High above the heroes heads, beyond Earth?s orbit, a man in a black trenchcoat and close shaved head knelt on a cold walkway with his head down and eyes shut, meditating. The interior of the ship in which he waited was dark, and stretched further than the eye could clearly see. Where the bulkheads could be seen they were clearly metallic, but their architecture was somehow organic, as though the vast ship had grown rather than been assembled. The subtle vibrations that seemed to penetrate the air had unsettled him at first, but now, he embraced them. More, he felt he would be lost without them. They were always with him. Suddenly his eyes opened.
?I sense someone on the surface.? He said. ?Someone powerful, and saturated in bloodlust and greed.? A deep, sonorous voice that seemed to be all around him instead of just in his head answered him.
?We know of this. He brings further chaos to this world, in his attempt to claim it for his own kind. Soon this world will be consumed by it, and will spread. The galaxy will bow to it, just as it has in your universe. Just as we have told you since you first discovered us.?
?I can?t allow that to happen! You mustn?t allow it!?
?We have no intention of doing so. We are this world?s salvation through destruction. As in the galaxy from which we have come, the cycle of chaos nears completion. It is time to bring it down, and start afresh. And though this world must fall, we will incorporate its weak, short-lived people into our fleet, that they may be preserved permanently.? For a moment the man seemed to struggle with himself, then bowed his head in assent.
?Even the death of every being on this planet is preferable to the tyranny and rebellion of my galaxy. What would you have me do??
?We have brought ground forces from our previous campaign. Take them with you, and bring order to the chaos. And remember this. Those whose struggles you have already witnessed are just as responsible for upsetting the order. Should you encounter them, show no mercy.?
?Very well. I shall do as you command.? The man said, rising to his feet.
?We will proceed to Earth now. Prepare yourself, you are the Harbinger of their perfection, and their time comes soon.?