A circle of grass formed under the landing of the Black Bird. The ship’s landing hatch opened with a great thud on the soil of Yatok III and the crew within left the ship to stand in the wind outside.
“Welcome to Yatok III,” announced Ted.
“Anyone know where we go from here?” asked Jack.
“I got directions on the intercom from the Imperial Scouts. We should find the Lorak enclave beyond those hills.
“Let’s get going then,” said Jack.
“Yeah, yeah, you guys get going. I will watch over the ship, and make sure everything is in order.” Ted told the rest of the group.
“You sure you don’t wanna come with us?”
“I think I’m good on marching through empty fields, for now, I’ll tell you when I’m in the mood though.”
“Alright, let’s go! Lyra, Glen, adventure awaits!”
The three of them marched through the tall grass, unwary of approaching with any stealth or subtlety. Jack and Lyra stood out in their all-black uniforms in a field of green while Glen being a large piece of metal did not lend itself to inconspicuousness. Lyra and Jack both wore a sword and gun strapped around their waist while Glen’s lack of pockets or holsters made it difficult to carry anything with him except for the secret compartment in his chest.
Jack thought Yatok III to be a rather peaceful planet, with lots of grass, rolling hills a shining sun. A perfect day for wandering around. At least that was the case until Glen spotted something in the long grass ahead of them.
“I have spotted biological life forms making their way towards us at great speed.”
“Maybe they are friendly?”
“Maybe, but I’m not taking any chances considering our mission,” Lyra said drawing her sword, a long and fine blade glowing in a faint blue.
“I thought this planet was gonna be nice,” Jack complained.
Hurtling out of the grass came two creatures, one riding atop the other. None of them were particularly large and both bore a strange resemblance to animals on Earth.
“Hey! What’s a mouse doing on a squirrel?” Asked Jack.
The rider and his mount came to a halt before them. “What is this mouse business you are speaking of? And what is a squirrel?” asked the rider in an offended tone, “I am Yillon, the great warrior of the thunder paws and this is my mighty steed!”
Jack turned to Lyra, “I suppose they are rather large for being an actual mouse and squirrel. Are we negotiating with them?”
“I’m afraid so, this is a Lorak, don’t be fooled by their appearance they are great warriors,” said Lyra still holding out her blade.
“Accessing, database, Lorak or Loraks are known for their ferocity in battle, although they have yet to develop their own space-travelling technology they have achieved great fame throughout the universe for their services as mercenaries.
“Yes that’s right, I’m very fearsome,” the mouse said, “Anyway! Stop ignoring me! Puny Imperials,” Yillon screamed and flailed his sword in front of them. “I will bring righteous battle onto you!”
Before Lyra tried to kick the warrior across the field Jack managed to intercede. “Greetings upon you, valiant warrior. I am Jack Evans of the Iron Stomach. These are my companions Lyra Varyan great warrior of the Empire and Glen the metal colossus!”
“I’m just Glen,”
“The title suits you, let the mouse speak now,” Jack whispered.
“Finally someone who respects my skills. What brings you here? Answer quick before I kill you!”
“We are here to talk to the resistance leaders on Yatok, I assume you might know more about them. Would you be able to guide us?” Jack asked.
“Guide you? I could do that. It is wise of you to try to talk Imperials, you would not have stood a chance against me, the great Yillon!” the Lorak proclaimed loud enough so that Ted could probably hear it all the way back in the ship. “Follow me then! Yak, we will have battle another day,” Yillon said to his mount.
“Violence isn’t the only option,” Jack said, “We can all be friends.”
“I guess you did manage to get us an audience with the Loraks. Lead the way Yillon.
“Follow me Imperials! Do try to keep up, for I am the wind in the prairie!” screamed Yillon before riding off into the grass.
They chased after him, Lyra was unsurprisingly keeping up with the Yillon and his mount, then there was Glen while not quite as fast did not seem to tire at all from the exercise, and behind them, all was Jack who was already panting after the first hundred meters.
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They ran behind Yillon until they reached what seemed like a small village composed of several wooden huts and a solid palisade, everything looked rather large considering that the creatures within were so small.
“Wait here Imperials! I will go speak to the great Thunder Paw chief.”
They waited awkwardly outside the village. “So… weather is nice,” said Jack.
“Yes, although I’m not used to this much sun,” Lyra replied.
“Does the sun harm you in any way? Ted said you are kind of a vampire, at least on Earth they hate the sun. It usually kills them.”
“You will have to tell me more about those vampires of yours sometime, I have no problem with the sun per se, my home was just rather devoid of it.”
“Oh, that’s good to hear, I didn’t bring any sunscreen with me when I left Earth. This could have been quite bad if you were an actual vampire.”
“Sun what?”
“Sunscreen, it’s like a lotion or spray to protect against the sun, I do not know if it works that well on vampires though. I know you aren’t one, but still, something to consider.”
Yillon came riding back on his mighty steed and interrupted any further talk of the implications of sunscreen on vampire society. He led the three of them further into the village till they reached a small pavilion with several other Loraks within.
