Explorers of the Universe

Chapter 21: Welcome to Zamaron; Homecoming

The Falcon

The Falcon was approaching the end of the Gravity Drive's tunnel as Rei announced, "T-minus 5 seconds till we reach our coordinates."

Everyone in the Bridge braced themselves as Rei counted down.

"5"

"4"

"3"

"2"

"1"

And soon The Falcon went out of Gravity Drive, as the ship finally slowed down with all the occupants sighing in relief.

Teo sighs, "Damn that's a relief."

Isaac sighed, as he slouched in his command chair, "That's good to hear."

Though Ernesto sighed, "Man... whoever said this mission was easy... find me a blunt object to knock myself out to stay out of it."

Jonie smirked as she nudged her boyfriend, "Relax, Ernesto. It wasn't that bad."

Though the ratboy Ragit looked all white, as he grimaced, "I thought... we were all gonna die."

Even Rosalie looked frantic, as she wheezed, while looking like death herself, "I think we would be if they pull crap like this all the time."

"I think we would have been if we pull crap like that just out of the blue," Adam replied. He then sighed, and asked, "Anyway, where are we now?"

Rei then answered, "According to the nav-computers and to Hilda's archives, we have approached a planet that seems to be orbiting a Red Sun... and has orbiting around it two green suns."

Isaac commanded, "Rei. Can you put up our location on the monitor?"

The ship was approaching a giant orange and red world, orbiting two red suns that shined brightly to warm the planet they were approaching.

"This is Alpha Prime," Gwen questioned looking at the screen. "I thought this planet was supposed to be more tech from what Sphere described."

"It is," Sphere stated, as he floated next to Gwen, observing the planet, but then stated, "This is not Alpha Prime. Though it is one of the planets that belongs to the Galactic Alliance of Alpha Prime."

Isaac got up from his seat, as he looked over on the railing… next to a nervous Kori, as he asked, "So what planet is this?"

"Planet Zamaron," Sphere replied.

DRU arched an eyebrow, as he retracted his finger tendrils from the controls, as they returned to fingers, and he asked, "Isn't this planet supposed to be the home world of the Zamaraneans?"

Jeff walked up behind Isaac and Kori, as he spooked them both, but mostly Kori, as he spoke up, "Kinda makes you wonder why we're here… or if this is just simple coincidence?"

Kori gulped a little, and turned to Isaac for support… only for her to pale, as she saw him looking at her suspiciously with an eyebrow arched to her. "Kori… is there something you'd like to tell us?"

She innocently and nervously chuckled, "Hehehe, I may have convinced Rei to change course… to go to my home?" Everyone looked at her, almost silently berating her and scowling at her.

DRU arched an eyebrow, as he looked to Rei, "Really? You just changed course on a whim?"

"It was either that, or I would have to be subjected to her singing an 8,000 verse song of Thankfulness," Rei replied in her Nav chamber.

"8,000?" Adam asks brow raised, "I enjoy a good opera as the next person, but that is too many verses for a song."

Getting a bad feeling about something he turned to Rei and asked in French, "Sœur pouvez-vous m'envoyer les données de numérisation de la planète à mon P.I.C.?"

Jeff arched an eyebrow hearing the language, as he asked, "Huh?"

"Oui, frère," Rei replied in French.

As Rei seemed to be busy with her duty, Gwen along with Tak, walked over and asked, "Adam, what did you ask her?"

"Hopefully putting my concerns to rest..." He said still staring at the planet as though something was wrong.

He then said to them, "Please do not let Kori know until I have all the data."

Gwen nodded to that, as Rei replied, "L'analyse est terminée. Mais je suis incapable de capter des formes de vie. Il semblerait que le rayonnement solaire de la planète jette les scanners."

"Je vois..." Adam said not liking this while still feeling something is wrong with what's going on Zamaron.

"Well, whatever it is, you might wanna tell the captain about the situation," Gwen replied, as she nudged to her cousin. "Because it's his call to make right now."

Adam nodded, "Duly noted." And then walked towards Isaac.

Tak arched an eyebrow, and asked, "What is it?"

Isaac looked to see Adam approach his right and asked, "What's up, Adam?"

Leaning in Adam said, whispering, "I believe there is something wrong with Zamaron... I tried to scan it with Rei's help but we couldn't get through the Solar Radiation emanating from the planet. I trust my instincts, especially after the Ishimura."

Kori though seemed happy, oblivious of their conversation, as Isaac sighed, "Maybe. But Kori needs this more than ever, and I did keep my promise."

He stood up as he announced, "Okay, due to the planet's suns, we're having a bit of trouble trying to get someone down there to talk. So we're gonna have to do it the hard way and make a landing."

"Good because we don't have any food left," Theo groaned.

Gwen blinked, "How is that even possible? We had enough food storage to last us a while."

Hilda thought on it, as she shrugged, "Well, don't look at me. I can't process food like that. Or even that fast."

BUUURRRRRRPPP!

Everyone turned to look at Vax... and Chunk. Vax replied, "I only had a small portion as not to eat everything."

Chunk sweat dropped, and then pointed at Vivian and Rosalie, "It was the New Order chicks here."

Everyone looked at him deadpanned, knowing full well that he did it, except for the humans, as Ben asked, "Why's everyone looking at him?"

"Because Gourmandeans have an endless appetite, and a stomach that's the equivalent to a black hole." Hilda answered.

Isaac blinked, and looked to Attea, who was nearby, "Is that true?"

The frog girl sighed, as she answered, "Unfortunately yes."

Jeff goes, staring at Chuck with a look of hunger before asking, "How about we eat Chuck instead? Since he ate our food..."

"I don't think we have to go to that extreme." Adam said, before noticing the look multiplying in Teo, Ben, and Ernesto, he then asked, to keep the idea of cannibalism out of the minds of the others, "So Ms. Andrz, how will your people greet us? I heard how you were when you met our captain and his crew."

