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The Hev that appeared on screen was monstrous. The camera angle was clearly meant to give that impression, but it could not be mistaken. Ks’Kull was a giant of a Hev, his head and eyes almost dwarfed on his body that had clearly been altered through numerous genetic and surgical operations. The natural keratin armor plates that Hev warrior caste possessed on their shoulders and back were buffed until they shone like metal, and his limbs rippled with muscles and hints of mechanical enhancements that surely made him stronger still.
He would have towered over anyone on the bridge by nearly half a meter, and possessed two sets of arms; the main hulking and clearly useful only for violence, their nails turned into stout claws, and a second set that were smaller, for more mundane matters.
His eyes drew the most attention, however; Hev sclera were often brown, but his were a deep red, like blood. They held a glint of bloodlust and madness that made Brooks feel a trickle of nervousness.
He pushed that aside however.
“Overlord Ks’Kull, you honor us with your presence,” he began.
“You intrude in my sacred space, human,” Ks’Kull replied. his voice was far deeper and rougher than most Hev, with an undercurrent of fury that befit his appearance. “Yet I promise your safety – for now.”
“Thank you,” Brooks said. “For honoring the existing agreement.” To any other being, his words might have seemed mocking, but among the factions of more violent Hev, it was an honest expression, and taken that way.
“You accept, then, the reality of our claim,” Ks’Kull stated.
Decinus stepped forward. “I am Ambassador Decinus, and I speak on these matters for the Union. I will not mince words with one of your importance, Overlord; before we can consider your claim, we must confer with the T’H’Tul Hev clan with whom you are currently at war.”
The Hev’s eyes rolled in his head visibly, focusing now on Decinus. His stare was withering.
“This lesser speaks for you, Captain?” Ks’Kull hissed to Brooks.
“In negotiations, he is my equal,” Brooks replied. “This is how we function.”
Ks’Kull said nothing, considering Decinus.
Then the communication ended.
Brooks looked to Eboh.
The man was scrambling. “I’m not sure if the call was dropped or cut, sir. Their comm ship appears to be overheating, but I am not certain . . .”
He considered. “It is not abnormal for Hev of great power to behave this way. He may well call back in a minute.”
“Damn, that’s wasteful as hell,” Urle said. “It’s the opening of the channel that costs so much, far more than maintaining it.”
“He’s sending a message, then,” Decinus said. “But Lord! I have never met a being like that. I do not look forward to being in a room with him.”
Brooks did not, either, but it couldn’t be helped – not if they wanted to complete their mission.
“Hopefully we can conclude this quickly-“
“They are messaging us again, Captain,” Eboh said.
“Show it,” Brooks said with a sigh.
When Ks’Kull appeared again, he was sitting in a vast, throne-like chair. One covered in skulls that appeared to be from other Hev – likely other warlords, judging from their own size and mutations. They were gilded, though in his smaller set of hands he held a fresh skull, still the soft gray of natural Hev bone, which he stroked in an almost fond fashion.
“You wish entry into the core of the system to speak to the Condemned, Insultuous Tul?”
His words were archaic and alien to the point that Brooks realized his system had had to invent a new word to even attempt to render what Ks’Kull had just said.
He hesitated, but Decinus spoke.
“That is an essential part of our mission, Overlord,” he said.
“Why?” Ks’Kull demanded.
“It is our way,” Decinus said. “We must understand both sides.”
Ks’Kull leaned forward. “I have yet to learn of a reason I should have a care of your opinion. You are not Hev. You have no claim to this system. Your people do not even know mine.”
“This can change, Overlord,” Decinus said. “The Sapient Union is a great and vast body – you know this. Friendly relations with us will be of increasing importance to you and your . . . ambitions, in the growing future. We do not wish for conflict, and it is best for all parties that we thoroughly understand each other now. To lay the groundwork for future diplomatic relations.”
“You wish to give aid to the disgusting usurpers who dared take what is mine,” Ks’Kull hissed, his claws gouging into the skull he held.
“With respects, Overlord – the T’H’Tul were here prior to your claim,” Decinus stated.
“It was mine by right long before they arrived. All stars Ks’Kull reaches for are his. By right of conquest, even if not yet made. I have said it – and thus it is.”
Brooks glanced to Decinus, keeping his face neutral.
Decinus kept his eyes on Ks’Kull. “If this is how you view it, then I am pleased to understand your thinking. However, we still acknowledge the prior claims of the T’H’Tul. That does not mean, however, that we come to bring conflict. Our goal is to find a solution that is beneficial to all parties – yourself, the Tul, and the Sapient Union. If all parties could win – that is certainly something to aim for, yes?”
Ks’Kull leapt to his feet, and threw the skull to the deck, where it shattered.
And the call ended again.
“Watch for missile launches,” Brooks barked. “Prepare all defense systems.” They had time if an attack was going to be launched, but he still was not sure if that’s what was even happening.
“Sir,” Eboh said. “Their comms ship, her heat levels are spiking. Ks’Kull is making another FTL communciation, but not to us.”
“Can we tell where the signal is going?”
“I cannot be certain,” Cenz said. “But I believe they are communicating to the Fesha ship. Looking back over the logs, I believe the Fesha ship attempted several communications with Ks’Kull prior to and after he messaged us, but I cannot tell if they were rejected or not.”
“So now he’s talking to them,” Urle said. “The only question is why – is he already under their control?” He looked to Brooks. “Do you think they’ll tell him to attack us?”
“No,” Brooks decided. “I don’t think so. It would too easily be traced to them, and they do not act this openly. Ks’Kull has nothing to gain from attacking us, and a lot to lose.”
“That communication has ended, Captain. And he’s messaging us again.”
It came up, and Ks’Kull was heaving with angered breath. The sight of it raised a thousand alarms in Brooks’s head, and he felt sure that despite the insanity of it, Ks’Kull was about to declare war against the Sapient Union.
But he didn’t. Instead, he spoke calmly.
“Enter the system. Speak to the dead. There is no good you can offer me other than their lives – and I will take them soon enough. But it will not be said of Overlord Ks’Kull that he is not beneficent and gracious. Move quickly – before I change my mind.”
The call ended abruptly again, and Brooks let out a breath slowly.
“It seems we have achieved our first goal,” Decinus said.
Brooks looked to Urle. “You go with Decinus and N’Keeea – the Bright Flower will be a better choice than the Craton for entering deep into the system. Find the Tul – or whatever remains of them – and learn all you can.”
He paused, finding no other option. “And tell them to begin preparations for evacuation. I believe it is the only way we can prevent their extinction.”
Other Terrestrial 
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