Double Trouble groaned as they unlocked and opened the door to their office. They failed to see their client in the waiting area and had hoped to spend a few minutes to relax waiting for him to arrive. They did not expect to see his back to the door as he stared deeply at the Etherian mural of the Brightmoon wall of their office.
"Hordak?" Double Trouble said, "How did you get in here?"
The figure turned around and raised an eyebrow at the therapist. Although he had Hordak's exact face, shape and build, this was clearly another clone. His skin was bleached a dark blue compared to Hordak's pale grey which provided a pleasant contrast to his pure white military uniform. At first glance, this clone had one more thing in common with Hordak, whereas most Horde clones' eyes glowed a dull green, this one's eyes glowed a solid bright red. But as Double Trouble stared into his eyes in shock, they saw them not as passionate and lively as Hordak's, but cold and calculating. Double Trouble felt these eyes see right through them, analyzing every movement and expression they made.
"Forgive my intrusion," the clone said finally, his voice barely above a whisper, "I had hoped to oversee my brother's... psychiatric inspection for today."
"I'm sorry," Double Trouble said, "Unfortunately, I cannot breach my patients' confidentiality."
"I am sure Alpha Kappa One Three One Four Five will not mind," the clone insisted, a calm smile complimenting his even tone, "While we wait for him perhaps you would indulge my curiosity of a more... historical matter."
"Historical?" Double Trouble repeated.
"Tell me," the clone ordered, pointing at the mural he was examining, "What do you know of this figure here?"
"That is King Micah of Brightmoon," Double Trouble explained, "Top of his class in the Academy on Mysticore, seduced and married the Princess Angella of Brightmoon, Led the first Princess Alliance against the Horde before he was killed in battle against Hordak. His Daughter, Queen Glimmer, continued leading the rebellion in his stead until she surrendered Brightmoon to Horde Prime, convincing the other princesses to do the same."
"Killed, you say," the clone coldly observed, turning to look at the therapist, "And yet... there are reports that this same King of Brightmoon is the one leading the new resistance against both the Horde and the Princesses of Etheria."
"I wouldn't know much about that," Double Trouble lied.
"No, I suppose not," the clone admitted, returning his focus to the mural, "But what art a people make of their king says something about both the king and his people, don't you agree?"
"I suppose," Double Trouble said curtly.
"I consider myself something an artist," the clone explained, "A love I believe inherited from my emperor. I suspect that is something you have in common. The only difference being your canvas is the stage, whilst mine is on the battlefield. When I look at the figure Brightmoon paints of this man, I get the sense of someone who is confident in his power and ability and takes great pleasure in showing it off, not to intimidate, but to entertain. Like a trickster god of myth. But on a closer examination there is also this... hesitation, a fear of losing control of that power. I feel as if I have fought this man before, or at least, someone very much like him."
"Theta Rho," came a similar but more gruff voice from the doorway, "What business do you have on Etheria? I am to understand that you are supposed to be overseeing the invasion of Primus."
Double Trouble and the clone turned to the doorway to see Hordak standing before them, green eyes staring at mild irritation at the new clone.
"Brother, it is good to see you again after all these long decades," Horde Unit Theta Rho greeted, "The siege of Primus has achieved something of a stalemate. Our allies on Denebria are unable to penetrate their planetary shields."
"Oh, no..." Hordak groaned, "Please do not tell me you left Keldor in charge."
"Our Eternian Advisor on Magical Phenomena is... sufficient to command our forces in my absence," Theta Rho assured Hordak, "I should inform you he has taken a new name for himself after what happened to his face. He still blames you for that, you know."
"I prefer to see myself as the reason he is still alive to whine about it," Hordak explained, "What happened to Keldor was his own pathetic failure. I highly doubt in his ability to succeed where a Horde officer like you could not."
"That is why our Emperor has seen fit to recall me to oversee completion of the Heart of Etheria project," Theta Rho replied, "It appears *you* have inadvertently found the solution to our problems. I must admit I am touched by your opinion of my abilities and that you have taken such an interest in my movements."
"The current location of the Horde's top general should be basic information all Horde units must know," answered Hordak, "We do not require your assistance. The Princess Entrapta is more than capable of completing the project. She has more experience with the Etherian First Ones technology than any other member of the Horde."
"Horde Prime insists on my presence on this planet," stated Theta Rho, "But there are other projects on this world that would be more appropriate to my skillset. Correcting your failure to make this population into a functional, obedient colony, for instance. I do not expect it would take long for me to ferret out this rebellion you have allowed to build on this planet for so long. After all, it would be the least I could do after you allowed me have this position in the first place. Had you not so... thoroughly bungled your tenure at our Emperor's side, I would not have had the opportunity to prove my worth to him."
Theta Rho paused to gauge Hordak's reaction, only to be met with a simple grunt.
"And now I see you have become a scientist," Theta Rho continued, "Working under an Etherian Princess no less."
"You do not approve," Hordak translated.
"Oh, no, Brother, you misjudge me," Theta Rho scoffed, "I am most pleased our Emperor, in his wisdom, has managed to find *some* use for you. That is why I had hoped to sit in on your mental examination by this... creature."
The Horde General motioned towards Double Trouble. They did their best to hide their increasing discomfort of being stuck between in Theta Rho's uneasy presence and Hordak's judgemental glare.
"Unfortunately, a new development has come up that requires me to cancel today's session," Hordak reported, "I had only come to personally inform my therapist of the situation. Perhaps another time, Brother."
Theta Rho's lips drooped slightly as he raised another eyebrow at his brother.
"Very well, then, Brother..." Theta Rho said, attempting to mask his disappointment, "Perhaps another time."
As Theta Rho passed his brother to leave, he stopped to examine his armor closely.
"I assume the Princess is responsible for your new... mobility equipment," Theta Rho commented.
"That is correct, Brother," Hordak affirmed, "In her studies on the Etherian First Ones, Entrapta has managed to develop technologies far in advance of even our own scientists."
"Fascinating," Theta Rho observed, pointing at the glowing purple gemstone that was engraved on to his chestplate, "Tell me, Brother, do you know what these symbols mean?"
"I'm afraid not," Hordak answered, "The First Ones hieroglyphs are immaterial to our work, so I have not expended the effort to learn their language."
"Immaterial? Oh, I must disagree," Theta Rho argued, "I have only managed to study a small modicum of Etherian culture and the First One's language on my way to this planet and have already found it most... enlightening."
Hordak gave a quizzical look to his brother as Theta Rho chuckled under his breath.
"Learn about Art, Brother," said Theta Rho, patting his brother on the shoulder, "That is an order from your General. When you understand a people's art, you understand the people. Only then can you truly conquer them."
As Theta Rho finally left the office, Hordak returned his attention to Double Trouble.
"I regret to inform you I will not be attending today's session," Hordak stated officially.
"You could have just left a message," Double Trouble suggested.
"Yes," Hordak said, a small smile creeping across his lips, "I could have."
~*~
DT's notes
Hordak, Session 4
-So I met Hordak's even creepier brother today.
-Of course he's this super pretentious art critic snob. I just haaate these guys!
-Remember to ask Hordak about his history with this Keldor fellow
-Took over Hordak's old job after he got fired, and it looks like there's still some bad blood there
-Apparently, he finds something really amusing about the crystal on Hordak's suit
-Why do I get the feeling this guy is about to become a real thrawn in my side?
-Uggh, I cannot write properly today...
