fight him or something. Now it's like..."
"Like we're getting used to it," Eve finished for him. "To him. To how things are now."
"Yeah."
Another stretch of silence followed as they approached the North American coastline.
"He asked about my parents," Eve said suddenly. "About my dad. It was weird, but... he wasn't wrong about what he said."
Mark glanced at her. "The part about your dad's reaction being his problem, not yours?"
"Yeah." Eve's energy field fluctuated slightly with her emotions. "It was almost like he was trying to make me feel better. In his own weird, clinical way."
"He does that sometimes," Mark agreed. "Like he's trying to be... I don't know, not exactly supportive, but..."
"Like a really awkward, emotionally stunted uncle who secretly cares but has no idea how to show it?" Eve suggested.
Mark laughed despite himself. "Yeah, exactly. A terrifying, planet-destroying uncle who's way too invested in my training and keeps finding reasons for us to work together."
Eve's cheeks colored slightly. "You noticed that too?"
"It's not exactly subtle," Mark replied with a small smile. "Though I'm pretty sure 'tactical synergy optimization' is the most unromantic matchmaking attempt in history."
They both laughed, the tension of the day's revelations briefly broken. As their laughter faded, a more somber mood returned.
"What do we do with what we learned today?" Eve asked quietly.
Mark considered the question, watching the landscape pass beneath them as they crossed over the eastern seaboard. "I don't know," he admitted.
"It doesn't change our situation. Earth is still under Viltrumite rule. Thragg is still in charge. We're still... whatever we are. Students? Subjects?"
"But knowing what they did to Allen's people - what Thragg did - it matters, doesn't it?"
"It has to," Mark agreed. "I just don't know how yet."
They descended toward their usual separation point - a quiet stretch of forest outside the city where they could part ways without observation.
"Same time tomorrow?" Eve asked as they touched down among the trees.
"Yeah," Mark confirmed after a moment's hesitation. "Same time tomorrow."
Eve created a fresh energy platform and departed toward her home, Mark remained for a couple more hours in the forest clearing, thinking, before he eventually left for home as well.
-----------------------
(Author note: Hope you guys liked the chapter.
But man, writing Thragg so... cold is even getting difficult for me. I really gotta get him to somehow soften up a bit - logically of course.
Also, tell me have you noticed the subtle influence of Thragg in Mark and Eve's word choices?
Because they're spending so much time with him - they always having to speak formally to him - are getting a bit used to speaking that way.
Though, no worries, I have no intention of making them like Thragg, or even a normal Viltrumite that is reporting for duty and all that.
It's only for when Thragg is around.
Also, tell me what do you think can get Thragg to lighten up a little?
Well, I hope to see you all later,
Bye!)