"Why should they aid you? You have betrayed them," Blayze replied.
"To save their own necks. I hold the power over these weredragons. I alone can choose who leaves with me and who dies here today."
"The weredragons are not yours. They are free men and loyal to me," Maxxus told him.
"Not any longer. Their lives are mine to command. Every being on Earth will answer to me after today. I will truly rule the world. I will be regarded as the savior." Suddenly, his fist hit Blayze in the head, right across the stitches. Blood ran down his face and into his eyes. The president took that moment to try and wiggle free. If Blayze were human, he might have escaped. Instead, his abuse caused the weredragon's aggression to rise.
Swiftly, Blayze pulled a laser from his waist and held it against the human's head. "Let me finish this, Belle. He has told the world enough."
"He's made the admission we were seeking, but there is more to be heard. He has yet to mention the biological weapon and his plans for its use. Although, we may have been wrong. He doesn't appear intelligent enough to be the mastermind behind it all. Perhaps he too is thought of by someone as a minion," Belle taunted. "It's possible he was promised power for providing the microchips."
"I answer to no one," he spat out, splattering Belle's face. "I'm more intelligent than you will ever be. I saw through that pitiful disguise. You don't share the same elegant dignity as the Prime Minister of Norway. You're a common female, almost as unworthy of life as the Talonians. You were used the same as the dragons. I wanted you here to head the investigation. A silly, soft-hearted female who was easily misled was the perfect choice. I admit, you showed more spunk than I imagined you would have. You caused a few kinks in my plan by rescuing the weredragons from CIA headquarters. That scared your director, and he fled, but in the end, he was lost along with a ship full of innocents. More lives to punish the Talonians for. Of course, I'm the mastermind. I'm a genius. It doesn't matter that you or anyone here knows the truth. It will never leave this castle. The world's population can't hear us."
"Why bring weredragons here today? Isn't it illogical to frighten the leaders when you want them to vote to break the alliance and make you all-powerful?" Belle questioned, ignoring his statement. "Why aren't they attacking and saving their master?"
"The weredragons are programmed to obey me. They won't attack until I give the code. Should they try, the pain would be excruciating. It has happened so often, they are rather tame unless I order differently. I don't care if the leaders are frightened. There wasn't going to be a vote. I led them here like lambs to the slaughter. Once they die, I'll be Earth's only leader. I never intended for them to live. I am far too intelligent to think they would give their power over to me."
"What happens to those who helped you execute your plan: the scientists, CIA, and government agents around the world?"
"They'll remain obedient to me or die as well. If you're useless, you're not wanted. Now, you know everything, but it doesn't mean much. I'll deny saying any of it should you try to tell someone. Not that you could. You'll never leave this castle."
"How do you plan on stopping us?" Belle asked.
He raised his arms. Blayze jerked him tighter.
"It's okay. Let him show us," Maxxus growled.
He pressed his right cufflink, expecting to see the weredragons in pain and ready to do his bidding. Instead, they bowed to Maxxus.
The president kept pressing. He became panicked and sweaty. He was writhing in Blayze's hold; spittle erupted from his mouth like a mad dog. His face was red and his eyes bloodshot.
In disgust, Blayze allowed him to fall to the floor. He scrambled to rise and flee. But there was nowhere to go, and his legs refused to hold him.
"All the pain and death you caused was for naught," Blayze told him. "I have lost a part of myself for nothing but your ego and entertainment. I hope they put one of your microchips in your head as part of your punishment."
"I don't understand. What went wrong? My plan was infallible," he sobbed. "No, wait. I can salvage this. Even without the microchips, you can die." In desperation, he tried to crawl between the legs of the weredragons to the door. Surprisingly, they didn't stop him.
But, Belle's voice did. "You're free to leave. You won't get far. Everyone out there is anxious to get their hands on you. There's nowhere to hide. Blayze was wearing a COM link that broadcast every word you said. The world heard your confession, and they know you were responsible for the deaths of their loved ones."
"No! You can't win. I have others to aid me, men and women willing to give their own lives for mine."
"If you are speaking of those like my second in command, they are all imprisoned," England's Prime Minister spoke up. "The CIA director is alive and well. We captured all of your cohorts, and they are telling us all your lies."
"If that is true, then I will die with you. At least I will retain the satisfaction of destroying those who did not believe in me," the president cried out. He choked on his tears as he called out the code, "Force to die for."
Blayze's anger and aggression gave way to laughter. "It is you who is the fool. Have you not realized your weapons are of no use? The contaminated weredragons were switched with unharmed ones. Maxxus has more control than you over us. Despite their agony, the ones you recruited obeyed him and surrendered. They are being operated on now. The microchips and biologic will be removed and destroyed. We are free, and the alliance stands, stronger than ever."
The president's eyes glazed over, drool dripped from his lips, and he paled. The truth proved too much for him to handle. He grabbed his chest as the heart attack overcame him. Belle rushed forward to aid him, but she was too late. He was gone in an instant. He would never stand trial or be punished for his crimes.
