[the Atripliceae Family Platform in atmospheric orbit over the planet Skye]

Skye's sun, Cian had breached the horizon of the green planet but its normally brilliant orange rays were lost inside the dense, dark mass of cloud that made up the savage thunderstorm that had engulfed the Atripliceae Family Platform. Into this storm the death squad cruiser, Ascent had materialised from its jump and was making a line to the weather besieged platform.

In the first storm-light, the black ship appeared an upright, crystal-shaped shadow floating ominously towards a series of large, interconnected cuboid structures, some were domed on the top or side, and all were peppered with portals of various sizes. Some platform modules were lit but most were dark dots on the hull. The Ascent came to a full stop directly before the platform's shield protected docking bay. Even if the Ascent was small enough to dock inside the platform, with the shield up it would be unable to do so without the consent of the platform SIS. But consent was not a notion the death squad required; by universal holy decree, the squad needed no permission at any level to carry out an activity that would facilitate and expedite the upholding of the law. So, to gain access, a salvo of assault ordinance launched from the apex of the large ship. Like a spray of spirit energy, the missiles penetrated the shield and disabled its projector.

The rain was streaming so hard it blew into the bay horizontally. The squad's air shift blew in like a piece of debris, with the three Churchmen having to hold on to the rails of the normally stable transport disc.

When at ground level, the three death-dealers jumped onto the floor of the docking bay, their black capes flapping violently around them. Normally the squad members wore their tight-fitting black clergy uniforms, but now, in the field, the cloth was overlaid with light, glossy body armour.

The docking bay was lit by conventional overhead light panels. Honi looked to Eiko, who nodded. Permission granted, the Churchman drew his sword, and, in one fluid move, aimed with arm outstretched to the ceiling and fired a series of bright blue energy bolts that shot from the hilt of the weapon, up the blade, and into the primary light source of the vaulted space, throwing the large chamber into a gloomy darkness. Fear was a product of shadow.

As the lights went out, the team activated their final piece of dramatic utility; each churchman was equipped with a holographic face mask. When engaged, the mask took the form of a translucent human skull and supplied an overlay so that the features of face and skull merged into one grotesque visage. The real objective of their absolute justice was not to kill the offender but to inspire dread in those left behind. It was their job to ensure that cheating the long life, was not an option to be considered lightly.

As horrifying the mask, armor and weaponry were, it was the white collar they wore around their necks that was the most effective symbol the death squad could bear. The ancient symbol of God's authority was an infallible instrument of immovable purpose.

"I detect a group of inhabitants gathering beyond the inner doors, including the offender. No weapons." Sam reported, shouting over the din of the rain.

"I don't like this." pondered Eiko, "This assignment seems wrong. I can't reason why, but something is not right."

"We have a message via the Ascent." offered Sam, "The offender wants to talk with us."

"Negotiate!?" exclaimed Honi, he hadn't sheathed his sword and now assumed a balanced stance in readiness for action, "I can see what you mean old man, this assignment is far from our standard execution."

"Okay, Sam, send a reply." Ordered Eiko, "Tell them that Lynx Lynx is to enter the docking bay alone and unarmed." Then added, "Now, let's spread out and if you see anything or anyone move inside of this docking bay other than the offender, I want you both to take it out quicker than two dogs rooting, got that?"

His two subordinates nodded in agreement as they moved out to cover their Dean's left and right flank.

From their position, the Churchmen could not see the main personnel entry directly. It was situated down a short corridor that ran parallel to the back wall of the chamber and to a large open archway into the bay. Lynx walked confidently around the blind corner to an ominously timed flash of lightning and thunder. He couldn't help but jump in surprise at the storm's drama and the small group of skull-faced churchmen who jerked their weapons to readiness as he rounded into their view.

Tall and dignified, the platform's patriarch appeared to be in his mid-forties; he wore the formal family dress of sky blue shirt, white pants with a light green sash around his waist. Lynx walked out before his would-be executioners, unaware of their purpose at the platform. He stopped not more than ten meters before the gruesome Dean who signaled a halt. Lynx entreated with the Churchman, shouting slightly so that he could be heard above the storm. "Greetings Churchmen, and welcome to the house of the Atripliceae. We are a peaceful and law abiding family of scholars and politicians mostly, and, I must say, we are a little perplexed at your presence, but willing to talk and help you on your way as friends."

In his many years of service, Eiko had seen some strange turn of events, but never during this time in the clergy had any offender approached his squad in such a cordial manner. For less than a second, he was taken aback and didn't know how he should respond. But, the process of execution had been etched into the Churchman's soul, and so, he soon slipped effortlessly into the sermon of the ending day.