Space Odyssey: Spectre-Chapter 391: The Masked Ones

Chapter 391: The Masked Ones
Inside a chamber deep underground somewhere. The walls were lined in an organic red material. But there were spots of the wall, floor, and roof that were not covered in the material but instead only had strands of a red material. This material was spread out like a spiderweb in the parts of the cave that were not covered in the red organic material.
Moving along the cave expanding this red organic material were small spider-like creatures. They were barely two inches across either way. But they were completely red and without eyes. But they moved without making any sounds.
But at one end of the cave there was a pile of red organic material with pieces of bone sticking out of it. Projected from it is a hologram. The red organic material was rotating in some spots revealing some multicolored material that projected the light.
The hologram was of a space frigate that was in orbit around the planet they were currently on. The frigate was in the middle of exploding and falling apart. There were no other ships in the vicinity. But there were chunks of what used to be space stations and some other ships along with what used to be one of this planet’s moons.
All of that resulted in a natural minefield around the planet that made it next to impossible to get close to the planet. It was also why there were several other military frigates and ships in the distance just out of their range.
"They have stopped sending the strange ships." A voice spoke with a seductive voice as he looked at the hologram. Just like the others present they are covered in the shadows of the cave. But despite being partially illuminated by the hologram all that could be seen were masks and some horns and protrusions. Some of the horns and protrusions were damaged or cut, most of that damage looked older.
"I did not expect to encounter an alien species that was superior in comparison to humans in a galaxy where humans are deeply rooted. This galaxy is abnormal. Didn’t we have a record of trying to conquer this galaxy a long time ago?" A creature with a gold mask, feminine body and a pair of horns coming out of her head, with one of them being completely cut up.
"You are right. Usually humans are the apex species, slaves, or extinct. But in this galaxy they are coexisting enough to seek help from one another." Another creature with a red mask responded, he was much shorter and hunched over as he tapped his chin with a crooked red finger that had spots of white hair on it.
Another larger creature grunted and looked to the side. "Pull it up." This creature was more heavily muscled and was wearing a black mask. Several smaller creatures grunted and growled at each other as they interacted with the wall and the hologram changed.
The new hologram had a few projections. Most of them were images, but there were also a few records written in a language that Jace would be able to recognize on sight. Especially with the manner in which it was written in the hypnotic pattern.
The images were of the last time they tried to conquer this galaxy. The result was less than satisfactory because of the interference of the ’opposition’. Unlike most times they did not arrive at the same time. Then they had to quickly leave when their method of travel became too unstable in this galaxy for some reason. Which also resulted in them having to abandon a number of their people.
The event was seen as an embarrassment. Mostly because they never managed to get past the first race of beings they encountered who were peace loving creatures who clearly lacked any realistic military. Instead they struggled against the various natural obstacles that seemed to appear.
But the records never indicated or mentioned any humans. Only this peace loving species and the other side. Although, unlike most times it appears the other side left this galaxy just like they did for some reason. So when it was discovered whatever had been destabilizing their travel method to this part of the galaxy they traveled here.
Unfortunately they were not able to bring in a large amount of people since the galaxy still appears to have something completely destabilizing it. This planet was fortunately for them, one of the places they could create a path to. So now they were conquering this planet to get a foothold in this galaxy.
"Hmm... seems our ancestors failed to take this part of the galaxy. Ahh! Now I understand why they sent that young one to lead us. Look at the person who failed to conquer it." The large black mask one declared. He had two tusks coming out of the mouth of his mask. Both of which were badly damaged and had visible damage.
"Ha! The mighty and fabled general failed and kept it a secret!" The gold mask declared with a cutting laughter.
"But he then went and sent his son to fix his mistake. Trying to keep it quiet. How... entertaining. Should we send back word of their plot?" A green masked individual that was hanging from the roof asked. They had a number of horns coming out around the side of the mask.
"No..." The black mask answered. "Eventually the son will screw up and we will save him. For the moment our orders are only to keep others away. The son wants to take this time to conquer the planet on his own."
"Mhmm..." There was a groan and they all turned their heads to see a female figure that was laying on a cloud with a purple mask. Unlike the others the mask was not etched or designed to look like anything. Instead it was a smooth material all the way. While her clothes and armor were clearly looser and less restrictive. She was resting her head on a golden pillow that her pitch black hair was spread out on. Her hair was giving off some type of black mist constantly.
"She stirred? Why did she stir? She almost never participates and she almost certainly never wakes up." The red mask pointed out in complete shock. Getting nods of agreement from the others as well.
"Death... no..." She began mumbling as she stirred and tensed up. There was crackling in the room while the red organic material on the nearby walls, roof, and floor began cracking and falling apart.
The other person closest to her. A creature with a yellow mask and a feminine body quickly had to back up as an almost invisible force began shattering the nearby air. The others were just as cautious as they watched this rare event. It lasted for a few minutes but stopped suddenly.
"Mhmmm... ghost... apparition... spectre... gladiator... perfect..." She moaned the last word as she seemingly flipped over on her cloud which had turned from a white to a purple. Now it was turning back to white. Her legs rubbed together as she seemingly got comfortable again.
The others in the room stayed quiet while the hologram projector flickered on and off. Barely staying operational despite it not being near where the damage was occurring. While the lesser creatures that were operating the machine had exploded into blood and gore awhile ago. Only the other six masked creatures in the room were still alive.
"How rare... actually... that was completely unexpected. Why did her mood do a complete flip?" The green mask was on the ground now, he was pulled down from the ceiling when the purple mask began leaking their intense power. He was looking toward the gold mask as he spoke.
"Hmm... I do not know. But I do know the sound of a woman moaning in pleasure. So I should assume she had a dream vision and saw something that would cause her even more pleasure than sleeping." The gold mask answered as she walked forward swaying her hips in a seductive manner as she moved.
"A future dream vision? It caused her to react like that? Why in the world did it do that? I almost felt like she was about to wake up as well." The red mask asked in disbelief and shock. Despite working with his compatriots for several years he had only ever seen the purple mask sleep and eat while sleeping. There was no other mode as far as he was concerned.
"It was likely something distressing at first but ended with something pleasurable. We just need to keep in mind the words she said. They could be a hint as to when or where this event will occur." The yellow mask answered.
"Ha... okay. First get someone to replace these." Black mask ordered looking to a blue mask which had a hood and two horns coming out straight from the mask. The blue mask was far more lean and skinny, almost appearing like they were just bones in some places. The blue mask nodded his head and then disappeared. "Now let’s prepare to call for reinforcements. We will have to wait for our cycle though. How long before then?" The black mask looked like the red mask.
The red mask took a moment as he tilted his head before nodding. "A few months in this galaxy’s time. That is when the stars will align again."
The black mask nodded and then looked to the purple mask that was still sleeping but the gold mask was checking her over already. "Then we just need to hold out till then. Having a Sin of Sloth react like that does not bode well."