Kori was a bit taken by that question, as they were all suggesting to land on her home world. A moment, and then she beamed with delight, with stars in her eyes and her fists wavering around with giddy glee, "Oh, they are very welcome. Especially when we arrive." But then she looked a little cautious as she implied, "Though I should warn you, my people are a bit... open, when it comes to relationships."

Teo and Ben looked over and asked, "Define... Open?"

Though it was obvious to everyone as to what was on their minds.

"Well, my people are very social," Kori explained, a bit embarrassed for some odd reason, as she explained, "Particularly the females. When they find someone that catches the fanciness, they take it as you would imply, a sport to win them."

Teo smirked, as he realized in his head, 'A planet where the females go after a guy or girl they wanna snuggle with? I'M IN!'

Ben thought the same thing, but more calm, 'Alright.'

Isaac and everyone else, minus Kori, seemed to figure out what was on their minds. Isaac sighed, "Okay then. Let's be careful and make sure we keep our pants and/or panties on while there. It's a simple drop-off and resupply."

Adam blushes at the thought along with the two single guys, while going over and asks, "Full armor, just in case?"

Isaac nodded, "Full Armor."

DRU nodded, "Preparing to approach and land on Planet Zamaron."

Vivian got ot the 2nd pilot seat, as she nodded, "Let's go in for a smooth landing then."

And with that hte Falcon began to move again, heading to the orange and green world, unaware of what they would discover on the planet.

While they fly closer and through into the atmosphere, Isaac's smile became hollow while it seems like he is regretting something. And this was noticeable by Gwen, Misty, Adam, and Cloud as the Falcon kept flying down until they reached the ground.

Being the one to step forward on it, Cloud teleported near Isaac, now in his male form, as he looked to see Kori flying around happily, "Something on your mind, captain?"

"I guess," Isaac sighed, talking low enough for Kori not to hear him, as he explained. "I figured the trip or journey to find Kori's home would have been... longer."

Cloud deduced as he replied, "You wanted to spend more time with Kori, didn't you?" He figured that would have been the case, as from what he learned from Gwen in their talks, Kori seemed to be the only girl that Isaac was rather comfortable being around. Who didn't make him feel small and insignificant, or bullied him. She might have been the only female that could make him feel that.

Meanwhile
Near the orbit of Blue Moon, Khronan is interrogating the pirates and the Ctarlplexians. And the only thing that could be heard was a scream akin to bloody murder as Khronan had broken one pirate that he had been interrogating so much that he looked like a broken doll. The captain Shank gritted his teeth as he thought, 'So this is how the thirteen do things... I thought it was just a rumor...'

The pirate screamed, as he floated in the air, "I don't know! I don't know anything! Please just kill me now!"

Khronan dropped him as he chuckles, "Heh-hehe, wouldn't dream of it. That would be rude."

A soldier approached and saluted, "Lord Khronan! Lord Ernest has arrived they are escorting him here now."

At the moment that was said, a new figure appeared. It was a gigantic humanoid werewolf with dark and gray fur, four long claws for its hands and three on its feet, two in front and one in back, a fluffly tail, sharp red eyes and ears, athletically build with powerful arms and strong legs, wearing a black unitard, red shoulder armor and forearm guards, red ankle guards, and a red belt.

He didn't say much but didn't need to, as Khronan smirked, "Dinner, brother."

Ernest didn't say much but he did walk towards the still twitching body. As the pirate looked up to see the little Bowen and stared down at him earn his just growled with his teeth bared and it's lips drooling with anticipation. And then suddenly he growled and lunged right at the Pirates was only he sounds of flesh being chopped and torn and the pirate gurgling screams. The pirates and the Ctarlplexians looked in terror, while Khronan smiled at the savagery of his fellow Thirteen.

While Ernest eats the officer approached and asked, in a whisper, "Lord Khronan, I thought we need prisoners to interrogate, what will stop Lord Ernest from going into a hunger frenzy as he sometimes get when he feasts?"

Khronan chuckled, reassuring his subordinate, "Don't worry. This is just a snack for him. And this is a scare tactic."

A pirate panicking shouted, "We don't know anything about that ship! All we wanted was the Zamaranean that they had with them! Just don't kill us!"

Khronan was a bit surprised but then grew a smirk. "Well, that's all we needed to know." He then looked to the guards as he ordered, "Escort their captain to the maximum security brig. He'll be taken to the Gulag. He's still a wanted criminal." And the guards did so as he disappeared from sight.

One of the guards asked, "And the rest?"

"Put them in the airlock chamber," Khronan smirked. Causing the captives to pale worse.

"You said you'd let us go!" A Pirate shouted, horrified by this.

Khronan sighed as he groaned, "You'll be fine."

But then shrugged, "But when we take off, then of course was jettison and you and the vacuum of space when you're dying instantly."

The Pirates and the Ctarlplexians all paled as they heard that.

"What about the Ambassador and her crew aboard their ship, my lord?" the other guard replied.

"Tell them they're free to go, but those that we have here will be taken care of," Khronan replied. Though he finished, "Tell them they can pick up their crewmates as we send them out. Heh-heh-heh-he-he."

Back on Zamaron
The Falcon lands as Rei announced, "We've landed on Zamaron's surface, atmospheric conditions are green. You may exit the ship whenever you wish."

The door hissed out, as they all stepped out to get a good view of the area around them.

The area was clean and beautiful; fresh air breezed in with cool temperatures. Nature seemed similar to Earth's as the green flora grew wild and lively. No deforestation seen at all. The buildings were of a Greek design with hints of technological signs. The skies seemed a bit reddish orange, probably due to the sun and atmosphere. All in all, the planet seemed okay.

Everyone from earth stared while Adam went and wiped a tear from his eye, "If only Earth was as beautiful as this place."

Issac asks, "So this is your home Kori?"

Kori suddenly flew out of the ship, as she flew around like a shooting star, or more like Tinker Bell from Disney. Until she spiraled upward, spinning, until she was high on the air, as she smiled, and laughed. "My home! It is still as glorious as ever!"

Isaac smiled, "Looks like she'll be happy again."

"It's be a long time since she was last here, so of course she'd be happy." Jeff said before saying, "Can't believe how beautiful this place is."

