Seven of Nine - Christie Golden [59]
Xanarit found his voice. "The Emperor is always right," he managed.
"Of course. This was a sad thing to have to show you, but a triumph for the Empire in that we discovered Elebon's treachery and will eventually find out who aided him. On a happier note, I wish to present someone out of the tales of old-a legend come to life, that none of you have ever been lucky enough to meet until now."
Again the doors opened. The being that came forward was as different from poor, brutalized Elebon Boma as night from day. It scuttled forward on too many legs, looked at the assembled lora with too many eyes.
"May I present Kraa T'Krr, the head of the Ku."
Kraa's hideous head swiveled, the multiple eyes focusing on each member of the lora in turn. He lifted the upper part of his body and settled back on large rear appendages. Xanarit felt as though he were living a nightmare. The rumors of the Ku, dreadful though they were, had not prepared him for the obscene reality. They were giant insects, motivated only by hatred and a desire to kill beings whose blood ran warm in their veins. For a brief, shameful moment, Xanarit was intensely grateful that his people were reptilian.
"Don't pretend you haven't heard the tales," chided Beytek. "Everyone has. And here he is, standing before you. The time has come to bring all my arms into synch, Kraa. Please inform the lora of your mission-and its pending success."
Black, shiny antennae waved in response. Kraa's mandibles opened and closed and his body began to vibrate, moving in a series of jerks and poses. Like the tariflies that communicate where the nectar upon which they feed is located, thought Xanarit, swallowing his disgust and horror.
The ornate translating mechanisms that the lora and the Emperor wore as necklaces about their thick throats translated the bizarre dance-click words.
"His Most Excellent Worthiness Beytek the Sev las enth sent us on a mission of honor and glory," "said" Kraa. "The disgusting Skedans rose from the ashes of their world and flaunted their lives. Such a revelation could not be home. His Most Excellent Worthiness sent us, the Ku, Killers of the Warms, Destroyers of the Foul, Slayers of those who are not holy, to end the wretched lives of the Skedans swiftly and with great delight. But the evil things had allies, fellow Warms who are ferrying them away from the skilled Ku. Our ships, never before harmed, were destroyed. Wicked, wicked, to know our secrets thus!"
The translator emitted a shrill sound of anger, apparently untranslatable. Xanarit winced at the volume. Kraa continued.
"We are in pursuit, only to find that they are coming here, as if making a gift of themselves and their passengers to the Emperor!"
Xanarit found it difficult to breathe. It was all falling apart, right before his eyes. His plan was about to fail all because of a foolish, selfish emperor and his loathsome, hate-filled assassins.
"A gift indeed," said Beytek. "Here is what will happen."
CAPTAIN's LOG, suppLEmENTAL.
SEVEN of NINE APPEARS to be fully recovered, with the exception of the bird snow about twenty-who seem to be her constant companions. Thanks to her knowledge about the Skedans, we have been able to take appropriate measures to contain them. The Doctor may not be enjoying his new assignment, but he's the only hologram for the job.
We have still not been able to determine the nature of the Skedans' weapon. Tamaak Vrs has assured me and I believe him on this-that it will not harm our crew. It was, he said, "specifically designed for the Emperor, " and besides, they have no grudge against US.
Still, I have to confess that the thought of that unknown alien weapon sitting in our sickbay, force field around it or not, is an unsettling one.
Despite the deception of the Skedans, their cause is just. I have spoken with the leader of the Emperor's elite advisory council, Xanarit, and have arranged