The next few hours were busy with the Starcrushers and the Squackgobblers engaging in diplomacy. The Starcrushers gathered information on the Squackgobblers' culture and lives, and especially studied Squackgobblers' music, since their culture was supposed to possess the song with the greatest guitar solo in the entire universe.
Pinocchio's family, meanwhile, had little to do. Geppetto couldn't carve anything because all the trees were made of mongoose feathers, Figaro was terrified of the gigantic birds that were the Squackgobblers, and Pinocchio was still stunned that the insane planet he described actually existed, and very possibly did have the guitar solo the Starcrushers searched for so religiously. "Maybe they were right…" He said to himself at one point. "Maybe oak really is a wise wood… Maybe I really do know where to find the ultimate guitar solo… just… subconsciously…"
"Pinoc, this is a big universe." Jiminy said, "So big, in fact, that many scientists are convinced that it simply goes on forever. In all that space, there's guaranteed to be a planet matching your description purely due to probability! What I find remarkable is that the Starcrushers were able to find it as fast as they did. Where are we anyway? This planet, I mean. What galaxy is it in?"
"We are on the planet Yurillymaikmiwannaholla, orbiting the star named Imabitondapujjisaihd by the natives, near the center of the galaxy Nevvagonagivyuup—called Messier 86 by Earth astronomers—in the Godaihoapnobodysmellsmifart Region—called the Virgo Cluster by Earth astronomers." Said Twenty-Three, walking up to them.
"Wow," Pinocchio said, "you guys are really good."
"Thank you, young puppet and anthropomorphic cricket." Said Twenty-Three. "I've been assigned to a hut with you two. We're going to be spending at least a month on this planet, mingling with the natives. Commander Forthwith told me to tell you, young puppet, that we the Starcrushers can't thank you enough. Without the information you gave us, we never would have found this planet. I suspect we are closer than ever to finding the ultimate guitar solo."
"Well, you're welcome." Pinocchio said, unsure if he should ever tell them he just made this all up… assuming he did make it all up, that is.
They had been assigned a small hut at the edge of the village, Toopockisnotded along the banks of the Andneatheriskurt River. The Starcrushers had learned the Squackgobblers' basic society and culture pretty quickly. They were, compared to earth, at about early 20th century level, though they did have some higher technology, such as flat screen televisions, and unlimited texting plans. They were, however, mostly defenseless against off-planet based attacks such as Emperor Zurg, who has been trying to colonize them for years, and were only just able to fend off his attacks. Zurg wanted to mine their planet for linoleum, which was a rare resource in this particular galaxy.
The following morning, Commander Forthwith came to speak with the rest of the Starcrushers. "Crew, Hedlas Chikinrun and I have struck a deal: They will help us find the ultimate guitar solo, if we help defend them from Emperor Zurg, who it appears, is still at large. That ship we vaporized yesterday wasn't his command vessel. We will wage combat against Planet Z in order to keep the good Squackgobblers of Yurillymaikmiwannaholla free of tyranny and oppression. The one hundred men all saluted in unison, and Pinocchio put his hand up and said eagerly "And we volunteer too!"
"What are you doing, boy?" Geppetto said, panicked at being volunteered for combat against an evil space emperor.
"Very good." Commander Forthwith said. "We invade tomorrow before dawn…"