Sub-Visser Seven watched, sickened and afraid, as his host ripped the spine out of a Hork-Bajir Controller. He had learned almost nothing about this host, since he found that it was impossible for him to circumvent the mental barriers the other had erected. He knew only what he had observed, he knew that this creature was capable of tapping into vast amounts of energy at will, he also knew that the other had hidden blades somewhere.
One that retracted into his left wrist, and another that seemed to appear and disappear randomly. He did not know why the other was here, or anything useful. It took him a little time, but he realized that the other was yelling.
"Run, you pathetic cowards, and I might spare your worthless lives!"
Laughing, the other flew after the retreating Hork-Bajir Controllers. Still brandishing the spine of his latest victim like some kind of sick trophy. Sub-Visser Seven could not understand this, there was no point. The other was clearly more powerful, so why did he not just take what he wanted?
Oh, come now. Surely one as intelligent as yourself could figure it out.
Why are you doing this?!
Can't you guess?
There is no rational explanation!
I suppose, then, that simple pleasure is never rational, the other purred.
Pleasure?! This creature was killing Hork-Bajir and Taxxon Controllers for pleasure?!
What other reason would I have?
Sub-Visser Seven had no response, and so the exchange ended. Sub-Visser Seven had never considered killing to be anything pleasurable. But now, now that he was watching someone who had obviously been doing things like this for longer than he could imagine, he saw the possibility of it.
Ahh, so you're coming around, are you?
Perhaps, the Sub-Visser answered, mimicking the other's tone from when they had first met. The other chuckled.
You are amusing, he purred.
They were closing in on another Hork-Bajir Controller.
Hork-Bajir Controller? Is that what these creatures are called?
Just Hork-Bajir, actually. Controller is just a term for any member of any species that has one of my people inside their head. If I may ask, what does your species call itself?
You may ask, but what makes you think that I would tell you?
I was only -
Navari.
That brought him up short, and then Sub-Visser Seven started laughing, he was beginning to realize that this was simply the other's way.
You enjoy toying with me, don't you?
Why my friend, whatever could have made you think that?
The Sub-Visser could read the barely contained laughter in that rhetorical question, and that set them both off. The two conquerors, Yeerk and Navari together laughed long and hard. They were by no means equals, but they had found a bit of common ground.
It wasn't to last.
***
Darkblade kicked the legs out from under a Hork-Bajir, slicing its head open with his wrist blade as it fell. He was starting to rather enjoy the company of the Yeerk, one so much like himself.
They were sharing stories now. And even though the facts he gave this Yeerk were shaded, twisted so as not to reveal or even hint at the existence of the other Radam, he truly enjoyed speaking to another who could understand the true thrill of conquest.
He was distracted from the Yeerk's latest tale, however, when he caught sight of something inside the Hork-Bajir's head. Something he suspected did not belong there. Grabbing hold of the Hork-Bajir by the bottom of its jaw, Darkblade tore the top of its head off. Seeing the brain for the first time in its gruesome entirety, Darkblade peeled a gray layer of clinging slime off of the still-pulsing organ.
It was not a simple matter, and in the end he brought his stronger will to bear. It turned out that this was a creature in itself. A small, aquatic-looking creature. Not much bigger than his own hand.
A wave of utter revulsion swept through him, this thing was covered in a thick layer of slime that he could see clearly with his enhanced vision. Though thankfully he could not feel it. Wanting to know what the truly loathsome little alien he now held in his hand was, he nudged Sub-Visser Seven's mind.
What is this? he demanded.
It took a small amount of time, but soon the Sub-Visser answered.
That? he chuckled softly. That is one of my people.
Darkblade's mouth twisted into a snarl, and he growled softly.
This is a Yeerk? he positively hissed.
Yes. What did you think we were? Sub-Visser Seven asked, oblivious.
Darkblade growled louder, and crushed the Yeerk in his fist. His eyes narrowed to slits, enraged and disgusted at the very thought of having such a vile thing inside his body. The remains of the Yeerk dripped from his fist, as he opened his hand and held it up for the other Yeerk to see.
I want you out. he growled, feeling the Yeerk's mind.
But, I cannot -
NOW!
Not waiting for another reply, Darkblade attacked telepathically. Ripping violently into the other's mind with skill honed by thousands of years. The Yeerk screamed.
Leave. My. Body.
I – Ahhhh! I can't!
Pity, I'll just have to kill you then.
NO! Your helmet, it's blocking me. I can't leave!Darkblade held his hand up for one last inspection, coldly examining the remains of the dead Yeerk.
If you are trying to deceive me, there are other ways to suffer.
I – I know, he could feel the Yeerk's fear. The bioenergy again surged and dissipated, leaving Darkblade clad in a simple black tunic. The energy explosion had purged the remains of the Yeerk from his hand, and he turned from the corpse of the Hork-Bajir without a thought.
Leave. Now.
I need a host, if I am expected to survive.
Who says I want that?
Darkblade looked back at the Hork-Bajir, it would be of no use. It was already as dead as its Yeerk. Willing himself invisible, wanting to have this miserable task over and done with as quickly as possible, Darkblade set about stalking another Hork-Bajir. The ones that hadn't died by his hand had fled, and since he did not know this world, he would have to seek the advice of one who did.
Where would your fellows go in the event of an attack?
We – we never planned for anything like this, the Yeerk said, cowering in his corner of the mind.
You are fools, then, Darkblade sneered.
Ignoring the Yeerk once again, Darkblade set off on his hunt. Slipping effortlessly into the mental patterns of the predator he truly was, the ancient Radam warrior moved off into the desert.