A Chapter 7 Preparations(2)

  "Ravena! How come your state didn't release such an important piece of news the moment the asteroid was captured entering our star system? Or could it be that you and your underlings are too incompetent for even such a task?" asked Chief Lutalo, his gaze boring into the golden eyed woman. After ruminating a bit, everyone had agreed to the proposal from before, and now, the Chief had decided to dump his dissatisfaction onto someone.

  "My name shouldn't casually leave your lips, savage! Or you might come to regret it! And what would you understand about observing the stars, you half-sapient gorilla!" Ravena hissed back, metaphorical sparks igniting between the two leaders.

  "Heh! Do you really want me to show you how savage I can be, woman?!" he shouted.

  These two firecrackers had been calm previously, a miracle in itself. Yet now, gunpowder was in the air. I turned towards Dan, seeking his help in pacifying the two, yet all he gave me was the shrug of his shoulders.

  "We have important stuff to discuss, Ravena! Chief!" I put on the best impression of a stern expression I could manage, directing it towards the Chief, after all, the man had started it.

  "Where did it come from?" asked the Chief without pause, his expression having morphed back into stoic calmness.

  "Where else, probably a rogue thing outside the system! And since it created such an anomaly, I believe they are aliens. Maybe their ship was cloaked from our sensors..." Dan extrapolated, though it was far from the truth as I had come to know beforehand.

  "Your conjecture is wrong, Dan." a sigh escaped Ravena's lips. Though, I captured the gleam in her eyes. She was deliberately letting all the others speak first, as if wanting the eventual reveal to unhinge their jaws.

  "How wrong?" even Snow failed to curb her curiosity.

  "According to the data, and the video feed from the telescope, space, or the void, or whatever, ripped itself open, creating a rift through which the golden figure emerged." she revealed slowly, her eyes brimming with glee, while a smile played upon her lips as she gazed at the reactions.

  Both the Chief and his son narrowed their eyes, skepticism clearly dripping from them. Dan's eyes were wide open as he believed Ravena. His aide's expression mirrored the Lutalos, the same as Snow's second in command. Snow on the other hand, had frozen, her gaze flickering as if truly contemplating whether to believe what had been said as the truth, or take it as a joke.

  "Are you playing with us? This is an important meeting, woman!" The chief banged the table with enough force for me to feel the vibrations with my forearms, which were resting upon its surface.

  "Why would I play with you, less intelligent plebian?" Ravena's smile vanished, only to be replaced by a scowl.

  "Are you really? For real?!" asked Raiden, disbelief thick in his voice.

  "Yes, it's true, answered Ril in her mother's stead since she was still locked in a staring contest with Chief.

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  "It's true. That's why, I am over 90% certain that even if there are no aliens, whatever it is, must be related to an advanced civilization in the depths of the galaxy, or the cosmos." I confirmed, which served to assuage the doubts of the skeptical, letting their shock to start bleeding through.

  "An alien... Interesting!" commented David, his eyes glazed over.

  "Did you manage to capture a clear image?" asked Dan.

  "The luminous light it released was too much for the equipment. It... Wasn't just light, but also embedded with another frequency, one we believe could be of a metallic nature." Ril explained after a shake of the head, her disappointment visible. I had given them one of our inventions, a device capable of scanning the different permutations of the spiritual energy particle, though the readings were highly dependent on available data, meaning, anything unknown, even if detected, couldn't be recognized without prior knowledge.

  "Well then..." Dan leaned back into his seat and crossed his arms over his chest. "... Where did it land? And what are we going to do about it?"

  "Of course, exploration! Duh!" David said, giving Dan a look that said, 'Are you an idiot or something?'

  The other man's beady eyes narrowed, almost to the point where I was wondering whether they had shut. Though, the dangerous aura brewing around him was anything but.

  "Mr. Lutalo, your son is not seated at the table. He's at most, a guard, an aide. He shouldn't antagonize others." I said calmly, yet also making certain to apply pressure with my gaze towards the duo.

