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Commander West’s top lip curled. “We assumed that was you. You think you will win over the public with your lies about us?”

“Some of them will believe,” said Jude. “It will plant seeds of doubt. You might discover your hypnotic suggestions aren’t so effective. You can’t control everyone forever.”

“We don’t need forever,” said Commander West. “We just need to control you until our plans are complete.”

“Then you will kill everybody?”

“You will become surplus to our requirements,” said Commander West, testing his injury by swinging his arms. “At which point, a few of you might be saved. It’s always good not to exterminate an entire species. We will need willing participants for future experimentations.”

Jude glowered at him. “We’re not your test subjects.”

“You are if we choose that for you.” Commander West smirked at Octavia. “I see you consider this one of value. But not valuable enough to surrender yourselves. Still, I knew you would come for your woman. I wanted to see how far you would go.”

“She’s her own woman,” growled Jude. “And she was doing a damn good job of taking care of herself.”

Commander West frowned. “She has been tainted by her association with you. That will be to her detriment.”

“Don’t listen to him,” said Octavia.

Jude winked at her. “Nothing he can say worries me.”

“Before I have you both killed,” said Commander West, “I am interested in learning how you discovered our true form.”

“It’s easy to work out. There’s no way you can be human,” said Octavia. “You’re too cruel.”

“Humanity is not always benevolent,” said Commander West.

“It’s the rank breath that’s the real giveaway,” said Jude. “You all have the same foul stench. No disguise can hide that.”

Commander West scowled. “You humans arrogantly assumed you were the superior species. We saw the dragons grow fat and weak as they served you. It was a disgrace. It had to be stopped.”

“Now everyone knows the truth about you,” said Jude. “They know you cannot be trusted.”

“But how do you know?” Commander West raised an eyebrow. “How did you discover our true identity?”

“It was thanks to the dragon hybrids,” said Jude.

Commander West tilted his head. “Explain. A freak of nature knows about us?”

“You shouldn’t discount their abilities. They helped us figure out what you are.”

“Sir, perhaps we should get you to medical?” The guard next to Commander West gestured to the door.

“I am already healing. You humans are downed by the simplest of injuries. No wonder you were so easy to conquer.”

“Yes, sir.” The guard bowed his head. “Sorry, sir.”

Commander West dismissed him with a wave of his hand.

“You haven’t conquered us,” said Jude. “We’re still fighting against you.”

Commander West slammed his fist into Jude’s stomach. “Enough! You are to be made an example of. You will renounce the lies about the State before your public execution.”

Jude tried to grab air, his tender ribs protesting at the assault. “It’s never going to happen.”

Commander West hit him again. “It will. Or I’ll kill the lovely Octavia in front of you. The last thing you’ll hear before you die will be her tortured screams as she blames you for her death.”

Jude stared at Octavia. She was hiding it well, but he could see she was scared. He focused on Commander West. “Admit it, you are losing control.”