Zonama Sekot's Terrain

Buried beneath the surface of a lush green hill, a large plant like structure existed, its roots set long ago and expanded into a network of subterranean tunnels and chambers. It was known as a Damutek, an organic building of the Yuuzhan Vong, this one belonging to the reborn Praetorite Vong headed by Domain Yin. They had gone dark since the departure of their leader, the Yuuzhan Vong Executor know as Nem of Domain Yin, who had left on a return journey to their home galaxy.

The orders had been simple: go into hiding until Nem returned or their safety was compromised. The latter had never happened, despite a few changes on the surface. Though for some time now there was much talk that the Executor had likely died out in the black abyss of the void, his corpse left frozen on some distant world or trapped in the infinite web-way of darkspace. Their acting leader, the appointed Prefect of Zonoma Sekot by the reborn Praetorite, was a Yuuzhan Vong by the name of Shareed Yin.

Black blood seeped from the Intendant's back as Shareed was lowered to the floor from his personal embrace-of-pain, his body still suffering lingering tremors of pain and pleasure in equal measure. In the corner of his quarters/office, a villip choir chimed, letting the Prefect know that someone was trying to reach him. It wasn't unusual, just less frequent an occurrence than it used to be. Since going into hiding they really only communicated amongst themselves within the damutek, though this could just as easily be done in person, which was how it was most often done. He toweled off a layer of sweat and blood with a loose piece of robeskin, feeding the biot while cleansing himself at the same time. His upper torso was naked, exposing a ritualized tattoo on his back of Yun-Harla, the trickster goddess. His lower half was modestly covered with cloaker leggings that bonded to his skin from waist to ankle. He walked over to the villip and stroked the biot, allowing whoever was on the other end to communicate. The organic device began to change form until it created a visual representation of the head of Executor Nem Yin.

Salutations, Prefect. The villip spoke with the reaver's voice. I trust you've maintained order in my absense.

Shareed could hardly believe his eyes, which now were wide open, the purple eye sacks beneath his mqaaq'it bulging with surprise.

"Executor, your presence has been sorely missed." It was true. The members of Domain Yin shared something of a fraternal bond, perhaps a result of the time spent in their youth training as assassins for the now defunct Yuuzhan Vong Empire. "But yes, order has been maintained. Among the Praetorite at least. I can not speak for the surface dwelling Yuuzhan Vong."

You have agents among them, yes?

"Obviously. Though they have not had much to report other than a few squabbles amongst biot farmers." He paused, unable to hold back the lingering question that was foremost in his mind. "Your return, does that mean we will be reasserting ourselves on the surface?"

The villips depiction of Nem sneered. Not yet, but soon. I need to reach out to my contacts amongst the infidels first, get the lay of the land, as they would say from their heathen lips. Prepare in the interim.

"We've done nothing but prepare, Executor. We will be ready."

Nem didn't reply, but the recreation of his face gave Shareed a look that essentially said "see that you do", without the need for spoken word. The communications biot reverted back into its previous form as the Executor disconnected, leaving the Prefect alone once again. Shareed lowered his right hand to the coufee blade sheathed on his hip, holding the pommel while clenching his left hand into a fist.

They would be ready.