Chapter XLVI: Planet Zorkon VII

Chapter XLVI: Planet Zorkon VII 

“All right, you guys have just entered the system, right?” Serge asks. 

“Yeah, we’re here.”  

“Alright, this is it. Zorkon VII is their home planet, it’s incredibly hot down there, so I suggest you suit up. The internal air conditioning should keep you cool. Ballester, you’re the human ambassador, Gorgax the Galaxian ambassador. Chimmy and Manboutu will both go with you for extra security. You can’t let them know the ambassador from Automoton is on the ship, they might try to confiscate him. Unless- how are your armaments, 101?” 

“Weapon ranges from stun to disintegration.” 101 says. 

“Are they light based?” 

"Negative. Weapons are plasma based.” 

“Oh, that’s good, that’s very good. You will defend the ship for the duration. If any Zorkons approach the ship, ask their intent before shooting, we don’t wanna start another war if we could prevent one.” 

“Acknowledged.” 

“Ok, we just passed Zorkon I. I just hope we can get there before they intercept us.” Ballester says. “Approaching Zorkon II.” 

“Alright, I don’t need to remind you that this is a delicate situation, so please try your best to keep cool heads. That goes for everyone.” 

“So what are we actually negotiating here?” 

“Well, an ally as strong as them would be great, we’d be able to defeat any enemies with them on our side. I just don’t agree with their politics, I’m not looking for planets to conquer, I just want to form a galactic alliance. Tell them we don’t want to fight, we just want peace.” 

“What if they want an offering?” 

“Depends on what it is. Oh, I know! Mercury. Offer them Mercury if they want an offering, but that’s your only bargaining chip, don’t waste it. They can only have it if they agree not to invade or destroy our planet or mess with any of our ships. If they decide to attack, use the warhead.” 

“Yes sir. We have reached Zorkon III.” 

“Man, they weren’t really creative in naming their planets, were they?” 

“Nah, when Zimzax invaded Earth, he renamed it after himself, so I can guess that whoever conquers a planet gets to rename it after themselves.” 

“They sound like douchebags, what was it like fighting them?” 

“Difficult to say the least, these guys are huge, at least 12 feet tall.” 

“Jeez, good thing I’m sending you with backup then, huh?” 

“Yeah, well, while you were on your little expedition, these guys were overrunning us.” 

“I get it, shut the f**k up about that already!” 

“Whatever.” 

“At least you know their weak spots.” 

“Yeah, yeah, approaching Zorkon IV.” 

“Alright, you’re almost there. Ballester, Oigres, you have the advantage, you can’t die, so if any combat goes on, throw yourselves into the front lines and guard the other three as much as you can. If you’re in a tight situation, radio the ship and get 101 out there to help you. But only as a last resort.” 

“Yes sir.” 

“If all goes well, we’ll exchange information with them, and hopefully they won’t use it against us.” 

“That’s what I’m worried about, what if they stab us in the back?” 

“Well, hopefully we’ll have those upgrades on the ship by then, if not, we’ll just blow up their home planet.” 

“I’m really f*****g nervous right now. I haven’t been this nervous since my first tour of duty.” 

“C’mon, I’ll relieve some of that stress, we’ll both need it.” Gorgax says as she takes him to their quarters. 

“Ugh, yuck.” Oigres says. 

“Haha, what?” Serge asks. 

“I feel like all my parents do is f**k.” 

“That’s good to have such a high libido at their age.” 

“Maybe, but I’m their kid, it grosses me out no matter how you slice it.” 

“Well, how do you think you got here?” 

“I’m just glad they’re using whatever Galaxians use for protection, cause as much as they f**k, I should have a shitload of siblings by now.” 

“Well, you’re still young, when you get older, you start to understand that it’s just a fact of life.” 

“We’ve just reached Zorkon V.” 

“Alright, I want you taking samples if you can, and possibly find out if they have any females. From the war reports, it seems as though only men invaded the planet.” 

“Jeez, I wonder if their women will look much different? The Galaxians all look the same to me.” 

“Hey, I resent that!” Arizona says. 

“Well, you’re obviously different, but I probably wouldn’t be able to pick you out of a crowd of other blind Galaxians.” 

“You’re lucky I don’t have telekinesis or I’d slam you right into that wall.” 

“Alright, I’m sorry, ok? It’s just that humans are easier to distinguish from one another than any other species we’ve come across so far, including you guys.” 

