Read Monsters Win Wars: A Novella for Free Online

possibility of deception.
If this was just a trick being pulled by someone, I don’t know who
maybe one of my generals, and I fell for it…well you can imagine
how foolish I’d look.” Sallis smiled that enormous shit-eating grin
that he’d plastered on at the press conferences. Henry hated that
grin.
    “But it would appear that they were indeed
real. Tell me, what are you giving them in return for their help?”
Sallis asked.
    “That’s not important.” Henry said. “Now what
is the authorization code for the-”
    “Did you promise them some land?” Sallis
asked. Henry didn’t say anything. “You traitor, I bet you promised
them Mars.”
    “I need the override codes for the
fleet-”
    “Or did you actually promise them a seat in
public office?”
    “Tell me the codes.”
    “It’s hilarious, the leader of the
revolution, defender of the people, willing to sell his soul to
lizard men so he can have power.”
    “That’s not what’s happening!” Henry
shouted.
    “Okay, then what is happening?” Sallis asked.
“Why are they helping you?” Henry explained, in as few words as he
could, Aric’s reasons for wanting to aid in the resistance.
    “And you believe that?” Sallis asked.
    “They’ve helped me to capture you. That’s
enough.” Henry said.
    “Oh c’mon, you really think it’s that
simple?”
    “I don’t have time for this. Give me
the-”
    “I’m not telling you shit.” Sallis said. “My
men are going to come here, kill all of you, and I’ll be back on
Earth before they can put your head on a pike.”
    Henry punched the president in the face.
Sallis was thrown to the ground.
    “Henry!” Emily said. Henry stood up from the
table, and looked down at the president sprawled on the floor. He
was breathing hard, and his hands had balled into fists. Sallis
grunted, as he began to push himself off the ground. Emily had run
over to Henry, and grabbed him by his shoulders.
    “Henry, stop.” She said. Sallis looked up at
the rebel leader, and rubbed at the side of his head, as a smile
creased his face.
    “You know you’re so innocent.” He said,
pushing himself off the ground. Emily was still holding Henry back,
and Sallis began to sit himself up. “You look at the world, and
think that everything is so simple, that if you just speak the
truth and work for the common man, that everything will just work
out.”
    “But things aren’t that simple. The only
truth is that while legions of soldiers scour the stars for me, you
sit in a hole on some godforsaken rock, waiting to rot. Your lizard
men can’t save you. Nothing can. This is the only thing your
idealism has gotten you.”
    Henry punched him again, and Sallis laughed
as he fell to the ground. Emily then dragged him out to the door.
Sallis continued to laugh as they closed the door behind him.
     
    “Is everything alright?” Aric asked as they
exited the cell.
    “Yeah, I just...” Henry trailed off, feeling
shame and anger well-up inside him. He’d let himself lose control.
He knew that he might have to get physical, but he didn’t want to
act like a madman. He turned to Emily, and said, “Thanks.”
    “No problem.” She said, patting him on the
back.
    “Why did you stop?” Rand asked. The two
humans looked at him. “You were just starting to do it right.”
    “I…I didn’t want to risk hurting him anymore
than I needed to.”
    “It doesn’t matter what you want boy. The
fact is we need that information, and we need it fast.”
    “I know that!” Henry shouted. He stopped and
took a deep breath before saying, “We’ll wait another few minutes,
then I’ll go-”
    “No it won’t work.” Aric said. “He knows that
he can get to you.”
    “I won’t blow my top this time. I know now to
be careful with him.”
    “That’s not what I mean. He’s seen you with
your guard down. Your threats won’t work as easily.”
    “I don’t need to threaten. I just need to
emphasize that we have the upper hand.”
    “But