  "It... Won't happen again." the Chief ultimately took a step back. Though, I captured the clench in David's jaw, and the sliver of malice at my words.

  "I can see that most of you at this table are excited about the potential of what might be discovered, and if I am guessing right, then it means whatever the falling star turns out to be, it should have made it to land. Most probably, Kisol. But have you considered the negatives? the repercussions? The dangers? I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but I more inclined to not going." Dan continued after regaining himself.

  "True, there are many dangers, many things that need to be hushed out. But it might hold the key to something big! What if we could get as strong as the beasts themselves?... What if we too, could absorb spiritual energy? I feel that this is a chance we can't pass up!" I took a deep breath after saying my piece, my eyes gazing at the grains in the wood of the table with interest. There had been no need for that outburst. I had just exposed my true direction of research towards the other states. And I was certain that many had picked up on it.

  Equaling the life level of the beasts... Many would find it absurd, but I was certain that it was possible. I really wanted to go explor—No! Even if everyone at this table objected, I would still make preparations to embark towards Kisol! Why? Because I had a feeling, a gut instinct that what I sook, could be related to that alien thing! Besides, we had to also make sure that it wouldn't be a threat to our budding civilization!

  "I think we should go, but also make extensive preparations. And Mr. Luthor, I do believe you must have a way to get us to Kisol without dying?" Snow's voice was like music to my ears. I raised my head and stared at the woman, before nodding.

  "The both of you, plus me... Even if we brought it to a vote, those of us who agree to head there would be in the majority." said the Chief, his mouth cracking a smile.

  "It looks like we are gonna need equipment, weapons! After all, Kisol is an entire continent filled with beasts!" David cracked his knuckles, the crimson in his eyes giving the illusion that it had increased.

  "We won't be waging any wars or battles. We have no idea how numerous and powerful the beasts are. Our mission will require that we don't make too much noise." I glared at both the father and the son. If they made any noise, or brought trouble, I would abandon them there. It would have been even better if they weren't going themselves, but I was certain that it would be impossible to dissuade them.

  "No matter what you say, this trip won't lack battles. Or, have you made a discovery of something that could conceal us from them?" asked the Chief with barely concealed mirth. My face turned cold as I glared at the man.

  These two people, the father and the son were unpredictable troubles. I wish I could just kill them and choose others from the Lutalo state!

  "I also intend to go. Dan, don't be a spoilsport and accompany us. Let me put it this way, what if the alien thing is dangerous and we allow it to gain power on Kisol? Would there be anywhere you could run if it steps foot onto Bantu? Wouldn't you feel guilty then, for not acting now?" Ravena persuaded. When I gazed at her as Dan sank into contemplation, she offered me a wink.

  "...Then we will need to be thoroughly prepared! Luthor! You and your state are the only ones with advanced technology. I believe now is the time to get those skeletons out of the closet!" Dan ultimately decided to agree after a sigh, with his posture straightening, and a gleam appearing in his eye.

  "Yes. A plan must be finalized. First, we will go by plane, and the numbers shouldn't exceed ten-No, fifteen. We need to bring specialists in certain fields." after a pause, I continued, "Second! We are going to need weapons. And I will be the one to provide! Everything will be made of Spiritual circuit technology. Right now, we have just entered another day, so, after tomorrow, we set off!" I concluded.

  "Apart from those of us at this table, how will the other five be chosen?" asked the Chief, his eyes narrowed.

  "Every one will have a single slot. I won't be monopolising the selections. But, bring someone who has something to bring to the table, not some muscle-brain!" I warned.

  "Come on, Luthor! Don't look down on us! How did we win the war in our territory if we lacked brains?" asked David.

  "Everyone knows you sacrificed people." Ravena said with a distasteful expression.

  "We humans breed like rabbits. Eventually, we shall get back the population." nonchalantly said the Chief.