Chapter 10:

Dorfo was leading the old counselor to the hangar bay. He was about to come face to face with the Terrans, something he never wanted to see in his life. Old Garden was walking by his side without a single care. He turned to his secretary.

"Well, Rara, did you figure out the meaning of ambassador?"

She was still typing annoyingly on her data pad, following us. How did she even know where she was going?

"Yes, Excellency. An ambassador is an official envoy, especially a high-ranking diplomat who represents a state and is usually accredited to another sovereign state or to an international organization as the resident representative of their own government or sovereign or…"

"I understand, Rara. That's enough. So, that would, in the Terran eyes, make me the sole spokesman for the Strunin people. Unexpected but…"

He stopped halfway through the sentence. Dorfo was trying to figure out the goals of the old Clan Head. What is he planning?

Old Garden spoke again.

"Rara, document our full encounter. Everything should go into official records. I will be speaking for the collective."

"Yes, Excellency."

We reached the reception bay. The Terran “delegation” informed us of their departure and upcoming arrival. If someone had told me three hours ago that I would be welcoming Terrans on my ship or the misfortune that we encountered, I would have laughed. But here I am. I was wondering how soon they would arrive when the bay operator spoke.

"Terran vessel approaching, Ship Master. They are requesting to dock."

"Approved," Dorfo said without hesitation, but he wasn't thinking clearly at this point.

The Terran craft came through the open bay doors and landed to the side, with something that seemed to be a door facing us. Before Dorfo could mentally prepare, the doors of the craft opened.

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Five armored figures exited the craft, holding some type of weapon in their hands. Dorfo let his fear wash over him now. The weapons looked kinetic and not energy-based. If they wanted diplomacy, why are these warriors here? They lined up in a formation next to the ship.

Then two other Terrans exited the craft, no armor, they were in white overalls, their faces clearly visible, no fur on their faces, just exposed skin, small patches of pelt on top of their heads. They quietly stood next to the five armored warriors.

None of them seemed to be the official representative. The next figure exited the craft. He had fur on his head and his face. He was larger and broader than the others. So, this must be an Ape. Most of his skin on his arms was exposed, no fur there, just some black markings on one of his arms. And he wore a black garment with a large death's head on the front. He looked like he could break me in half. Then a second figure came out. No, this was the Ape. It was huge. Dorfo almost fainted. He felt sick but somehow remained standing. It had armor on its chest similar to the first five figures that exited the craft. Its arms, head, and shoulders were exposed. It was a presentation of its physical might. Dorfo couldn't believe that these two Terran species were somehow related. Then again, the Yor and Tor had almost no similarities.

We thought that was all of them, but three more Terrans exited the craft: two more Humans and another Ape, slightly smaller than the first one we saw.

Two of the Terrans stepped forward: the one with the death's head on his garment and the huge Ape.

Dorfo was completely frozen, but the old councilor started walking towards them, his secretary right behind him. Dorfo slowly started walking, step by step, trying not to fall.