Post by Blackwill on Apr 8, 2005 12:21:54 GMT -5
Kr-Kesh bowed before the ornately decorated arch leading into the Divination room, his tertiary arms holding back the folds of his robes whilst he pressed the palms of his forearms flat against the metal floor. "We do crave admittance to this holy chamber, Your Emmincence", he said in a hushed, respectful tone.Kr-Kesh bowed before the ornately decorated arch leading into the Divination room, his tertiary arms holding back the folds of his robes whilst he pressed the palms of his forearms flat against the metal floor. "We do crave admittance to this holy chamber, Your Emmincence", he said in a hushed, respectful tone.
"Enter, brother, and confesssss." The voice which echoed from within the chamber was harsh, deep and labored. Ak-Thos was the eldest of the High Council members, his once black carapace now grey, cracked and scarred from centuries of service and battle in the Trials. His flowing yellow robes, the symbol of his high station, now hung loosely upon him, trailing behind his hunched frame. Kr-Kesh could see, through the fine, warm mist which perpetually filled this chamber, that Ak-Thos was gazing into the Divination Pool. As Kr-Kesh entered the room, Ak-Thos quickly waved one of his pincered hands over the pool, and the image within it vanished.
"What do you see within those waters which causes you so much pain, Your Emminence?" Kr-Kesh asked, concern evident in his voice.
"The Hive is stirring, brother....more so than usual." Ak-Thos replied.
"They grow concerned, Your Grace, that they have not heard from the Oracle regarding the object we have discovered in Argos system. Many of The Brood fear that the Oracle has lost it's way...that it was somehow damaged by the extended Dreaming" Kr-Kesh explained.
Ak-Thos wheeled suddenly on his hind legs, his six arms grabbing the folds of his robes as he turned, clutching them closely to his body so as not to disturb the serenity of the waters within the pool with their movement. "The Oracle", he barked, his voice now strong and crisp, "has lead us to this sanctuary through the endless void of space! The Oracle has fulfilled the promise of The Dreaming! The Oracle, my child, has given it's brethren cause to rejoice...NOT to question!!"
Kr-Kesh reeled back and away from the unexpected forcefulness of Ak-Thos' comments, scrambling to prostrate himself before his Church's most powerful figure. "I meant no disrespect, Your Grace....", he said, his multi-faceted eyes focusing anywhere but on the form of the Councilor, "...and I do confess my ignorance in this matter. However, it is my duty to express the will of The Brood to the Church, just as it is yours to interpret the will of The Oracle. The installation we have discovered in Argos system is seen as a potential threat by your subjects, and they are looking to The Oracle for comfort and illumination."
Ak-Thos sighed when he realized he had firghtened his holy brother with his agitated tone. "Stand, my child, and do not let these matters concern you any longer", he said. "The Oracle has awakened, and all shall be as it has promised. The crew of the Event Horizon have managed to gain entry into the Argos structure, and they have found it abandoned. The Oracle has instructed them to begin the necessary operations to bring the installation back on line, to facilitate the Harvesting process."
"So... we shall Harvest it, then?" Kr-Kesh asked, confidence and strength returning to his voice, "To what end, Your Grace, if it is abandoned? Surely there are occupied planets within range of our Harvesters which would prove to be more...profitable...targets?"
"The Oracle is convinced that this installation, if we can access it's database information, will unlock the secrets of this quadrant of the galaxy. Once we know the history of this region of space, and those of the local inhabitants, we will be better prepared to integrate them into our beloved Church. The Harvest season is upon us, brother, and the long Dreaming has left us ill-equipped to make it profitable. The Argos facility will help to bring us back into balance."
Kr-Kesh smiled wryly at the thought of another Harvest. It had been generations since the last great Harvest, before they left their home systems on this great Mission for the Church. He longed to see Cathedral writhe once again in jubilant sacrifice.
"Shall I instruct The Brood to prepare for Harvest, Your Worship?", he asked expectantly.
