Chapter 4: Backwater Planet.
While Monger and the monsters were teaching Dragonis the 'finer points' of being a hero, in another part of the galaxy, a clandestine meeting was taking place.
"Are you certain the readings are correct?" asked a tall, furry alien sporting a uniform made of a silver cloth-like material and a gold crown-like headband holding back a thick, bright red mane.
Another alien, wearing a black uniform with a silver battle-helm, bowed to the other before speaking. "There can be no doubt, my lord. The planet is rich with organic life. All we would have to contend with are primitive technologies and pitiful defenses. Nothing that could stand up to even our most ancient of ships."
"How can you be so sure? We've had trouble with such weak looking planets in the past," the leader said, keeping his back to the soldier, his red furred hands clasped behind him.
The soldier rubbed his blue beard-like fur. "Lord Carnek, the planet is divided against itself. Our scouting probes have shown that the natives are quarrelsome and often fight with each other over the most trivial matters. Unlike with other inferior worlds, this one has no uniting force. They will be easily crushed by our superior might and unity."
"Perhaps. Perhaps not. If there is one thing I have learned, Corvel, it is that an outside alien threat, can often unite a planet more swiftly than anything else. However, this particular planet intrigues me. What of the natives, these, hairless apes?"
Corvel glanced down at a holographic readout on his vambrace. "Um, homo sapiens I believe is what they call themselves. More colloquial terminology would be humans. At any rate, they are actually quite weak in terms of physical strength for their size, though, they are also quite small. The average male only stands around two trecals and the average female stands a few mectacals shorter. The average litter is about one or two offspring per conception and the species is very promiscuous in most cases, though a few seem to mate for life.
"Despite being significantly weaker than most other species of their planet, the humans seem to be able to dominate and tame most of the creatures into their service. They are also the only species on the planet capable of creating technologies of any kind, despite their being greatly inferior to anything else in the galaxy. However, studies do seem to indicate that they are intelligent enough to where they could be trained for manual labor or, if nothing else, exotic pets."
"Exotic pets?" Lord Carnek's ears twitched at that.
"Um… yes. You see, they seem to be quite adaptable and dexterous with proper training and even have what they call 'entertainment professions'," Corvel replied.
"Hmm. Interesting. Very interesting. Yes, I believe this will work out quite nicely. Commander Corvel, tell Captain Sirok to set a course for Earth. The Balagon Slavers are back in business, starting with the rarest commodity in all the known galaxy. Humans," Lord Carnek turned to face the commander, a broad grin splitting his loin-like face.
Commander Corvel was about to comply, but an urgent message interrupted him. Tapping his helmet communicator, he looked back up at Lord Carnek. "Um… my lord… we just received some… complicating news. It seems that the Lirigondi have discovered Earth and have declared it a protected planet."
Lord Carnek's grin turned into a snarl as he slammed his fist down on his desk. "Those vile carther dung pracs! They and their, 'we must protect and preserve the rare species of the galaxy' make me sick! Set course anyway. They can't declare a planet full of dangerous, hostile creatures protected."
"Forgive the question, my lord, but how exactly does that help us? Our research indicates the humans are anything but dangerous."
"So, we'll just have to find some dangerous creatures on Earth."
"And if we don't?"
"Do I have to spell everything out for you? If we don't find any dangerous creatures, we'll just have to make some," Lord Carnek said, his golden eyes glowing with anger and frustration.
Commander Corvel got an 'ah-ha' look on his face and grinned. "I see. I think I can have the lab work something up."
The commander then left to carry out his orders, leaving a still angry, but quickly calming Carnek in his quarters. "You'd better tell the lab rats to whip up something good, or I'll have your head stuffed and mounted on my wall, Corvel. Mark my words. No one, tells Carnek, Lord of the Balagon Slavers what to do."
Author's Note: And now we get to the big baddies. Also, I have no idea what a trecal or mectacal is. I just made them up to have some form of alien measurements. Lastly, I should probably mention I went back and rewrote the first chapter, changing quite a few things and split it in half as I felt it was just too long.