He then glanced over worried if Gwen thought he was thinking that it was more beautiful than she was.

Jeff then joked, as he nudged her, "If we stay in a room that's private, wanna play Adam and Eve?"

Isaac sighed, "I'm right here."

Adam, hearing his name asks, his head tilted confused, "Did you say my name?"

Both blushed, as they both replied, "Oh, nothing!"

Kori flew back, as she stopped fast in front of Isaac, as she smiled, "Isaac?"

A bit leaned back by the sudden rush, he smiled, "Yeah?"

"Thank you for this," she whispered enough to let him hear her.

Isaac smiled back, "Well, alright hten."

She then gently but joyfully took his hands, as she pulled him with her, "Come, I wish to show you all around. And I would like you, Isaac, to be the first in the meeting of my parents."

Adam lagged behind as he said to Jeff and Gwen, "I still have a bad feeling about this..."

Almost like he's quoting the late 20th century movie that made that line.

Later On
Kori led the others through the town, as she joyfully and happily had Isaac on her side, though Vivian tried to keep up with them. Misty, on the other hand, looked rather perturbed for some odd reason as Isaac was closer to Kori. But as they traveled through, Ragit was eyeballing everything, as he walked over to Adam.

"And here is the shopping district. It is quite possible that this is a holiday," Kori replied.

Isaac smiled, "Very nice."

Kori beamed, "You like it?" Isaac nodded, as Kori hugged him, "Oooh, glorious."

In the back of the group, Adam kept moving away from Ragit, due to his preference for Felines instead of rodents before asking, "Is there a reason why you're getting close to me rodent?"

"Seeing as how you're the only level-headed guy around here, I wanted to ask," Ragit asked quietly. "Have you noticed there ain't nobody around?"

"Hoping to pickpocket from someone?" Adam asked before stating, seriously, "I've noticed a lack of presence for the populace... especially from orbit. Which has not happened before until Aegis VII."

He then asks, "Has anyone else noticed what we have?"

"Attea's no stranger in this, so she's aware of it. Vax is a natural born warrior, so he's secretly on edge on all this," Ragit explained.

Then jabbed his finger into Adam's side, like poking a guy who was too thick headed, "And I ain't interested in pickpocketing someone that could bench press two ships and look sweet and innocent on it. I'm a bit worried since I've got this feeling like a rat about to abandon ship." His ear then twitched, "You also hear that?"

Adam blinked, as he answered, knowing what Ragit was asking, "I do not hear anything."

"Exactly," Ragit replied. "There's no birds. No animals. Nothin'."

Adam remained silent before saying, "We may need to investigate, but if this is the worse case scenario that I think it is, you should stay with the others while I investigate."

"You mean while our resident Zamaranean is trying ta get to a home run with the human captain," Ragit asked.

Seeing Adam's expression remained unchanged, Ragit then stated, "Oh, come on. Am I the only one who notices she's trying to snug up with Isaac? She's probably trying to ask him next to stay with her."

"I noticed when I met them." Adam said before explaining, "Because of how his parents were looking for beings from other planets as well as a theory that humans on earth were created by an extraterrestrial, he became a target of their hatred and despise as though they were members of that cult on our planet. That worship the Creators and their monoliths. She is probably the only female in general who treated him like his cousin. So I support their relationship."

"And what if she tries and makes or convinces him to stay here with her? Who's gonna captain the ship," Ragit asked.

"We did not have a chain of command when we left, so we have no idea. But in my opinion, experience should lead." He said as they walked.

"In other words, you wanna lead and leave Isaac behind."

Both turned around to see Misty frowning, as she asked, with her arms folded, "Is that what's gonna happen?"

"It's better if he stays with someone who loves him then force him to lead and suffer if we run into more monoliths and the creators." He then added coldly, "Especially since most of his life people made him feel unworthy of living, present company included."

He added the last part aimed at Misty.

"Well, screw what happened in the past, I'm concerned about now," Misty replied. "Back on the Ishimura, Isaa... I mean, Shepard's one heck of a leader. Seeing as how he...""

"Friend Misty," Kori flew over, dragging a haphazard Isaac with her, as she grabbed her hand, and giggled, "Come, we are nearing the Forge. I think you might like it."

And then suddenly flew off taking both humans with her, while Misty groaned, "Dammit!"

Ragit arched an eyebrow, "Methinks Kori might be bisexual."

"Never make assumptions. Otherwise you'll be putting your foot in your mouth." Adam told him before leaving to investigate the surrounding area.

At the Forge

Indeed Misty was excited to see the place. Apparently it was a local blacksmith area, but looked more like it was a jeweler's station. Though Misty seemed more intrigued with the detail and craftsmanship of the work before her as she held and marveled at what Kori described to be a leg brace used for adornment. Even DRU was astounded by the craftsmanship of the work and its station.

Though Kori seemed a bit confused, even though her smile didn't fade from her face, "Odd. There should at least be a few people even working here."

"Kori. Are you sure..."

"Perhaps we should contine onward to my home," Kori implied. "It must be a holiday and my parents must be having a meeting or it is the time of Blorthjog, the Day of Friendhip Celebratory." She nudged Isaac, "It is a very joyous holiday to celebrate friendships and bonds."

Isaac sympathetically smiled, but stated, "Kori. You shouldn't get too excited about all this. I mean, some of the aliens we've met while here, including what that douche Genus said back on Aegis..."

"Wait. What are you saying, Isaac," Kori asked, not liking what he was insinuating.

Isaac took a deep breath, as he said, "I'm just thinking of the possibility that your people... might have been killed by the Creators six years ago."

"LIES," Kori screamed out in Isaac's face, causing everyone to turn to their direction, as Kori looked offended and angered by what he thought as a possibility, "Even though I have said that my people are welcoming and open, the Zamaraneans are also fierce and capable warriors. Besides, the Creators need bodies to infect to change into the Xenecromorphs. My people are not as easily defeated as you would believe."

Isaac was about ot say something, while Gwen walked up and asked, "Kori. Why don't you show us your home."

