A lone figure, cloaked in a dark hood, sat hunched on a cargo crate in an unused cargo bay on Starbase 51. He kept his head down and his hood up, covering his face. He sat motionless, patient, thinking. He sat there for hours, waiting. Waiting for his companions to arrive. Waiting for their report.

He subtly moved his right hand over his left, feeling the deep scars on his grey skinned hands. He smiled slightly at the memory of those scars. The scars, the mark of the warrior, and, in his case, these scars represented his seniority in his class. The warrior class, equal status with the priests, leaders of their empire. He smiled at the thought, proud of his status, and of his empire. His particular scars stated his status as Aspect of the Skin, 1st class, or if he were to use the human equivalent, Captain. This was his command, one he had had many times, always successful.

These humans were clever though, if blind. His team had infiltrated the star base at its highest levels and they didn’t even notice. The true compliment of his command, this made him smile. What further evidence did he need that the goddess Asmosdis had blessed him? What other evidence was needed? This was his fifth command, his fifth infiltration mission. Each carried out with precision and subtlety. He enjoyed his last mission immensely.

That mission, it was he who struck the first blow, that sent that pathetic little military station into chaos. Driving the blade that killed the commander, just moments before the attack began, the beginning of the end. The blood of that commander he gave to Asmosdis in ritual. To feed her strength, to bless him for this next mission. This first step in what promises to be a glorious fight, for this Federation was the largest civilization they had ever encountered. He looked forward to having hundreds of slaves at his disposal.

He continued motionless for a while longer, his thoughts on the past and future, but he never stopped paying attention to the surrounding area. The current of the air was what he most paid attention to. Then, one moment, there was a slight change in the wind pattern. The figure didn’t even look up.

“Your late.” He stated simply, still staring down at the floor.

“I had what humans call paper work to complete. They are sniffing around, couldn’t risk my cover.” The other said, to the right of the hooded figure. The hooded leader just nodded in his acceptance of the reasoning. For he was patient, and this one was his trusted second. Another slight breeze, from his left.

The leader stood up slowly. “We are all here, kneel for prayer.” The two others kneeled before the leader, from the sounds of their movement, he knew that they too were wearing this hooded robes.

“May Asmosdis, our mother, bless us as we carry out her mission.” They said quietly in unison. “We live for her glory, and in this, we submit ourselves to her. With this sacrifice, We bind ourselves to her, forever and always.” Each one, pulled out a small dagger from their cloaks, and quickly cut across their own forearms. The dagger, a special one for members of the leaders group, absorbed the blood, while cauterizing the wound with a fresh scar.

“Asmosdis, our mother, our lives are yours to serve.” They said in unison, with no indication of pain or discomfort in their voice, they held the blades up towards their leader, and watched as the blood was absorbed into the blade. This prayer was brief, but approved for there mission. One by one they returned the dagger to their cloaks and the two stood up in front of their leader.

“What is your report number 2?” the leader asked, still hooded, still looking down.

“I wasn’t able to fully determine what the Admiral has, I was distracted and unable to cloak or listen in on the conversation.” The 2nd stated

“Distracted?” the leader asked.

“Yes, The women wouldn’t leave. I did learn that the Admiral is sending them on a deep space assignment, towards our forces and our training base.”

“An advanced scout, very good. And you?” he said to the third.

“I have gathered the information I need, I am ready to start my mission at your command first.” The third stated with confidence in his voice.

“May Asmosdis bless you.” First stated.

“May Asmosdis give you strength and wisdom First.” Third stated in reply, before a breath of wind marked his disappearance.

“Keep trying to figure out what the Admiral has on us.” First said, turning very slightly towards his second. There was no disappointment in his voice, just flat. “I have been given orders, and an advanced force will arrive shortly. If I feel it would be advantageous of us, I can start the next phase early.”

This surprised the Second, but knew better than the question the first. “There is one more thing, My contact has told me that one of these refugees has been talking about us to the new arrivals. I request your blessing.”

“May Asmosdis bless you.” First stated simply. A breath of wind indicated the departure. The first sat back down on the cargo crate, his thoughts turning the mission.

-GMT