6 War Lord

Knight-Lord Rh`eisar found the entire episode confounding. He had fought beside Human marines on three different worlds. Like the majority of the known universe, he knew Earth soldiers as brave and valiant as Ungalit. Unlike the majority, he also knew Earth marines were a prideful people and apt to react harshly to any that disrespected them. That placed an entirely puzzling texture on the drama just played out across the hall. The three marines were cowed, forced to submit and withdraw without a finger raised.

The knight-Lord wondered whether it was because the black-clad Humans had greater numbers. Immediately, he discarded the idea. On four separate occasions, he'd seen squads of Earth marines charge heavily fortified positions. Once, a human commander stood toe-to-toe against his Ungalit leader in protest over a foolish order. He'd been broken of course: physically broken. Hairless, weak-limbed and slower, his human cousins were not without valor.

Interesting. Seems they command the respect of their shield companions in the army. Odd…I'd have thought this was their first mission. We shall see whether they will be any good come when we depart. According to Central, a Vord incursion was seen headed this way. If councilor Rh`emar is right and these new humans truly embraced their Fear, they will make suitable nest-mates. If not, may they receive the grace of R`halloir.

Turning his thoughts to reports of the Vord, knight-Lord Rh`eisar wondered whether the reports were true. He only had four squadrons with him. He could not count on the humans to make a difference. One on one, no single Vord attack fighter matched a Rhizon. Especially not those among his four flights. On the other hand, if the Reecevark scout reports were true, the convoy would face a full-sized battle Hive. What one of the monstrous battleships was doing this far from the Peace Line he didn't know. What he knew was that a Hive of such dimensions carried at least 1800 Vord attack fighters. Even accounting for attrition getting this far from the Line, it would be too many for his fighters.

With a sigh, the knight-Lord signaled his sword-Lords and rose from his seat. Meals left untouched, their own scouting was done. Like the Ungalit, Rhizon were a warrior race. Unlike them, they favored preparation and information. Especially intelligence. Knowing who flew beside you made the difference between serving as a griffon's meal and placing a lance-point through its back.

It was a good thing he did not see, from the black-clad figures, the cold gaze that followed him from the hall.