Kori's angered face disappeared, as she became happy again, "Of course, Gwendolyn. I shall lead onward to the dwelling that is my home." And then frowned at Isaac, "Which I know is still standing." And then led onward.

Isaac sighed, as he looked ot Jeff who walked up, "I screwed up, didn't I?"

"Well, she has been gone for 6 years," Jeff defended. "Maybe they really are at some fancy celebration."

As everyone walked towards following after Kori, nobody bothered to look inside the homes. Inside... there were hafl-torn rotted bodies and corpses... and strange but familiar glyph writings on teh walls.

Meanwhile
Back at Blue Moon
On the Tehoni, Aisa was getting chewed out by her superior for what happened, especially in some of her crew being taken and possibly killed by Khronan of The New Order and a member of the Order's member's elite generals.

"This is a serious disgrace, Asia Erisa! The report from yer SIC said that you had someone with Gravity Drive Technology in your sights and you let em get away like a Sleazoidian caught in the act! What-the-matter with ya! And you picked a fight with Khronan of the Thirteen from The New Order!?"

Asia winced at this as she shouted, "But governor Simbason! I didn't pick a fight with Khronan! He started shooting us for no damn reason!"

Her SIC asked, "You do know that's a recording right, Lady Asia?"

The governor roared, "LET ME TELL YA SOMETING ELSE ASIA!"

That made Asia stop and stand at attention as the governor continued, "This offense and the loss of our soldiers is so great that your rank as ambassador of the Ctarlplexian empire is stripped! You're gonna stay on Blue Moon as a resident officer until you find useful information about the Creators as well as that ship's connection to them! IS THAT UNDERSTOOD!?"

Asia went pale as she pleaded, "Governor! Please don't! I'm telling you I didn't start the fight or know that ship had anything to do with the Creators!"

"I told you it's a recording, he can't hear you." Her SIC said, smugly.

The Governor then ordered, "All right ya kittens! The Tehoni will find that ship and capture it for our empire before The New Order does, is that understood!"

The communications cut at that moment while Asia screamed, "SCREW THIS, SHIT-NERD!"

"Hey, don't talk back to the pre-recording of your people's governor!" the recording replied.

Aisa blinked, as she asked, "Wait. Is this a recording or live?"

However everyone around her started to cheer and chant, "Leave port!" Over and over again while her SIC walked to the captain's chair with a smirk.

Planet Zamaron
The Zamaranean Palace

Kori was leading the others to the palace, her home, all the while Theo and Misty, along with Jonie were getting very hungry while Teo groaned, "Can we eat something? Because of the bottomless pit I'm hungry..."

Chunk groaned as well, "Me too."

Misty glared and muttered, "You lose rights to complain after eating everything... Pozo sin fondo..."

"Well, here we are," Kori smiled as she showed them the royal palace. "The royal palace of the ruling Zamaranean family of the Zurta province. And my home."

JOnie then asks, "When do we eat?"

"What is wrong with you guys? WE're on another planet. This is the biggest thing in human history," Gwen shot out.

Jeff shrugged, "We were on Aegis 7. That's basically an alien planet before this."

Isaac blinked, "Are we gonna ignore the fact that Kori just said this was her home? The palace?!" He then looked to Kori and asked, "You live here? Like a servant?"

Kori blushed as she stated, "Oh, um... I may have left out that I am the 2nd princess of the royal family. And next in line for the throne?"

"Seriously," Isaac asked to be certain of what he heard.

Attea walked up and stood next to her, as she replied, "Yeah, me and Kori here met on diplomatic meetings with our parents. She'd often play with kids like me during them times."

"Am I the only one that didn't know she was a princess," Isaac asked, earning a whole lot of nods and yeses from those around him, even his own cousin.

Kori looked worried, as she walked over, twiddling her fingers as she asked Isaac innocently, "Is that... bad, Isaac? I did not wish to upset you."

Realizing this, Isaac snapped out of it, as he replied, "Oh no. I'm just... surprised. And honestly, you never told me. Why not?"

"Did you think I was just calling her princess because her physical beauty was on par with one?" Adam's voice asked as they saw him leaning against the wall with his arms crossed.

Isaac narrowed his eyes annoyed and asked, "How did you know?"

"She told me." Adam answered as he approached the group.

Isaac blinked, "Huh?" But then he looked to Kori and asked, "Why didnt you tell me?"

"I did not believe you asked." She said sheepishly.

Before grabbing his arm and said, "Come allow me to give you the tour of the palace."

And pulled him along. Inside, it was a palace similar to the animated 1992 Beauty and the Beast film and 2017 live action. It was grand and amazing. Though as Kori continued to look around, despite the smile, her eyes showed worry, as she asked herself, "I do not understand. Where is everyone?"

Seeing how worried Kori was, Misty sigh before she goes up and asks, "So... you Zamaraneans got any sports to play?"

Kori immediately lit up as she grabbed her hand, as well as Isaac's, as she beamed back to normal, "Oh yes! Follow me!" And then flew off with the two yelping.

Outside, near the edge of the palace, was a combat arena held up by a platform, as Kori explained, "This is the gaming arena. Though it is more of use for practice. We use this for combat games of the sports-like. And at times, we also use this to compete for mates during our mating seasonal rituals."

Isaac frozen and asked, "Mating Seasonal Rituals?"

Kori smiled as she blushed, "Yes. Our culture permits one to have as many mates, so long as the feelings are mutual. But at times, there are arranged marriages to nobles to ensure... strong bloodlines."

Adam then went and pushed Misty forward as he said, "I believe Misty would like to know how to play, just in case she finds a man she wants to make into her mate."

Misty blushed, "S-Say what?"

Kori blushed, as she smiled, "Oh yes, I would love to show you, Misty." Kori then pulled her into the arena as that happened.

Isaac walked over to him and asked, "Was that a way of teasing her? Because if it is, I so enjoyed that."

"Call it justifiable revenge." Adam said with a smirk before saying, in a serious tone, "But there's something I want to show you... while everyone is busy with Misty and Kori's game."

