Chapter XXXIX: Cloud Planet

Chapter XXXIX: Cloud Planet 

“Ok guys, looks like this one is a gas giant, however, the gases that compose it are hydrogen and oxygen.” Serge says. 

“So, those are clouds we’re seeing?” Ballester asks. 

“Correct, the entire planet is just one big cloud. Huh, a gas giant made up of clouds? So interesting. Let me know what you find. Serge out.” 

“I guess I’ll-” 

“No.” Gorgax interrupts. 

“What?” 
“This planet is pure, evaporated, clean water. My species should be the ones to make first contact, you always get to!” 

“Alright, fine, babe. Go get suited up, and-” 

“No, we’re doing this one naked. Manboutu, Arizona, we must first sanitize before embarking on this mission. We cannot contaminate this purist of pure worlds.”  

“Understood.” They say, almost instinctively. They strip down, shower, and leave the ship hovering just above the atmosphere. Between the wind and the water, they had no problem navigating the planet. 

“This is amazing, it’s like we’re flying and swimming at the same time!” Gorgax says. 

“This is probably how our ancestors felt in their lakes, ponds and swamps!” Manboutu says. 

“The cool water is overloading my senses in a way I’ve never felt before, and it feels amazing.” Arizona says. 

“Is it just me, or is anyone else seeing faces in the cloud formations?” 

“I am picking up green dots that seem to change from place to place in an instant, but I just assumed it was you two.” 

“Oh, you found us!” a mouth in a cloud speaks, then disappears. “Up here!” They look up. “Now, I’m over here!” 

“What’s going on?” Gorgax asks. 

“The wind blows me around the clouds.” the mouth says before it disappears again. “There’s actually multiple parts of me everywhere, so the same mouth you’re talking to isn’t the same one.” 

“How are you alive?” 

“The electrical storm in the middle of me sends impulses throughout the cloud-” It shifts “-but only for small intervals at a time.” 

“Are we talking to the planet itself, or a consciousness inside of the planet?” 

“I’d like to believe I am the planet, as I can feel you swimming through me. Feels good, by the way.” 

“Feels good to us, too.” 

“I appreciate the way your species handles water.” 

“What do you mean?” 

“How you sanitized yourself so as not to contaminate me.” 

“Yeah, we got used to doing that after we... destroyed our own planet because our ancestors just s**t in the water, and didn’t care. So now before going into any clean water, we sanitize ourselves first so as not to contaminate it.” 

“Good to know your species learned its lesson, I was sad to hear you go.” 

“How do you know about that?” 

“Our mutual neighbor.” 

“You talk to the people of that fantasy world?” 

“Fantasix, and yes, have you never explored your own solar system?” 

“No, that’s why we’re here now, to do just that.” 

“After a few millennia?” 

“Well, we settled on a planet called Earth in the Milky Way Galaxy, and the human in charge sent us on a mission of exploration.” 

“Well, thank him for me, because I never thought I’d meet a Galaxian. Tell me, why are one of you oddly shaped and the other oddly colored?” Manboutu and Arizona explain their mutations and experimental procedures. “So, you’re the only pure Galaxian?” 

“Yeah, I’m just stronger than most of my species because while everyone was concerned with finding a mate or school or whatever, I joined the military and blew all the males away. I smashed records across the board.” She looks off in fondness. “Then, I became a life partner and raised four younglings. The human DNA sped up their aging process, they were adults by five years old, half that of a Galaxian. However, I’m still wondering how it affects their life span. While we live until three hundred, humans typically don’t even make it to one hundred. I’ve already lost one son in the war against the Zorkons, I don’t intend to outlive the other three kids.” 

“Wait, wait, you fought the Zorkons?” 

“Uh huh.” 

“And won?” 

“Sort of... I got killed during the war too, but the outcome was that we overall did win, especially against the second battle.” 

“That’s amazing, they visited me once, but saw I was a gas giant and continued on their way. Got their asses handed to them by the fairy tale creatures next door, and your planet was so destroyed, they saw no point in trying to conquer it.” 

“What? When was this war against the Zorkons?” 

“Oh, about five thousand years ago, Zorkons haven’t been around since.” 

“Did they try to conquer the other planets?” 

“Nah, there was nobody to conquer then, but there is now.” 

“What other planets are there?” 

“Well, there’s my brother next to us, Gas Planet. He’s made up of methane, carbon monoxide, and what have you.” 

“Excuse me, brother?” 

“Yes, we’re twin planets, we were created at the same time. If you can brave his air and gravity, you’re welcome to go in and chat with him.” 

“Where’s your massive gravity? You’re a gas giant, after all.” 

