Skin, dried to brittle hardness in the artificial atmosphere of the tiny craft, cracked and wept thin ichor as the creature unfolded itself from the protective webbing. There was a single instant of disorientation as its squat limbs adjusted to the gravity of the larger ship; then it straightened and stepped out into the perpetual crimson gloom that approximated the light of its homeworld. Slit-pupiled eyes flared. Nostrils opened to breathe in the rich lush soup of its homeland. Then it seemed to remember that although the dripping hallways looked empty, its every movement was under observation. It straightened and hurried down the corridor.

Rahu paused outside the circular door, waiting while the scanners ensured that he carried no weapons or explosives, and that he carried no filthy bacteria from the vile world he had just left behind. A tracery of blue lights danced over his body, then strobed through a score of colors while the examination continued for what seemed like an unusually long time. Almost unconsciously the creature's eyes sought out the tiny scar on the floor where the last ill-fated messenger had stood. There were rumors that it had been infected by something from the planet below, other rumors that it had carried an Earth weapon in an attempt to assassinate the Overlord. Whatever the truth, the messenger hadn't got past the door: the ragged remains of its hoof hooked between the floor plates were the only evidence that it had ever existed.

The dancing lights changed to a warm crimson and the doors hissed open. Masking his relief, Rahu stepped through into the dank twilight of the Overlord's quarters. Folding into the Posture of Obeisance, forehead to the wet floor, tail curled tightly around his legs, elbows tucked in against his chest, no talons or spurs showing, he waited.

Cloth hissed as the Xifo, Overlord of the Clan, approached. Rahu's nostrils flared, reading the bittersweet odors of power, sensing his master's impatience and arrogance. Aware that the Xifo was standing directly over him, Rahu remained still and unmoving. A single twitch could be interpreted as a threat.

"I called you here because I did not want to entrust your report to the comms," the Xifo said abruptly, then turned and moved away, leaving Rahu crouched on the floor. "How goes our progress?"

Rahu remained motionless.

"You may speak," the Xifo added.

"I have followed your instructions, Overlord. I have chosen a human agent." Rahu concentrated on breathing evenly, but every breath was now an effort, as the Posture of Obeisance constricted his chest and closed off his gills. Even thinking was difficult.

"And you have contacted him?" As the Xifo approached the wall, the circular port irised open. Beyond the protective screen of asteroids that concealed the enormous ship, the planets were brilliant points of color strung out across the perpetual night. Try as he might, he could not pick out the planet he meant to conquer.

"Not directly, Overlord."

"Not directly..." There was a dangerous edge to the Xifo's voice.

"I have control of the communications and computer terminals of his servants and chattels. I have allowed them to discover certain pieces of information which will bring the project to a more speedy fruition."

"But you have not contacted the principal. Why?"

"This is a creature of arrogance and ignorance: he has little enough dealings with his own kind. He would not deal with us."

"Why feed the data in pieces to a servant? Why not simply give the master all that he needs?" the Xifo demanded.

"I gave the servants enough to get started," Rahu gasped, breathless. "The rest will be provided in time. My observations indicate that the humans feel more strongly about something they create themselves, rather than something they have been given. However, the Overlord is indeed wise. Of late, the master has become impatient with the slow progress; I have considered approaching him anonymously, presenting him with information which he can disseminate to his servants. If I judge his character correctly, it will appeal to his arrogance."

"But you said he would not deal with us..."

"He would not know we were his benefactors," Rahu hissed. "With your permission, I will contact him."

"Do it!" the Xifo snapped, turning away. "You are to be commended."

"My lord is generous in his praise." The Posture of Obeisance was killing him and Rahu knew he had less than eight hundred heartbeats of life left before the pressure of his ribs on his small lungs crushed them.

"So, how much longer will it take him to create the device?"

"As the humans measure time, two years, perhaps three."

"So fast?" The Xifo sounded genuinely surprised. "By the Gods, the Collegium should fall on their knees and thank us for what we are about to do. If we do not intervene now and stop them, then one day soon, these barbaric creatures will rise up and destroy us."