Isaac arched an eyebrow, as Sphere flew over to them, "What is it, Adam?"

"You'll believe me if I show you." He then leads them away as he turned and showed them a corpse, not just any corpse a Xenecromorph corpse.

Isaac's surprise was shown with a shocked but calm expression, but also a small gasp, as he looked to Adam, "How'd we miss this?"

"Because they were all dead, in majority of the buildings and some sort of underground place where most of them were in hibernation until, I theorize, when Nazira was destroyed." Adam said bringing up the monolith that they had destroyed. Isaac wouldn't be forgetting that Monolith anytime soon.

He then said, "I also found a few Zamaraneans, they are dead too but not changed like these monsters. Most likely they were cocooning the corpses they gathered so that when their queen and life source returned they could convert them as well, but we got in the way of their plans."

At that moment, Gwen and Attea walked over as Gwen asked, "Hey, what are you two doing...?" But then stopped as she paled to see an old-fashioned Slasher Xenecromorph.

Though Attea was a bit freaked out, "What the...? What is that thing?"

"A Xenecromorph," Gwen replied. "We've had a few run-ins with these things. But if they're here..."

"They're all dead... I checked." Adam assured her as he explained, "These Xenecromorphs were most likely linked to Nazira, the monolith we destroyed on Aegis VII."

Gwen blinked, as she stated, "We have to tell Kori. Now." Isaac nearly flinched at this, as she called out, "Kori, we need you over here."

They waited while Isaac he had to get the Xenecromorph corpse away before Gwen and Kori came back. Using his Kinesis Module, Isaac threw it far away from sight, as Kori arrived, with Isaac whipping around innocently, as she blinked, "What is it?"

"We were wondering if you'd show us more around the palace." Isaac asked, "Maybe even see a family portrait?"

"Oh yes. I almost forgot I wanted you to meet my parents, Isaac." Kori smiled as she flew to gather the others to lead on.

Though Adam, Gwen, Attea, and even Sphere looked at him as Isaac asked, "What?"

Adam glared behind his shades and said, "You know what you did..."

Gwen went and dragged the body back into sight as she pointed out, "You're trying to protect Kori on the possibility of her being hurt if..."

He stopped not needing to say anything else as it was plain on what might happen if Kori found the bodies of her people.

Isaac shook his head, as he explained his actions, "Look, believe me, I wanna tell her, but... I..."

He huffed, "She's been a prisoner for six years by those subterranean monsters. And then after all this time, I just wanna keep her from the truth long enough. I don't wanna have her heart broken."

"No one is questioning your reasoning, Isaac, but the truth is better than having her live in a fantasy and find out the hard way about what happened." Adam said, as if speaking from experience.

"And friends! Please, follow me to the throne room," Kori called out. "I wish to show you who have a portrait of my family."

Attea looked confused and asks, "Wat de grobax ar ya talkin 'bout?"

Kori giggles, "You shall see."

They walked after her while Misty came over with Jeff, she whispered to Gwen, "What's going on?"

Isaac had his back turned as he walked off, saying simply, "It's nothing right now."

They soon arrive at the main throne room as Kori leads them to a portrait of a powerfully built male Zamaranean with a beautiful female Zamaranean dressed as a Greecean King and Queen while before them were two young ladies, one of them had black hair with purple eyes while the other appears to be a 10 year old Kori smiling out for all to see. And next to her was an eight year old Zamaranean boy with short orange red hair.

Gwen noticed and asks, "Who's this Kori?"

"This is my family," Kori explained. "My parents. My older sister, Komi. And our little brother, Kai."

"They look lovely..." Isaac said, now knowing that he can't tell Kori about the Xenecromorphs.

"Yes. Another day has gone by in which I wish to be reunited with them all." Kori smiled. But then grew a bit concerned as she asked, "Where is everyone?"

Adam approached and asks, curious, "What can you tell us about your parents?"

Kori lit up as she explained showcasing the picture, "My father is a proud warrior, even when he was my age. And my mother was an amazing diplomat. The people realized both would make excellent leaders as each helped the other. When Komi was born, everyone felt that the planet would be in good hands. But for them it became better when I was born, and they made me the future successor to the throne."

"Wait, I don't get it," Kera asked. "How can you be in line for the throne when you have an older sister?"

"My sister is dear to me, but she has issues with the personality, as my mother put it," Kori replied.

Adam would look at the two parents, almost as though he was envious of Kori. Jeff noticed something in the portrait and asks, pointing at the hammer, "What's that?"

Kori looked over to it and flew over to it. It was a grey metallic Norwegian-like hammer with a single handle, with a sun-like symbol on it, as she landed, "Oh, this is the Starbreaker. A sacred relic of our people. It was forged in the heat of a dying sun, but modeled from our goddess, X'hal. Though from what most people thought, she was one of the ancient Titans that visited our universe. It is said that wielding the Hammer is wielding the power of the titan that forged it."

Gwen blinks and asks, "By Titan do you mean..."

Kori looked up to the stain-glass window in front of the hammer... of a giant fiery woman who seemed to resemble her in beauty and mystique, as Kori explained, "I do not know. No one has an answer. But what we do know is that they had existed before the Creators. It was said... they were the ones who made them."

Isaac looked and asked, "Is it here?"

Kori pointed at it on the pedestal, "It is right there. It is all there to see but to never touch. My Sister Komi tried to do it, though was scolded when she playfully touched it."

"I am not..." Kori began, though also stated, "But X'hal also blessed my people with the Codex. Though no one knows what it was or what it looks like. But what we do know is that it gives back life to the dying."

But then they heard skittering, as Kori gasped at that sound.

Everyone turned to see where it was coming from. It was at the opened palace door, in which a lingering and growing shadow was heading towards them. Everyone went to areas to hide or get ready to fight, as the skittering sounds had gotten closer, and closer. Until finally, it neared the door. Though oddly enough, the shadow had shrunk, and the source of the sound was revealed to them all.

Amazingly... it was a moth-like creature the size of a kitten with a pinkish hue on its body, a big fuzzy collar of fur around its neck, with big pinkish dark eyes and two fuzzy antenna sticking atop its head, and small little legs that ranged around eight legs and a small pincer on its butt. It let out a cute gurgle.

