Page 3 of Saving the Alien Chieftain

Krogoth smirks. “I promise no more prisons for you.”

The ship rumbles as it begins to decelerate. I notice the ship is hovering above a large open area with black marble ground, with a few Klendathians standing around like sentries. We’re in some kind of hanger area, but I can hardly wait to get out and explore more.

“We’re finally here! Oh, my god I’m actually on an alien planet,” I exclaim, my arms held aloft. My heart is pounding with excitement.

Krogoth smiles, taking my hand in his. “Be strong,” he says.

We stand before the ship’s docking hatch, waiting for the others to arrive. Krogoth paces around, casting glances down the corridor. The massive ship has always seemed quiet with its skeleton crew. But after so many losses during the Seeker Swarmand Glaseroids attacks, now it feels almost empty, like an eerie metal tomb. Every spoken word seems to reverberate through the vacant rooms and corridors. I’d never say it to Krogoth, but I can’t wait to get off this bleak spaceship and hopefully never return.

I glance at Krogoth, who looks more like himself now in his full armor. A much better look on him than his ridiculous purple tuxedo.

Suddenly, Krogoth interrupts my thoughts. “We’ve waited long enough,” he says as he punches in commands into the docking hatch console. “Standing here for an aeon, while my Pebbles is so close to seeing Klendathor.”

Before I can reply, the whirring sound of metal on metal accosts my ears as the hatch opens. Krogoth takes my slightly trembling hand in his and smiles.

“Come, Pebbles, time to show you around.”

Chapter 2

Roxanne

One small step

Itake a deepbreath, hoping to settle the growing butterflies forming a swarm in my stomach. A swoosh of air brushes past me as the door opens wider, allowing the air from the ship to rush out into the planet’s atmosphere.

I raise my hand to shield my eyes from the bright purple daylight streaming in through the open dock hatch.

The change in atmosphere is immediately apparent. Like stepping off a plane in a new country. Fresher than even back on Earth, it has a pleasant, clean feel to it, as if I’m standing atop a snow-capped mountain high away from city life.

The temperature is warm as I blink my eyes, enjoying the heat.Thankfully, we seem to have arrived around midday, judging by the massive purple sun hanging high in the sky. Its heat feelsgentler than Earth’s; otherwise, I'll be sporting a serious crispy sunburn at this proximity.

I trail after Krogoth, his hand warm and eager in mine, as we descend the ship’s metal ramp. As my eyes adjust to the brightness, I absorb as much of the surroundings as possible, hoping to orient myself. The vast hangar before us appears to be constructed from the same sleek black marble-like material as the ship’s interior, creating a seamless transition from spacecraft to docking facility.

In the distance, a breathtaking panorama unfolds before me. Beyond the gaping mouth of the hangar, a bustling market sprawls out, its stone-paved pathways winding through a mesmerizing cityscape, an intriguing blend of futuristic and traditional designs adorned with neon lights.

It’s strange to see something so alien yet also familiar as the shops are easily noticeable with their items on display and flashy advertisements. I feel the tension in my shoulders melt away, surrounded by something known amongst the unknown.

All manner of strange looking aliens passes by the entrance, some with strange head spikes, others with massive tusks, all wearing different styles of clothes. I hurry my pace towards the bustling marketplace, eager to see more.

Before the exit, two Klendathians with long gray hair stand guard clad in full armor. I slow down my pace as I approach, hoping they’re not here to stop us. They both eye me from top to bottom, before one of them turns to the other and mutters something I cannot hear. I hesitate for just a moment and I consider turning back towards the ship.

“Do not fear, Pebbles, they won’t stop us. They’ve just never seen a human before. Especially such a beautiful one,” he says, squeezing my hand.

“Thanks, I’m just a little nervous,” I reply, resuming my quick pace again.

“It is understandable, my tiny Pebbles. But just as this place is new to you, you are equally unfamiliar to everyone here. They’ve never encountered someone quite like you before,” Krogoth says as he nods at the two guards before us.

“Chieftain Krogoth!” the two guards say in unison, placing their right fists to their chest before bowing.

“At ease, warriors.” Krogoth waves his hand dismissively in their direction. “Any news?”

“Not much of note… Last I heard, the Nebian war has reached a stalemate. But I’m sure you’d know more about that than us,” the guard on the left answers quickly.

“The price of food has gone up. Apparently, it’s for the war effort. Voiding extortion, if you ask me,” the guard on the right says, folding his arms.

“Shut up, Garrick. The Chieftain doesn’t care about such trivial matters,” the guard on the left says, rounding on Garrick.

“How do you know he doesn’t—” Garrick says, raising his voice.

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