“I greet you, great Thunder Paw Chief. I have brought the Imperials to you!” proclaimed Yillon in front of the group of Loraks who seemed dressed for war, in their little suits of armour and their little blades at their sides.
The chief of the Thunder Paws looked at the group and then back at Yillon, “very well, I will let you get away this time as you have been useful, but I thought I told you not to come back here Yillon.” The chief spoke in a grave tone.
“I only try to help the great Lorak cause,” Yillon said embarrassed of being reminded of his supposed exile.
“Now speak, what do you want?” the heavyset leader of the Loraks said.
“My name is Lyra Varyan, I come to speak to you in the name of the Emperor.”
“Let us hear what your little emperor has to say then.”
“The Emperor has been gracious enough to give your clans a warning before interceding. You are to cease all aggression against the southern tribes as they are under his imperial protection.”
“If he wants to negotiate with us, he should come here himself instead of sending some errand girl.”
Jack looked at Lyra who seemed to be growing taller with every moment and increasingly angry.
“If you will not cease, I have been advised to end this rebellion by other means.”
“Calm down, we are still talking, we can do this,” said Jack who was significantly less battle-ready than Lyra.
“I concur,” Glen said, “diplomacy is advised in this situation.”
“What’s this, girl, are the Emperor's warriors so quick to retract their words of challenge? I will send my warriors against you if you live we shall reconsider your words. Attack!” the Lorak leader screamed flailing his little body forwards.
Lyra drew her blade and readied herself for combat.
“I advise the use of firearms in this situation. They would be far more effective,” Glen’s robotic voice filled the pavilion.
“No need for guns, it would be unfair to use a gun against a bunch of swords, that would be impolite. Wouldn’t it, Jack?” Lyra said cracking her knuckles.
“I suppose it would,” he looked around at the approaching mice, “but sometimes survival is also important,” Jack seemed confused between politeness and survival but he was not left with enough time to think before the attack.
The five Loraks standing in front of the chief drew their wicked little cleavers, they were not much larger than kitchen knives but something told Jack they might be more dangerous. Jack drew his blade in response. Glen just stood there but his eyes started blinking red.
The Loraks dashed forward to strike first, but to Jack’s surprise, four of them were stopped by Lyra, who dashed forward herself with a great swing making all of the Loraks fall back. One of them managed to pass through and charged straight at Jack, it slashed once and Jack screamed as it cut through the black fabric of his pants. Another slash and another scream.
“Jack, the most appropriate course of action in this situation would be to defend yourself.” Glen’s robotic voice stated.
“Trust me! I am trying!” said Jack who was stepping back trying to stop the Lorak attack unsuccessfully.
“Perhaps succeeding would be more appropriate than trying.”
“Thanks for the tip, Glen!” said Jack who thought he was slowly getting the hang of this as he blocked a couple of strikes with his blade. He was bleeding from minor cuts all over, luckily nothing lethal had yet to occur. The only thing Jack could think about at the moment was, why was Glen just standing there and if he was struggling with one of them, then what was Lyra supposed to do?
As luck would have it, Jack did not have to wait for long to find the answer to his second question. One moment his opponent was in the air launching himself at him and the next the Lorak’s body flew straight to the side of the nearest building and the only thing left in his place was Lyra who had just kicked the Lorak through a wall. Something seemed different about her, for one she was smiling, which didn’t happen often unless she had a blood smoothie in the morning. Her teeth shone brightly and some of them had become pointy like little fangs, and her eyes seemed more focused than usual. All in all, she seemed scarier than usual with her bloody blade and pointed teeth.
“Well, then I have taken care of your little guards!” said the triumphant Lyra, “I expect you will cease your aggression now?”
The chief looked around himself and seeing his guard lying on the ground started nodding profusely.
“If that is all, then we shall go now, come along Jack!” said Lyra, “let’s get a drink when we are back at the ship!”
The three of them left the village leaving the confused chieftain behind. When Yillon rushed ahead of them stopping them in their tracks.
“Hold!” said the Yillon’s squeaky voice who was still sitting on his mount.
“What do you want now?” asked Lyra.
“I, the great Yillon have come to offer my services to you and your company!”
“Why would we accept? You were exiled already, it doesn’t speak well for you, oh great warrior," she responded.
“Do not make fun of me. I was exiled for I was too brave facing impossible odds, you should be honoured to have me with you!”
“C’mon let’s just let him come, the poor guy is left without a home,” said Jack
“Who are you calling, poor guy?” shouted Yillon, “I will have you for that!”
“Do you want to come or not?” said Lyra who glared at Yillon after his threat.
“Yes, ma’am,” said Yillon who bowed his head trying to avoid Lyra’s gaze.
“Come along then, and try to be quiet, you interrupted my conversation for the second time now.”
Yillon nodded and followed behind Glen towards the Black Bird.
“So… tell me more about this sunscreen, how does it work?"