Back at the tulip fields....

[It has been over an hour. They should have arrived by now.] A red ball-shaped virus agent muttered as it busied itself with infecting a eukaryotic cell. [Time for the next part of the plan.]

The TMV agent emerged from the infected cell and headed straight to the launch pad. After setting his coordinates to a tulip with lesions on its petals and leaves, the TMV agent ejected itself towards the tulip. Once the pollen pod landed within the tulip, the virus agent rushed out towards the heart of the tulip.

[We have an important message for Lady Tully!] The TMV agent signaled as it rushed past a couple of sequent guards.

The TMV agent stopped before an infected cell and waited for Lady Tully’s approval. After a few microseconds, the sequent received an answer. Lady Tully called out in an aloof manner and allowed the TMV agent to enter.

[Come in! What is it that you want to report to me?] The snake-like monster peered down at her child without a care in the world.

[Your Ladyship! That new complex leader is too audacious!] The TMV agent complained as it looked towards Lady Tully to get an idea of her reaction.

But, the TBV sequent agent waved dismissively as she gently wrapped herself around a yellow ball-shaped virus agent. The TMV agent looked at the frightened Scutchgrass Mosaic Virus agent and felt sorry for them. The sequent knew that the SMV agent will suffer soon.

The TMV agent paused for a bit before explaining what had happened. [The recently elected complex leader has failed their assignment. It’s been more than an hour since their assignment and there have been no word from them.]

[Oh? What of their other sequent agents?] Lady Tully perked up and looked over at the TMV agent.

The TMV sequent continued without pause. [No reaction. We believe they are trying to hide their failure for as long as possible.]

[Audacious.] Lady Tully harrumphed as a slight tinge of anger rose up within her. [The assignment isn’t even that hard. How could they fail so easily? It’s just a trip to the neighboring bluegrass field to infect a blade of bluegrass.]

[Looks like they aren’t as strong as we thought they were.] The TMV agent reasoned.

[Looks like it.] Lady Tully sneered as her hold of the SMV agent tightened. [Kill them all. Our fields do not have space for useless trash.]

[As Your Ladyship wishes!] The TMV agent saluted before heading out to carry Lady Tully’s orders.

[Wait!] The TBV sequent exclaimed.

[Yes, Your Ladyship?] The TMV agent came back.

Lady Tully paused for a bit before changing her mind. [Bring them to me. We may have a use for them after all.]

The TMV sequent sneered as they understood Lady Tully’s intentions. [Yes, right away, Your Ladyship!]

The TMV agent hurried out of the infected cell and relayed orders for Moss’s capture. Meanwhile, Lady Tully chuckled to herself while she shifted her position and tightened her grasps. The SMV agent struggled helplessly and even pleaded for Lady Tully to let them go. However, the TBV sequent looked at the small virus agent and clenched.

POP! SQUISH!

The monstrous snake-like sequent lunged at the squishy mess and slurped up the fluids with gusto. After a while, Lady Tully looked up and sighed. [Just a few more…just a few more and we’ll rank up!]