Chapter 617 - Day UNKNOWN: Qual-O-7

I wasn't really surprised when after breakfast Yagg packed me into a spaceship to land on the strange planet below us. I didn't even know its name at that point, nor did I care to ask. Why? Well, he had an awful habit of not answering my questions, which after a while made me almost completely stop asking them.

We took a bigger vessel and then departed from the mothership. There were nice couches around two spots, kinda like on the plane, where we could sit. We also had windows, where we could look outside.

The atmosphere was quite dense, there was a bit of fire involved as we headed to the planet, but we cooled down after slowing a bit, and then I could properly see a belt around the border between the half of the planet surrounded by a firestorm, and the other in complete darkness.

The first thing I noticed was how dense the agglomeration on the darker side of this belt was. The closer to the giant protective wall cutting off the access to the hot part of the planet, the fewer buildings there were, but they also seemed nicer. I saw many mansions with beautiful gardens and exotic plants. Well... almost all of the plants a saw so far were exotic to me.

We landed especially prepared for that place, close to one of the biggest properties I noticed from above. There were several ships already there. Some quite big. other small. Overall this 'garage' was pretty impressive. Bigger than the airports I saw on earth, and I had an opportunity to see a few of them.

There were also some smaller buildings there, all dome-shaped, but the distance was too big to tell any more details.

We were welcomed by a small group of people. The first one who caught my attention was a giant, muscular six meters tall figure with a nasty jaw full of sharp teeth, five-finger hands with sharp claws, wearing a blue jacket and strange white pants that only covered the tights, down to the knees.

The rest of the legs were naked, except the shoes on the feet. Also, blue with upturned toes. The fronts of the shins had bone-like structures under the skin, with actually some of it sticking out, through the skin.

The second one was much smaller. He maybe could reach up to my chest. He was wearing the same white pants, but golden shoes, and a golden jacket on a silver shirt. It was so shiny like it was made out of silk. He had a white piece of cloth over his head, held up by a circlet made out of something which looked like a rope but was also white. This alien's skin was blue and quite wrinkled.

The rest of the committee consisted of three familiar to me creatures. Atri. They had the same greek-style, white robes, and were patiently waiting behind the two at the front.

I didn't ask Yagg who they were, as I presumed I was going to learn that as soon as we got outside. I had my earpiece and the device on my lip already prepared, as I learned English was pretty damn rare in the vast Ixan empire. Who would have thought, huh?

- Welcome! - said the smaller alien, as soon as Yagg appeared outside.

The Calludin completely ignored stairs folding out for him, and just drifted down using his powers.

- It's good to see you Bashan - he replied. - You too. Druoag.

The giant creature slammed its chest with a fist.

- Utmost respect - he said then, which quite surprised me.

His voice was very low, as one could expect.

- And you, human, welcome to Qual-O-7 - said Bashan turning to me.

But he immediately got his attention back to Yagg, as he landed next to him, and they slightly hugged each other, which was something completely new to me. I never saw my owner doing something like that before.

Druoag also acknowledged me by simply growling at me shortly, as I walked down the stairs. I had no idea if it was part of local culture, or he just wanted to scare the shit out of me. Maybe if I was a normal human something like that would work, but I wasn't, so I just ignored it.

It made me almost ignore the fact that there was very freaking hot outside. Way hotter than what I was used to, especially after leaving Earth.

- I presume you won't be staying for long? - Bashan asked Yagg.

- No. I came only to make sure he is delivered safely into your hands - he looked over his shoulder at me. - I'm returning immediately. My travel to Quel'kabar is already scheduled.

- You can not make her highness wait, I understand. Very well then. It was great to see you, even if only for a short moment. I hope you will stay longer, after you are done with your business.

- We will see - said Yagg.

Then he turned around and started slowly flying back to the ship. I was a bit confused at that moment.

- You will stay with us - said Bashan, to clear my hesitation. - Please come. We prepared everything already.

He smiled lightly at me.

- I'm... Peter - I said to him.

The piece on my lip started shining a bit, and then a synthesized voice came out of it. Presumably a translation of my words to his language.

- Peter. Very interesting name. I'm Bashan, and this larger individual here is Druoag. You will be our guest for the time being.

- I'll be in your care then, I guess.

- I'm unsure of your relationship with my friend Yagg, but considering what I heard he could be quite harsh towards you, but let me assure you that we won't. You are our guest after all, although you still can not leave. I made a promise to keep my eye on you.

I nodded to that.

- Please follow me. I'll show you around, and also point you to your new quarters - he continued and then gestured with a hand towards the mansion I already saw from above.

There was some distance to it, but not as far as to the dome-shaped buildings, which were further on the other side. Then he put his hands behind his back and started walking. The three Atri followed him, but the giant alien clearly waited for me to move first.. I sighed, and then followed.