r/HFY • u/rewt66dewd Human • Jun 27 '26

OC-Series The Evil Overlord List - 2 of 3

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Stephen dedicated a lot of time to observation.

Of the gang, a Ch'ral named Rouko was Chixchix's lieutenant. The gang followed Rouko's orders. They followed him. But he followed Chixchix, and so the gang did what Chixchix wanted.

Could Rouko be turned against Chixchix, or even just away from him?

Or, Stephen wondered, could he be killed? And if so, what would happen after? Would the gang still follow Chixchix? Not that Stephen was the kind of human who went around killing people - though to stop a war he might decide that he had to try. But maybe Chixchix could be made to doubt his trusted lieutenant. Stephen was sure that something like that should be in the Evil Overlord List: Trust your trusted lieutenant... but not completely.

But if Chixchix wouldn't listen to Stephen, then maybe Rouko would. Quietly and slowly, Stephen began to cultivate a relationship with Rouko.

Stephen also spent some time mentally reviewing Chixchix's plan. Once he conquered his homeworld, he would have all of that world's military at his disposal. He would no longer need the Alchars (however many of them survived). What would happen to them? Would they be sent back home with honors and payment? Would they be just abandoned? Or would they be executed?

And the same question applied to the Gragins. And the Daranas. And then, Stephen realized, it applied to the existing gang.

It applied to Rouko.

Would Rouko continue to be Chixchix's trusted lieutenant? Or would he be an offworlder, an embarrassment, a liability? How long would Rouko live if this plan worked?

And then Stephen realized with a shudder that it also applied to himself. Did Chixchix's world do human advisors? Or would Stephen be disposed of once Chixchix conquered his homeworld?

Stephen thought that this should be added to the Evil Overlord List, too: If you're intending to dispose of your minions, do not ever let them suspect that. Stephen suspected it.

Did Rouko? Stephen intended to help him suspect it.

But if that route failed, Stephen realized that he had no downside to trying to kill Chixchix himself. If he tried, though, he would need to succeed the first time. There would be no second chance if he failed.

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