Shadow Weaver was kneeling in the brown soil, pulling weeds out of her garden when she heard the door of her gazebo creak open. She stood up to wipe the dirt off of her robes and compose herself before greeting the visitor. When she turned around, her eyes widened in surprise at the familiar batlike face and glowing red eyes staring back at her.

"Good morning, Sorceress" the blue faced clone apologized, "I hope I am not intruding."

"Oh, o-of course not," Shadow Weaver stuttered, bowing gracefully to her guest, "How can I be of service to the Horde?"

"Please do not inconvenience yourself on my account. I just thought we might have a nice little... chat..." the clone explained, carefully cradling a rose bud in his hands so examine it, "You see, I am a visitor to your world and it occurs to me that you might have unique insight to offer on matters of the Etherian political landscape."

"I doubt you would find *my* insight to be very helpful," Shadow Weaver replied, putting away her gardening sheers.

"Oh, I disagree," the clone argued, "As I am to understand it, you have managed to imprint yourself onto the upbringing of many in Etheria's leadership, both past and present. King Micah, the She-Ra, Queen Glimmer, Director Catra, even my own brother chose to make you one of his closest advisors. A most impressive resume to be sure."

"I think putting Catra in charge was a mistake..." Shadow Weaver glowered, "But what do I know? I'm just an old sorceress, not the ruler of an intergalactic empire."

"I think you judge yourself too harshly," the clone observed, "I'm sure our Emperor would be most interested in your opinion of one of his trusted lieutenants. I myself find a... lower perspective to sometimes be the most enlightening."

The clone walked up closely to the sorceress and casually brushed some dirt off her shoulder.

"I'm sure there are other things you can choose to occupy your time with," Shadow Weaver said, her eyes narrowing at the clone, "Certainly something much more important than me."

"What I decide to be important... is none of your concern," the clone growled softly, "But if you are busy right now I can certainly schedule a meeting between us at a more appropriate hour."

"Oh, no, please sit down," Shadow Weaver offered, conjuring up a small table with two comfortable lawn chairs out of shadows, "Would you care for some tea?"

"I would, thank you," the clone said, taking a seat, "Earl Grey, please, if you can manage it."

Shadow Weaver sat down herself and waved her hand over the table, a large steaming pot and two teacups appearing out of thin air. With another flourish, the teakettle raised off the table on its own accord and poured its contents into the cups. The horde clone picked up one of the cups and brought it up to his nose for a small whiff before taking a sip.

"Lovely," the clone complemented, "Now I am most curious to hear your assessment of our Director of Etherian Affairs. Particularly, why you consider Catra to be such a poor candidate."

"Oh, it's simple really," Shadow Weaver answered, "Catra was little more than a wild animal scavenging in our garbage when I found her and nothing she has done in the many years I looked after her has shown me she is capable of changing from that. She is an insubordinate, ungrateful little pest. She craves power but unwilling to shoulder the responsibility that comes with it. She's vain, greedy, petty, but worst of all, she's lazy. She expects everything in this world to be handed over to her on plate without having to lift a finger to do it."

"Sometimes where others see laziness, I see ingenuity," the clone remarked, taking another sip of tea, "With proper forethought, so called laziness can lead to increased efficiency and, if nothing else, our Emperor does appreciate an efficient colony."

"If you truly believe Catra is capable of that forethought," Shadow Weaver chuckled, "Than all I can do for you is wish you good luck."

"I'd prefer the opposite to be honest," Theta Rho smirked, "A commander that can be foiled by bad luck is unworthy of the Horde. Indeed, it is in those moments of misfortune that a leaders true greatness is revealed and I, for one, hope to understand everything our new director is capable of."

"All I am saying is that if you expect greatness from Catra," Shadow Weaver lectured, "You should prepare for disappointment. She will always be that rabid cur I found in the dumpster all those years ago. Nothing more, nothing less."

"I understand how difficult it is to see past our first impressions of someone," the clone said, flexing his blue claw in front of his face to look at it, "While my brother had the privilege of being able to... conceal his genetic defects, my abnormalities have been all too visible for everyone to see. I am thankful that my mentor and my emperor both managed to see past these differences, but I still have to work hard everyday to earn my position and the respect of my brethren. So forgive me if I feel the need to test your... assessment. But speaking of appearances... yours has greatly peaked my interest. May I take a look at it?"

The clone held out his claw across the table. Shadow Weaver looked at it with cautious concern.

"I don't suppose I have a choice in the matter, do I?" she grumbled.

"Only if you are comfortable, of course," the clone added.

Shadow Weaver eyed the clone suspiciously for a few moments before she gave out a reserved sigh and placed her mask on the table. She hung her head in shame for another moment before looking up. She was surprised to see the clone looking, not at her, but at the mask, which he held in his left claw, tracing over it with the fingers on his right.

"A fascinating design," the clone critiqued, "Did you make this yourself?"

Shadow Weaver nodded, looking at the clone with confusion.

"Forgive me for my ignorance," she said, "I thought you wanted to look at my face."

"My apologies for the misunderstanding," the clone said, smiling as he handed back the mask, "I find it far more useful to examine how one chooses to present themself as opposed to their natural features. First impressions tend to be the most defining, but can vary wildly from actual reality."

"True..." Shadow Weaver said simply, placing the mask back over her face.

"Thank you very much for the tea, my dear Sorceress," the clone said, fixing his uniform as he got up from the table, "I hope we can do this again sometime. I find your company most pleasant."

"I exist to serve," Shadow Weaver stated bowing regally to her guest, "But how rude of me, I haven't even asked you your name."

"Me and my brothers do not have names," the clone replied, "General should suffice."

"Then until our next meeting, General," Shadow Weaver said, raising her cup in toast to her guest.

The clone silently bowed before leaving, quietly closing the door behind him. Shadow Weaver leaned on her elbow and examined the door in quiet contemplation as the kettle raised itself off the table again to pour her another cup of tea.

~*~

First Analysis of the Sorceress, 'Shadow Weaver'
Horde Unit Theta Rho Reporting

-Interviewed subject under the pretense of discussing her many close relationships with Etheria's ruling elite
-Appears to have taken to gardening to satisfy her need for order and control
-As expected, the history between her and Horde Unit AK-13145 presents difficulties in building a working relationship
-Possesses an unhealthy fixation on the Director, irrational hatred, possible jealousy
-Despite her cordial affectations, displays a disappointingly rigid and inflexible way of thinking
-Design of her mask and the natural appearance of her face suggests she chooses to wear it to hide facial expressions and tells from others, presumably in order to better lie and manipulate them.
-Because of these facts, I suspect none of the intelligence she provides of much actual use in regards to the Director, how unfortunate...
-Has not displayed any evidence of sedition so far, but her powerful abilities and duplicitous nature suggest that she is not to be trusted, I will continue to monitor closely.