Ak-Thos turned slowly away from him, returning to the edge of the Divination Pool. As he turned his head back to address him, Kr-Kesh saw the flash of his razor sharp teeth from between his now opened mandibles. "Yesss....prepare The Brood for battle, my brother.... and let the Trials begin once more."
"Enter, brother, and confesssss." The voice which echoed from within the chamber was harsh, deep and labored. Ak-Thos was the eldest of the High Council members, his once black carapace now grey, cracked and scarred from centuries of service and battle in the Trials. His flowing yellow robes, the symbol of his high station, now hung loosely upon him, trailing behind his hunched frame. Kr-Kesh could see, through the fine, warm mist which perpetually filled this chamber, that Ak-Thos was gazing into the Divination Pool. As Kr-Kesh entered the room, Ak-Thos quickly waved one of his pincered hands over the pool, and the image within it vanished.
"What do you see within those waters which causes you so much pain, Your Emminence?" Kr-Kesh asked, concern evident in his voice.
"The Hive is stirring, brother....more so than usual." Ak-Thos replied.
"They grow concerned, Your Grace, that they have not heard from the Oracle regarding the object we have discovered in Argos system. Many of The Brood fear that the Oracle has lost it's way...that it was somehow damaged by the extended Dreaming" Kr-Kesh explained.
Ak-Thos wheeled suddenly on his hind legs, his six arms grabbing the folds of his robes as he turned, clutching them closely to his body so as not to disturb the serenity of the waters within the pool with their movement. "The Oracle", he barked, his voice now strong and crisp, "has lead us to this sanctuary through the endless void of space! The Oracle has fulfilled the promise of The Dreaming! The Oracle, my child, has given it's brethren cause to rejoice...NOT to question!!"
Kr-Kesh reeled back and away from the unexpected forcefulness of Ak-Thos' comments, scrambling to prostrate himself before his Church's most powerful figure. "I meant no disrespect, Your Grace....", he said, his multi-faceted eyes focusing anywhere but on the form of the Councilor, "...and I do confess my ignorance in this matter. However, it is my duty to express the will of The Brood to the Church, just as it is yours to interpret the will of The Oracle. The installation we have discovered in Argos system is seen as a potential threat by your subjects, and they are looking to The Oracle for comfort and illumination."
Ak-Thos sighed when he realized he had firghtened his holy brother with his agitated tone. "Stand, my child, and do not let these matters concern you any longer", he said. "The Oracle has awakened, and all shall be as it has promised. The crew of the Event Horizon have managed to gain entry into the Argos structure, and they have found it abandoned. The Oracle has instructed them to begin the necessary operations to bring the installation back on line, to facilitate the Harvesting process."
"So... we shall Harvest it, then?" Kr-Kesh asked, confidence and strength returning to his voice, "To what end, Your Grace, if it is abandoned? Surely there are occupied planets within range of our Harvesters which would prove to be more...profitable...targets?"
"The Oracle is convinced that this installation, if we can access it's database information, will unlock the secrets of this quadrant of the galaxy. Once we know the history of this region of space, and those of the local inhabitants, we will be better prepared to integrate them into our beloved Church. The Harvest season is upon us, brother, and the long Dreaming has left us ill-equipped to make it profitable. The Argos facility will help to bring us back into balance."
Kr-Kesh smiled wryly at the thought of another Harvest. It had been generations since the last great Harvest, before they left their home systems on this great Mission for the Church. He longed to see Cathedral writhe once again in jubilant sacrifice.
"Shall I instruct The Brood to prepare for Harvest, Your Worship?", he asked expectantly.
Ak-Thos turned slowly away from him, returning to the edge of the Divination Pool. As he turned his head back to address him, Kr-Kesh saw the flash of his razor sharp teeth from between his now opened mandibles. "Yesss....prepare The Brood for battle, my brother.... and let the Trials begin once more."