Beneath Mercy Isle

Ryu curled up in a corner of the cave and sighed. Even though the mutants had been cleared out, the cave still smelled like Snakes. To most, it was the same dry, dusty, "scaly" scent that accompanied most reptiles. Ryu, though, smelled chemicals and mutagens and the subtle smell of something that had once been human. He snorted and stretched, uncoiling along the fire-warmed rock wall and digging his claws into the sandy floor.

His servants had taken some of the money they had acquired and were attempting to purchase more of the things Ryu needed. Jewels and gold were expensive, however, and so those comforts would have to wait while more important things were acquired. Tea and the proper utensils, a number of space-heaters and a truck to haul them in, and food...

Ryu growled and rubbed his scales on a sharp rock to scratch. Food would be troublesome. He was making do as the people on the Isles did for now, but the food was neither nutritious nor filling. And most of it tasted like the Isles looked. Soon, though, the hunger would be upon him. He would need at least a cow or a few sheep. And not what passed for meat on the Isles. Something more suitable to his digestion.

It was becoming clear that this "Recluse" did not care for these Isles as was proper. He lived in them and kept his forces here, but his attention was elsewhere. It would take very little effort to make the Isles a more suitable place to live and to make its people prosperous. Ryu was sure that with the right nudges in the right places, the people of the Isles could be made to see this. Made to see that they did not have a proper ruler. Made to see that their best course of action was to depose this "Recluse" and put a new ruler in his place. A better emperor.

Ryu sighed and coiled back up once again, sighing contentedly as he drifted off to sleep. When the time came, he would safe and happy again. And he would have many, many servants to see to his needs. It was only fitting. Only fair.