The Hev-thing was making a noxious sound that it took Kell a moment to realize was laughter. It was superficially similar to the human sound, but reminded him more of a long-extinct Earth creature when it was dying. They were unintelligent, though, and this thing was intelligent – in some way that was different from a human.

He wondered what they would taste like. He had yet to consume a thing not from Earth, and he was growing more and more curious.

Humans had told him not to eat the food of other species, and he assumed that meant entities as well. Granted, he would not eat any intelligent entity unless the situation arose that allowed it with a minimum of fuss.

Alien foods could poison beings from other ecosystems, though he knew it would not be an issue for him. It did not matter in what way its most minute elements were mixed, they were the same elements. That was all that mattered.

His chance to try, though, had yet to come, but he was patient. Time meant nothing to him, and to have a novel experience . . . that was itself novel to him. Something to look forward to.

Ks’Kull was saying something, his words apparently harsh, according to the device that he’d been given that translated alien words. One day he’d simply know their languages.

Perhaps soon, he thought.

Though the one known as Ks’Kull – or stand-in, whatever, he did not care – was different than the others. A most subtle difference in chemical signatures. He doubted that even the sensitive equipment of the humans could have told, but he saw it innately. How could he not, seeing from angles beyond their understanding?

How limited they were. And as Ks’Kull now gestured sharply, Kell realized that something interesting was about to happen. He saw the change from within the being first, and he gave the matter his full attention. Ah, yes, the differences inside it . . . they were chemicals in small vials, distributed throughout its body. And he saw now that the armor it wore was not true armor, but was built to shatter in a specific way when great force was applied to it. He’d long ago learned about applying great forces in novel ways.

The chemicals reacted; exploding. The Hev actor did not even have enough time to register surprise, though Kell felt certain it would have been surprised to know that it was a living bomb, trained to a higher degree and given greater autonomy solely to give Ks’Kull’s enemies reason to believe they were being granted greater prestige – and thus get them to lower their guard.

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Its armor was shattering, hurling shrapnel towards Brooks and the others. They would be ripped apart by it – the explosion itself would not be enough, the shrapnel would take care of the job.

It was time for him to act.

He only regretted that he would not get to consume the Hev; he and his guards were now in too many pieces, too charred and altered chemically to make it worthwhile for learning about them.

There would be other chances. He just had to be patient.

----------------------------------------

“Foolish, stinking human! You dare bring such insult to me? I will not have your head – not today! But one day, mark my words-“

Brooks had listened to Ks’Kull’s rejection of his idea with as much serenity as he could muster, prepared to return to his ship – and do what?

He honestly wasn’t sure. Could he sit back and watch a genocide? Could he do the slightest thing to prevent it even if he launched his own counter-attack?

Ks’Kull began to spit another vehement word – and then he exploded.

It was too fast for Brooks to even register; he only realized it after it had occurred.

The fact that he could do that meant he was alive, he realized.

Because Kell had stepped in front of him.

The being had moved faster than he’d believed possible, seeming to nearly teleport, and had grabbed Logus, dragging the man along so sharply that his head snapped to the side.

He heard a terrible sound, like ripping, and realized that it was the shrapnel impacting Kell.

It should have torn through him; torn him apart. Any human would have been.

But it did not come through Kell. His face, in front of Brooks’s own, did not even change expression.

He felt the shockwave of the blast, it rattled him – but at this distance caused no injury.

His mouth was agape, and he heard Logus groan. Then he heard the whimper of pain and looked over, seeing Decinus. The man was alive, moving, but his upper arm was more blood than flesh, with bone jutting out.

“I could not shield you all fully,” Kell said, calmly. “He may be dying.”

“Logus!” Brooks said, his voice soft in his ears. The blast had hurt his hearing.

Logus was rubbing his neck, but seemed all right. He looked up as Brooks spoke.

Emergency alarms were going off, sounding distant.

“The air is escaping,” Kell said. And Brooks realized he could hear his voice just fine. Somehow.

“We should leave. I can bring Decinus if you wish him to continue living.”

Brooks looked at Kell, shocked, as the full realization of what had just happened sunk in.

The stand-in for Ks’Kull had exploded. He himself had been a living bomb, walked right into their meeting without being detected. And Ks’Kull had tried to assassinate him.

It meant war.

The show of force that Siilon was making, the threat of the Sapient Union crushing the Maig meant nothing. Or perhaps Ks’Kull was so insulted he’d lost all of his scant control. And so it would be, to sate his rage or bloodlust or insanity or logic or whatever the reason – it did not matter now.

It was war.”Get back to the shuttle!” he yelled, his voice barely audible. “The Craton needs to know that we’re alive! The Hev are going to attack!”