“F**k off.” 

“Alright kids, stop fighting, you have a job to do.” Serge says. 

“You’re right, I’m sorry, Oigres.” 

“I’m sorry too, Arizona.” Oigres says. 

“Good.” Serge says. 

“Approaching Zorkon VI. Uh oh.” 

“Uh oh?”  

“We’re being scanned.” 

“Attention, hostile aircraft, state your business or you will be fired upon!” A deep booming voice comes through the speaker, overriding Serge’s transmission. 

“We’re on a mission of peace.” 

“Your armaments say otherwise.” 

“Please, just let us set down on Zorkon VII and we can talk this out.” Ballester and Gorgax come running to the bridge. 

“What’s going on?” They ask. 

“They know we’re here.” 

“Our ships will escort you to the planet, do not deviate from your flight path.” The booming voice says. 

“Mom? Dad? One of you wanna take the controls, here?” Gorgax rushes and grabs the controls. Four Zorkon ships show up and each take a side. One port, starboard, aft, and bow. Tensions rise on the ship as they get closer to Zorkon VII. Within a few more minutes, they reach the planet and land. Everyone suits up and exits the ship. They’re greeted by a few armed Zorkons. The one in the front approaches them. 

“State your business.” The Zorkon says. 

“Not to sound uh, cliche...” Ballester says. “...but, take us to your leader.” 

“Not until you state your business. What are you doing in our territory? Do you have a death wish, or do you wish to be enslaved instead?” 

“We come on a mission of peace. If you could just take us to your leader, I’ll explain everything. Our leader would like to make peace between our two worlds. We’d rather have you as an ally than an enemy.” 

“Hmm, wise decision. Follow us, and do not wander.” 

“Um, I’m here to observe and collect samples, is that ok?” Oigres asks. 

“Fine, but you will be accompanied by one of our guards.” He motions to another Zorkon who follows Oigres as he starts collecting. “The rest of you, follow me. Let’s go.” The group follows the Zorkon as they navigate the rocky terrain. The sun blinding them, they shield their eyes the whole way. They enter a cave, which is also full of Zorkons. Finally, they reach a Zorkon that is sitting on a golden throne, with shapes on it that suggest it was made from the corpses of the Void Planet long ago. “Sir, these aliens wish to speak with you. They claim to be on a mission of peace.” The leader leans forward and looks at the crew. 

“Galaxians and...what are you supposed to be? More importantly, what’s THAT supposed to be?” the leader says as he points to Chimmy. 

“Uh, sir? You are male, correct?” Ballester asks. 

“You may address me as Xaxtar.” 

“Xaxtar...” 

“LORD Xaxtar.” 

“Lord Xaxtar, we were sent by our leader to negotiate an alliance between our planets.” 

“Your leader sent you here, knowing how dangerous it is for you?” 

“Well, we’re from Earth, I’m a human, and Chimmy over there is a human/canine/uh, food item. He was experimented on.” 

“Earth...wait a minute...You people destroyed two of my armies!” 

“Only in self defense!” 

“You have the fortitude to come to our planet and seek an alliance after you destroyed two armies? You’re either really brave, or really stupid.” 

“Like I said, our leader sent us.” 

“Then he must be very brave or very stupid.” 

“We would rather have you as an ally than as an enemy. We know your potential, and we’d rather have it on our side than have to fight it.” 

“Seems logical.” 

“Look, we haven’t attacked you, that must mean something.” 

“I suppose, but I could squash all of you like insects, delicious insects.” He licks his lips as a giant insect crawls by and he snatches it with his tongue and eats it. 

“Please, Lord Xaxtar, please hear us out.” 

“Hmm, begging, I like this, it pleases me. I want more. All of you, on your hands and knees. Beg! Beg for your worthless lives and I might consider it.” 

“Might consider?” 

“Are you arguing with me, human?” 

“No sir.” 

“What was that?” 

“No, Lord Xaxtar, sir.” 

“That’s better.” 

“Please, we humbly ask for some of your time, that is all.” 

“Fine. Human and Galaxian, follow me. The other two will be our...guests...while we talk. Guards!” Ballester and Gorgax follow Xaxtar with a guard, while Chimmy and Manboutu stay behind with the cave dwellers. “Make sure our guests are comfortable. They’ve beaten us before, we don’t want to start a war we can’t win.” 

“Our sentiments exactly, Lord Xaxtar, sir.” They enter his private study and sit down across from him.