Kori seemed to beam with delight, as she squealed, "It is a Peturian Larveninte. They are considered as the most adorable of pets on my world."

Everyone who was hungry stared as Teo exclaimed, "I don't care what it is, I wanna eat it!"

"Not if I get it first!" Chuck shouted as he went to get the Larveninte.

When those words echoed, the little Larvenite freaked out and squealed, as it ran out of there, despite having such tiny legs, but bolted very fast out of there.

They went after it to try and eat it as Kori exclaimed, "Stop! I will be the one to keep it as a pet!"

She then flew after the Larveninte before the human and the Gourmandian.

Chunk opened his mouth as he shot out three tentacle-like frog tongues that reached out as he called out, "I'M HAVIN' CRAWLER TONIGHT!"

The little Larvenite turned around and spewed out silk thread that tied up the two, as it suddenly teleported in a flash of pink light, as Isaac blinked, "It can teleport!?"

"That is one of the reasons why it is hard to keep as a pet," Kori replied.

Cloud in his male form shot forth, "I'll find it!" And ported out of there.

Though Kori flew out, "No! I shall!"

Jeff turned and asked, "Now what do we do?" Most of the others just shrugged. But Isaac, getting worried about what he discovered went to follow Kori. "I'm gonna follow Kori to make sure she doesn't get lost," Isaac stated, as he bolted after her, using his boosters.

Though internally, he was worried, 'That... and I don't want her to find out... yet.'

Outside

"Get back here you Giant caterpillar!" Teo shouted as he dove for the Larveninte only for him to be grabbed by Chuck's tongues and pulled away as he said, "That crawler's mine!"

He jumped up and tried to swallow it whole, only for Teo to grab him by his short legs and held him far enough away for the Larveninte to not get grabbed before Teo shouted, "Don't even think about it, save some for your crewmate!"

Before slamming him to the ground and charged at the caterpillar.

The caterpillar teleported again, but this time, ported the two into a cramped bathroom. The two struggled to get out all while the little Larvenite disappeared.

Elsewhere

Kori was looking for the little critter, not knowing where it had went. Kori floated back and forth, as she was floating to where it was supposedly an airway for ships.

She called out very softly, "Here, Little One... here, Little one... Your k'norfka wishes to locate you."

Kori walked up to around a corner in a smile to find her newfound pet. However, her smile faded as she turned the corner, and suddenly took a sharp breath in shock along with her eyes widened in shock. All around the airway of ships, there were several severed or scorched Xenecromorph Spitters and Slashers lying on the ground, some in some ships that had been torn apart by many more Xenecromorph bodies.

Kori walked through the bodies, looking around, and spoke in a shocked state, "Xenecromorphs? They were… here?" her saddened and shocked expression only grew worse when she came close to a sight she wished she didn't find out.

Cornered by dozens of Xenecromorphs were two bodies that stood their ground to the very end. The skeletons were both a male and female laying together in each other's embrace, possibly after the throw down battle. But both were adorn in royal attire, and the female's hair was oddly familiar including both their clothes. Kori stared in disbelief at the skeletons, as she suddenly realized the truth of who they were.

"Mother… Father…." She finally said, sounding and looking very devastated.

She visibly fell to her knees as she almost came close to covering her face in devastation, her eyes beginning to water. Though at that moment, Isaac managed to pop up and look around.

"Kori! You find the little critter yet? You might wanna hurry before Teo and Chunk…" he said, as he turned the corner, but saw the bodies of the Xenecromorphs, and Kori kneeling down, cupping her hands with her face.

"Oh no," Isaac whispered, as he walked towards her, through the pile of the Xenecromorphs. Once he was close enough, he saw the bodies in front of her, which he realized were her parents, as he recognized their outfits.

"Kori," he softly spoke to her, as he tried to reach out.

But she shot her head up, as tears streamed down her eyes, as she cried out, echoing all over, as everyone stopped what they did to realize the situation. Kori had found the truth out.

Later that Night
Royal Palace
Everyone was inside the emptied palace, as the two green suns floated in the night, illuminating only a moonlight aura, as everyone was in the throne room, minus Kori. After getting the story from Attea's crew and finding out that Isaac knew from what the mechanic told him back in Blue Moon, she was not happy. Everyone was in the throne room as Gwen asked, "So let me see if I got this straight..."

She turned and looked at Attea's crew, and Isaac, before asking angrily, "You all knew what happened to Kori's people and thought it was best to not tell us or her?"

"No, I wasn't trying to keep it from her. Forever," Isaac defended as he explained. "I just... I didn't know how to tell her without causing this."

Gwen wasn't happy, she hasn't been since she was told the whole story but she said, "Isaac, how you did it was not the right way. Because, when you chose to not tell her about the Xenecromorph corpse we found that wasn't helping her it was just making things worse for her in the end."

She then said, "I know you had your heart in the right place but did this really seem like it helped her? Especially after what happened to your…"

Isaac shot up, as he yelled, "I WASN'T THINKING, ALRIGHT?! I WAS CONCERNED ABOUT HER HAPPINESS!"

Gwen jumped back a bit from his explosion, but said, "Well it didn't work."

"ENOUGH!" Adam snapped his voice sounded cold when he snapped. Those there froze or were shocked he lost control like that while the new comers were surprised that Adam got angry and then finally calmed down, "None of that matters right now."

Before he suggested, "What should we do about Ms. And'rz now since she's much like ourselves right now?"

Jeff looked to Isaac and then to Gwen. It was hard to side with whom on this. Until Misty spoke up to Isaac, "Hey, Sheepy. Go and help her out."

Adam went and placed a comforting hand on Isaac's shoulder, "I agree. Considering your connection with her, she might need to be near someone she trusts completely."

Misty looked between them and asked, annoyed, "What connection?"

Ben walked up and pushed Isaac to go, "Go and give that girl a comfort hug or something."

Attea frog kicked him suddenly, "Just go already, will ya?"

