20. Manipulator Skargath Kohath Flesh Shifter

Fear grips me as I lay on the hard slab of the brig's bed, the sharp edges of it making me dream of vengeance. The human female can perceive our true form, and that may pose our greatest threat. But only if we can bring her to the Hive proper and find out what gives her this ability. If we must take her apart atom by atom to do this, so be it. Her scream will sing the anthem of our Hive's Glory.

And if Infiltrator Morthrix had not failed, our Glory would not be so far from reach.

I glance again at the brig's entrance.

Where is that useless maggot ?

Should Morthrix survive his idiocy, I will ensure he suffers the consequences of his failure. But until then, he is useful to me. A useful idiot, but an idiot nonetheless.

The cell door opens. I close the eyes of my outer skin while reaching out, very slightly, with my upper antennae to sense the change in the pressure field, the shifts of the airflow, the disturbance in the heat patterns of the space.

The tap-tap-tap of nail against carapace is a welcome sound. I lay still, waiting.

Five breaths later, Morthrix says, "I have looped the surveillance, Skargath. We may speak freely."

He speaks in the clicks and taps of Mid-Kohath, and the sound makes me sick for the close confines of the hive, the feel of the damp air, and the comforting clacking and whirring and clicking of our fellows.

Soon.

"The virus?" I ask.

"It is done. The effects will seem minor at first, but within three cycles, the ship's systems will be slag. "

"And the Janu?"

"Dead. The Starshadow will be ours for the taking."

"Good. You will be rewarded in kind for your service," I say, knowing Morthrix's arrogance will blind him to the truth of my words. "Now, you will take my place."

Morthrix freezes, his antennae twitching in a sign of displeasure. He lets out a long hiss. "Why?"

I dislike his questioning me, but I keep my rage from seeping into my scent or movements. The benefits of age and experience. "Our commanders have entrusted me with the final stage of our mission."

I see Morthrix weighing the benefits of betrayal, and I prepare to crush him. Morthrix does not have my skill in battle, and while it would be inconvenient to dispose of him here, I will not hesitate.

"A single shift," I say. "Take my form. You will have my authority amongst the Asheraah, should it become necessary."

"I ssseee," Morthrix says, the elongation of the syllable showing his lust for power. Even if it is the illusory power of our enemies. He does not know, whether or not he chooses obedience, his days are short. "As you wish."

And with that acquiescence, we exchange the skins of our enemy.

It takes a minute, and I am Healer Apprentice Ar'Geks. My ID card and retina enable me to exit the cell easily. I nod at the guards as I make my way from the brig, free to enact the next part of our plan.

Skylar Zavien will leave with me. And to the faithful servants comes Glory.

Glory for the Hive and Glory for myself and my spawn.