“I’m what you would call a low gravity gas giant, I’m made up of clouds of ice and water, that can be spread as evenly or as dense as I would like. Watch.” Thunder and lighting go off as the air pressure starts rising, giving the Galaxians headaches. 

“Ok, can you stop that please?” 

“Sorry, I forgot how fragile you organic beings can be.” 

“Thanks. Anyway, about our solar system?” 

“Well, I know there’s Void Planet, which is just a big, black planet, Gas tells me there’s life on it, but I think he’s crazy.” 

“Well, our boss did say this solar system was teeming with life.” 

“Ah yes, the human. I remember when he was here studying those Scott things. I told him about the other planets, that’s probably how he knows that it’s ‘teeming with life.’ The clouds seem to form fingers when she says that. “Get it?” I made air air quotes!” The planet starts laughing heartily. “Know what? You guys are fun, you should come back with some more of your species, I love you inside me.” 

“We love being inside you too.” 

“Well, we should probably go soon... do you have any other information about the other planets?” 

“Well, I’m not usually a gossip, but word is that Mirror Planet doesn’t actually exist, it exists only for organics. I can’t see it, neither can Gas, but the people of Void and Fantasix swear it’s there. I never see it during rotation, then again, I don’t see the last three planets during rotation anyway.” 

“How long have we been in here?” 

“By your standard clock, 27 hours.” 

“What? We should have been back at least three hours ago!” 

“Where are you going?” The temperature drops and the clouds freeze over. “Don’t you wanna stay here with me in eternal bliss?” 

“I’m sorry, but we have- a job-” Gorgax passes out from hypothermia, as do the other two. Gorgax wakes up in the medical bay. “Nyvar? Is it really you?” 

“Oh mom, you came out of it ok! That planet won’t stop asking every hour if you’re ok.” Nyvar says. 

“You’ve made contact with the planet?” 

“Well, she made contact with us after she accidentally froze you guys. She felt so bad she hailed the ship and we were able to get you guys out of there.” 

“How?” 

“She froze herself and left your bodies on her surface and stayed frozen until we lifted off. We couldn’t believe a planet was talking to us!” 

“Can I talk to her now?” 

“It’s me, Cloud Planet, are they alive yet? Over.” The voice of the planet comes through a speaker. Nyvar presses the button.  

“My mom’s awake if you wanna talk to her.” Nyvar says. 

“The plain Galaxian? What’s her name again?”  

“Gorgax.” Gorgax says. 

“I’m so sorry, I never meant to hurt you, it’s just that I’m not used to many visitors and having you inside me was a wonderful experience, I wish it would happen more often. I know you had to leave, but I didn’t want you to go, I’m sorry.” 

“It’s understandable. We’ll drop a beacon here and you can talk to us whether we’re in space or at home. Get it? Weather?” 

“Uh...huh, I think my joke was better.” 

“Maybe.” 

“Anyway, it’s good to know you’re alive! What about the other two?” 

“They’re still unconscious but still alive.” 

“Well, they’re alive, but I’d feel better knowing everyone’s ok.” 

“You seem to have quite the range of emotions for being just a planet.” 

“Planets are living things, just cause we all don’t speak doesn’t mean we can’t feel.” 

“I wonder how Galaxia feels.” 

“Galaxia died a long time ago, you have a new home now, Earth. Protect her the way you would protect Galaxia if you had a second chance.” 

“Thanks, Cloud. Looks like Manboutu is coming to.” 

“The genetically altered male?” 

“Yes.” 

“I don’t know what he did to me, but when he went unconscious, some ooze spilled out and I am wasted!” 

“That’s my own special venom, baby. Didn’t mean to get any on ya.” Manboutu says, slyly. 

“Well, it’s gonna take quite awhile to filter these toxins out, it’s just so sticky.” 

“Sorry, ma’am.” 

“It’s alright, you’re young, it happens.” Arizona wakes up. 

“The f**k just happened?” She asks. 

“Blind Galaxian! You’re ok!” Cloud says. 

“What? Yeah, I’m ok, just a massive headache.” 

“Sorry for the brain freeze, hun.” 

“Well, being inside you was worth it...I guess.” 

“My offer still stands: Your kind is welcome any time, provided they follow the same regulations as you three did.” 

“Understood. Gorgax, out.” 

“See you, honey.” Cloud says. 

Reviews

[Ms claws]

Hi Scorpious Alpha, I'm blown away by how you can keep up with the dialogue!

Oh, by the way, I agree about the water. I think there should be separation.

[Scorpious Alpha]

It's like I'm having a conversation in my head and I just type it down