The devil’s movements were slippery and sly—he maneuvered like a serpent before the throne. His stubby little tail still whipped back and forth behind him while his chin remained held high arrogantly.
“So, you see, Your Highness, I’ve been doing a great deal of thinking lately, and I have a proposition that I know You will not refuse,” Lucifer said, strolling back and forth as he scratched his chin with one hand and held the other behind his back. The words came from his lips with a great deal of calculation and cunningness, as if to be delicately withering like a hunter through high grass, trying his best not to alarm his prey.
“Where have you come from, and what is it you want, Lucifer? It seems as if your requests are becoming more and more frequent,” the Chief responded.
“I’ve been in Your presence but three times,” Lucifer shot back with an innocent shrug.
“Three times… in the past week,” Gabriel, who was also near the throne, fired back, challenging Lucifer's assertion. Gabriel was known as one never to back down from a challenge, which was why he and Michael had become close comrades. At that moment, his arms began to tighten, and his fists clenched with a sudden flash of rage. It caught the devil by surprise, and he stopped for a moment in his tracks. He slumped his shoulders in a defeated manner and lowered his head, fixing his eyes upon the ground.
“Yes, yes. Three times,” he responded, regaining his composure. He strolled a few more times and then stopped, pivoting and protruding his chest to Gabriel and speaking directly to him.
“Is that a problem?” he answered back. Without waiting for an answer, he began to saunter again.
“Lucifer.” The Chief’s voice was a resounding thunder. Whenever He spoke, those in His presence straightened their backs, becoming all the more silent.
Lucifer stopped and, at once, came to attention. “Yes, Your Highness,” he answered.
“You still have not answered Me,” the Commander said.
“I’m sorry, Your Highness, it seems that I must have forgotten the question,” Lucifer replied sheepishly.
“Where have you come from?” the Commander asked.
The devil began to quietly mutter under his breath, his forehead nearly parallel to the ground. “Mr. Omnipotence Himself is curious as to what a poor little devil like me is doing? Could it be? I’m honored that I’ve become the apple of Your eye, Your Highness…”
“Answer the question, Lucifer,” the Chief commanded.
“Of course! Yes. Your question. My men and I have been patrolling the Earth, of course, going back and forth and back and forth within it. Have You dropped in on Your chosen country lately? Or, shall I dare say, once chosen. There's already so much evil to see; it's quite wonderful.”
“As I knew you would be,” the Commander responded. “Have you found any prospects?”
“Today I come with no prospects, only plans.”
“Oh really? What type of plans? Please amuse Me.”
“Only the most devious, as You know, Your Highness.”
“Make them plain, Lucifer.”
“At your request. As you know, it's nearing the beginning of the new decade, and I would like to release something wonderful throughout all the Earth that will destroy, I mean test, Your people and all the other Earth Dwellers.”
“Lucifer, you of all agents should know that I do not dwell nor operate in time.”
“Yes, Your Highness, I stand corrected. It is now the season for me to begin my greatest work, for the order of things on the Earth is just as I’d like it,” the devil responded.
“So, you’re here for no one specific. Interesting,” the Commander replied.
“It seems as if a better strategy, given the advancements in their technology, would be to take a more collective approach.”
“I see.” The Commander sat up on the throne, straightened His back, and raised His head. “I’m not lacking confidence in those who give Me their allegiance. And…”
“Commander!” Michael, the seraph, began to protest. Michael, just like Gabriel, was one given to fighting and war, for it was within his very nature; however, unlike his closest seraphim, he had learned through experience not to get so worked up and now exhibited the kind of emotional intelligence that lent itself well to leading many legions of fighting angels. At this moment, nevertheless, he could no longer withhold or maintain a sense of neutrality. He knew what Lucifer was requesting could be the beginning of an all-out war.
“No, no, it’s fine. As I have said, I am confident those who give Me their ultimate allegiance will meet any new challenges with great fervency, regardless of whatever this villain throws at them. Lucifer, whatever it is you intend to do as you have described it this hour, you have my permission.”
There was a gasp amongst those in the inner courts.
Lucifer’s eyes narrowed, and he gave off a devilish smile. “Easier than I thought! But You just watch; You take away everything Your so-called followers have, and every last one of those Earth Dwellers will curse you to your fa—”
“But,” the Commander interjected before Lucifer could finish, “you must divulge these plans before you administer them. To the Earth Dwellers.”
“I will not. An impossible and implausible request. I refuse,” Lucifer responded.