Isaac looked around before he decided it was best. Isaac, though still angry with what had happened, went to comfort Kori.

Sphere looked around at the moment, but then looked at teh hammer altar, as he examined it. For a moment, he scanned, and then blinked, "My goodness."

After many stairs, Isaac finally reached the top of the palace while looking for Kori to inform her that Sphere was close to accessing the palace's database. He looked around to see what seemed to be a bedroom of sorts with the remains of a large bed and dressers all over. 'Looks like the royal bed room' Isaac thought to himself while observing the room. As he started walking through looking for Kori, the room to confirm his suspicion. 'This might be her room, which means she may be close.'

He then heard quiet sobbing coming from a little deeper in as he looked up knowing who it must be. Isaac placed the picture on the bed and headed in the direction of the sound which led him to an open balcony.

Outside, Isaac saw a view of the city that looked like it could see most of the land from it. He was awestruck by the view, but tore away, as he saw Kori on the floor with her arms wrapped around her legs and her head resting on her knees. Isaac couldn't see her face, but he could hear her sobbing to herself with tears rolling down her cheeks.

'I'm all alone, the last of my kind,' she thought, as the tears started to come a little faster at that bit of info, 'I have to do something. I cannot allow my kind to end with just me.'

"Kori," Isaac spoke up as he then waited for a response. But she didn't say anything. He walked over to her and sat next to her, as he tried to get her mind off of what had transpired, "It's a very nice view of city."

He then looked around, and back to her. "Is this your room?"

Isaac asked in an attempt to start small talk to help get her mind off things to no avail. He sighed, knowing that it wasn't working, "Kori, I came up here to tell you that Sphere has almost- WHOA!"

Isaac was suddenly jumped by Kori, who grabbed him and pushed him on the ground, pinning him down leading to him having a shocked look on his face.

"Isaac. Please copulate with me," Kori asked with a scared yet determined expression as she almost begged Isaac to honor her request.

Isaac blushed at that, as he asked, "Ah, wha…?"

"Mate with me," She clarified, as she began to strip her clothes off while Isaac continued to look both freaked out and confused, even as she allowed her bare chest to be seen by him.

"Kori, wait a minute," he started to say, but noticed the look of desperation and fear in her eyes.

"Do not worry, Isaac. Sphere informed me that that the Earthling and Zamaranean reproductive systems are quite identical. So neither of us will suffer from any ill effects from us copulating with each other. And you will be able to give me a child to keep the Zamaraneans from going extinct," Kori explained as she went to remove his armor and shirt. He tried to fight back, but Kori's strength and determination proved his efforts were futile.

'Urgh… Sphere. When I get my hands on him, I'll use him as a bowling ball, and then clean him in a dirty bag used for cleaning bowling balls!' After his shirt was torn off, Isaac struggled to hold her arms to prevent her from removing his pants while being embarrassed by her bare chest, "Kori, this won't help anything though!"

"Yes it will, Isaac," Kori stated, as she continued to finish stripping Isaac down. "My species can live on, it will not go extinct. I will no longer be alone! Please, allow me this!"

Just as she was about to reach his pants, Isaac jumped up, and held Kori in a deep hug which caught her off guard. "I know you're scared right now. You came back home hoping that nothing had changed and that everyone would be here. I felt the same way when I saw the remains of the Prometheus when I came looking for my parents. But doing this won't help anything," Isaac said while Kori took that in as she calmed down a bit.

He pulled away to look at her with a neutral yet sympathetic expression on his face, "Deep down, I think you know that too."

Kori stared at him as she started to cry again. "But, this is the only way. Everyone is gone, I am the last one! I cannot let it end like this," she said as her face became one that showed pain and sorrow all over it.

"That may not be true. Some of the Zamaranians might have escaped," Isaac attempts to give her what little hope there may be as he continues, "You were there for me when my dad was killed, now I'm going to be here for you, but this won't help the planet."

Kori began to break down again as she looked down at the ground and continued to cry more. "I just... I feel so alone," she said as the ground became wet with her tears.

Isaac pulled her back into a hug as her tears rolled down his face, "You're not alone. You have everyone on the ship who knows the pain you're feeling right now." Kori gained confusion in her eyes as the tears continue to fall. "Gwen and I lost our parents, Jeff lost his mentor and father figure, Rei saw her creator killed before her eyes, Sphere can't remember his past, and DRU is the only one of his kind," Isaac explained to Kori, who listened and to her surprise, felt tears dropping on her and realized that Isaac was crying from remember his pain. "Everyone on this ship feels the overwhelming weight of being alone in this big universe, but we all have each other. We're all part of a crew and a new family that supports each other through this pain. So as long as you're with us, you don't have to feel alone anymore," Isaac started to sob a bit as well while Kori buried her head in Isaac's shoulders and continued to cry.

Isaac held her tightly and could hear her say, "I am sorry, I am so sorry."

"It's all right. Let it all out," Isaac told her as they sat quietly for a few minutes.

When Kori's tears stopped flowing down his chest, Isaac pulled her away to look her in the eye, "I promise you, if there are any other Zamaraneans out there, we'll find them."

Kori looked into Isaac's eyes as they were red from the tears as well, but she also saw them shine with determination to make good with his promise, and sympathy for her. This caused Kori's eyes to shine with happiness again as she made a small smile, "Thank you."

As the two stare into each other's eyes to the point where they can see each other in them, they start to draw close to each other again to the point of kissing each other again.

'I have never felt like this before; I have never thought I could feel like this,' Kori thinks to herself as they get closer.

'I can't stop, but at the same time, I don't want to,' Isaac thinks as well, and just as they are mere inches away from kissing...

"Isaac, Kori! Sphere has successfully accessed the data base and-," Isaac and Kori snap out of it at the sound of the voice as they turn their heads to see Rei who stares at them with her neutral expression.

"Oh, my apologies. I didn't mean to interrupt your attempt to intercourse with each other. Please join us when you have finished," Rei says before going back to the others leaving Isaac and Kori there before snapping out of it as they move away in embarrassment and deep blushes on their face.

