[Randallw]

Terik’Tellet wondered what was happening. For all his life he had known only a few rooms, first the crèche and then the barracks where he and his brothers had been raised. Now they had all been ordered to a new part of the facility. A giant hall wherein he and his brothers, along with many other groups he had never seen, were ordered into ranks. Since his birth, he had known only the rule of the caretakers. Apart from his brothers, these older men were the only Jem’Hadar he had ever seen, however somehow he took comfort in the silent ranks of Jem’Hadar lined up along the hallway. He instinctively knew how to speak. He knew how to fight. He knew to take comfort in the brotherhood of the others. He never gave a thought to how he knew these things. To him and all the others this knowledge was as natural as breathing. Eventually the Hall was filled. Terik’Tellet and the others stood at attention waiting. After some time a figure walked up to the podium at the head of the hall and addressed the ranks.
“I am Aset’Telar. You will address me as Honoured Elder” at which the figure paused “I am 16 years old”
Slowly this fact soaked into Terik’Tellet’s mind. At 3 weeks of age he could barely accept that anyone could live so long.
“It is probable that none of you will reach my age” Aset’Telar continued “But perhaps, if you serve the Founders well, you may, however unlikely, one day be worthy to be addressed as honoured Elder”
The Jem’Hadar Elder came out from behind his podium and stood before the assembled troops
“Do any of you think you can defeat me?” he questioned.
“I can defeat you!” called out one of the Jem’Hadar. Terik’Tellet was unsurprised to recognise the call as being from his brother Calim’Kalen. The other Jem’Hadar had, through some unforseen mutation, grown to tower over the others from his crèche. During training over the previous weeks he had slain two of his brothers. His Brothers sometimes joked that his growth was at the expense of his intelligence. Not for the first time Terik’Tellet wondered why he hadn’t been removed along with other Jem’Hadar who had developed mutations. To Terik’Tellet’s surprise the Elder seemed to have been expecting the challenge.

A space was cleared in the center of the hall and the 2 combatants faced off. The giant Jem’Hadar loomed over the Elder, who was slowly limbering up. Terik’Tellet could see that Calim’Kalen had already decided the thin Elder would be no match. His anticipation of victory was apparent in his smile. Soon the 2 combatants were ready. At the ring of a bell Calim’Kalen rushed forward, as always planning to defeat his foe through brute strength. The Elder responded and suddenly Calim’Kalen was sprawled on the ground. The Elder quickly knelt and gripped his opponents head in his arm. Baring strength the others had not expected he pulled and the hall resounded with a loud crack as the giants neck snapped. The lifeless body collapsed, a lesson to all those watching. Standing the Elder spoke
“Witness the price of disobedience. You have been training. Train always!. Unlike lesser races you have no need to rest. While they sleep you can train and fight. But training is not all you need. Do not question your superiors and always obey your orders. Obedience brings victory”
“…and victory is life!” responded the soldiers, their voices echoing through the hall