Starship Vengeance

Chapter 27

We took our seats in the conference room and an awkward silence took hold. I was about to speak when there was a knock on the door. The marine guarding opened it and retrieved the translators from an unseen source. They were quickly distributed and Shahae explained their purpose and how to use them.

"Thank you for meeting with us," I said.

"It is our privilege to meet with you," one of the females said. "My name is Laryth'Na'Roth. This is Drios'Na'Roth," she said, pointing to the other female. "For the purpose of this meeting you may call us by our familiar names."

"Familiar names?" I asked.

"You may call me Drios," Drios said, demonstrating what Laryth meant.

"I am Rouk'Lo'Roth and this is Sayk'Lo'Roth," one of the males said. "You may address us by our familiar names as well."

Our people have been waiting for many generations for the moment the chosen call us forth to join in the glorious fight," Laryth said with a large smile.

"What do you mean you have been waiting?" Shahae asked.

"The ancient Adeosmorix vessel foretold of a people that would unite the galaxy and destroy the evil ones. You know the language of the ancients. You are the ones foretold, are you not?"

"We shall address that in a moment," Shahae said. "Before we do, we would like to know more about your people."

"We refer to discovering the ancient vessel as the Advent. Since the Advent, we have prepared ourselves for the arrival of the chosen."

"In what ways have you prepared yourselves?" I asked curiously.

"After the Advent, we realized we were not achieving our full potential. Many generations were spent discovering new ways to improve our species. They began selective breeding to create the perfect male and female Nyth, or Thish'La'Kell, for each caste. Each caste had their own Thish, or chosen ones. The Thish were genetically manipulated to allow the Nyth of that caste to better perform their functions."

"May I ask a question?" I inquired.

"You may," he answered.

"I am trying to understand what you are saying. Your society is made up of different groups of Nyth, based on how they contribute?"

"Correct," Sayk answered.

"And you genetically engineered your own race to better perform their assigned tasks?"

"Also correct."

"I have one more question. How did you create so many Nyth from each Thish? Are you all cloned?"

"What we are is far superior to any clone," Sayk answered. "Each generation has their own Thish. The Thish for the next generation are chosen from the best Nyth of the current. The reproductive organs are removed and used to generate the next generation of Nyth. Thus the genetic purity can be retained and any adjustments or improvements can be made."

"How is all of this governed?" Shahae asked.

"The caste system removed the need for a governing body. Every Nyth fulfills his or her life calling to serve the Nyth and contribute to their prosperity." Drios answered.

"How do you differentiate each caste?" I asked.

"Each caste has a unique physical appearance," Laryth answered. "For example, our caste, the Roth, is distinguished by our black hair, green eyes and fair skin."

"What function does your caste perform, if I might ask?" Shahae asked.

"As we have said, our society revolves around the Advent. The Roth are responsible for maintaining the ancient sacred records, as well as serving as liaisons with the chosen," Laryth replied. "Now that you know about our people, it is your turn to tell us of your people. Based on your appearances it is clear that you do not hail from the same planet."