The Hareema grimaced. “Your damn color-changing skin. Your brother was maroon when I shifted into him the first time after his capture. We Hareema can't change skin colors like you, not without revealing our true form as we change. So I was stuck maroon until I shifted again. I knew I had to be convincing for the council, so I made sure I was green this time around.”
That explained why who he'd thought was his brother had been so ready to show his fear to his underlings. Because he had no choice.
Xivthar turned to the lieutenant, giving instructions for the dais to be returned to the shore. He waited for it to come, bringing with it the other Hareema, the one with Sylvie's shape.
Before the dais reached the shore, the Hareema changed shape. It grew wings, became smaller, a sea bird that easily escaped its restraints. Although a few guards fired blasters at it, it was able to fly away without being harmed.
"Send someone to track it," Xivthar barked at the lieutenant, who hurried to obey orders. He watched them go and then turned his attention to the creature before him.
“I'm going to reveal you to all the people seated here, so that I can show them exactly what you are. Then I'm taking you into custody. We're going to find out how deep this conspiracy goes.”
Xivthar charged up, energy waves flowing over his skin. He put a hand on the operative's shoulder, sending the shock through it. The image of his brother began to melt, then it revealed its true form, a rectangle of red jelly.
Screams rent the air, the crowd going crazy in their shock.
“Men, I want you to imprison this creature immediately. Round the clock guards. No one is to ever be alone with him. And--”
There was a blast from the crowd. Xivthar cried out as he watched the rectangle burst into flames and then immediately disperse into brown slimy chunks.
“Where did that blast come from?” The regent was furious. “I want the perpetrators found!”
The major scanned the crowd from beside him. “It could have been someone who feared the Hareema and wanted to neutralize the enemy.”
“Or it could be another agent, making sure this one couldn't talk.”
It would seem that the threat of invasion was far from over.