'Damn, that was just... damn,' Isaac thinks to himself as he grabs his shirt and armor, "We should go back and see what Sphere has found."

Kori who is as confused as Isaac was, ran a hand in her hair nods in agreement, "Yes, we should," she reaches for her top, 'Despite how it started, I think I just found the what Earthlings consider their "Special One" today.'

"Ready," Isaac asks while turning to her with a happy and confident look on his face.

Kori nods and smiles with the smile she is usually seen with, "Ready."

When they arrived Sphere began to explain, "I believe I found something right here."

His scanner shined on a device before stating, "However it is genetically locked to the members of the royal family. Which would mean only Kori can activate it."

Kori pointed at herself, "Me?"

"Precisely." Sphere said as he moved out of the way for Kori to touch the device that was shown to her.

Once she did, the device suddenly opened, and a projection was shown of a woman. It was none other than the Queen, as Kori gasped, "Mother?"

The Zamarian woman had neutral expression on her face but her voice carried a feeling of sadness in it as she began to speak, "To those who are viewing this message, than you are seeing first hand at what the Creators are capable of. This may be hard to believe, but this planet was once called Zamaron."

Images of the city and residents of the planet are shown enjoying life doing different things such as teens training in combat, kids playing, and couples enjoying time together as she continues, "A beautiful planet of happiness and peace, but now it is a mere shadow of what it was after the Creators attacked our home." Images of the Creators attacking Zamaron, the different battles that occur as they defend their planet, and how different Zamaraneans mutated into more of the Creators' creatures which leaves the group shocked before it returns to the queen. Her tone of voice and expression changes to that of shame as she continues, "My name is Kala And'rz, and I am the former queen of Zamaron. The queen who failed in her duties to protect her people and her planet. The Creators who have been many believe are behind all life across the universe, attacked our home for our resources and for their evil experiments. We of Zamaron would have been able to protect ourselves from the Creators, but due to the secrets of our planet being handed over by a traitor, we were left defenseless as our world was slowly poisoned by their weapons and deadly soldiers. During what would be the final battle, both of my daughters, Komi and Kori were captured by the Creators as they left the planet to their Xenecromorphs soldiers. After the battle was over, the Xenecromorphs were destroyed, but out victory was bitter sweet at what we had lost so much. Most of our people, the princesses, and our home planet now that it has become poisoned by the Creators' terrible black substance. I failed my people, my home, and worst of all, my daughters. But life must go on, which is why the few that remained are leaving our home to hide in the universe from those that wish to use us for our energy and powers."

The group continued to look at the screen with different expressions. Gwen, Jeff, Hilda, and DRU have shocked expressions at how the Creators' influence could turn such a beautiful planet into the place they found when they arrived. Rei maintained a neutral expression but she felt sad at all the pain she saw in the images but is unable to show it properly. Adam kept a neutral expression as well, however his eyes were glowing behind his glasses with a fist clenched tightly. Kori looks at her mother with a sad expression at what happened after her capture and anger shown by her fists shaking when she remembered how Komi left her to the Creators after she escaped. Isaac places his hand on her shoulder as she looks at him with sympathy and sadness as the video continues.

"If my daughters are hearing this, then know that I am so sorry for failing you. I know that both of you must hate me for my failure and I do not blame you. You were forced on a path of pain at hands of the Creators and my inability to stop them. Now I have left you with an empty world you once called home hoping to see the same smiling faces you saw every day before this nightmare. Our planet may be lost, but our race must live on." Kala showed a picture of a green crystal, the exact one that the crew recognized in the painting around the Queen's neck. Kori was shocked and unaware of what it truly was as the message played on, "The Codex, the most guarded secret of the royal family, is the only hope to save our world. Kori, as the heir to the throne of Zamaron, only you will be able to use it to sow the seeds of new life for the Zamaranians. But the soil here is filled with death now and will not bear fruit. You must find a new planet to restore life to this planet and ensure that the sacrifices of so many Zamaranians were not in vain."

Kala's expression changes to one of deep sorrow and sadness as tears begin to roll down her eyes. "It may not be worth anything to you after all that has happened, but know that both of you have, and always be the stars in my life whose fire will always warms my heart. My little Starfire and Blackfire, I love you. Please make a better future for yourselves and for those who have yet to come where they won't have to live in this horrible nightmare." As if she knew there was no time left, Kala with one last sorrowful look on her face, deactivates the recorder as the message ends.

Everyone is left speechless at the contents of the message while Kori is on the verge of crying again. Isaac then hugs her again to help her through the pain. Slowly the others, including a reluctant Jeff, all join in a group hug. The room is silent for a few minutes as everyone comforts Kori and in turn themselves as Isaac, Jeff, Gwen, Rei, Misty, and Adam all know that this could be Earth's fate. They break apart as Isaac looks to them with determination in his eyes.

"The queen left one last chance for Zamaron. But Earth only has one chance to survive the Creators," he starts as the others look to him, "and we're that chance. This is no longer about Earth, this is about all the planets in the universe. If we don't stop them, there won't be anything left."

Everyone nodded before a slot opened up in the cylinder as a gem was seen inside it.

Kori gently took the gem into her hands, and held it to her chest. Isaac walked over to her and reached out to hold her shoulder. But stopped, feeling that it might have been a bit too much in this scene. Until she ran into his arms and hugged him, of which he returned. Everyone just laughed at that scene, the tension of it all gone.

Everyone watched at this while no one paid attention as Adam went to look at the portrait, seeing the gem around the previous' queen's neck before looking at the gem in Kori's hand and wondered, 'The Codex... if what the queen said is true... then where is it... and why did she give Kori an unrelated gem?'

Seeing everyone together and relenting he thought, 'A mystery for another time... right now she deserved the support of others.'

Suddenly, a pink flash lit up the area in the middle of them, as the little Larvenite appeared. But now... it was atop a pile of well-kept and fresh and juicy fruits. Seeing them, Chunk, Teo, and Ben rushed in to eat. Isaac and Kori, who had stopped hugging, were suddenly greeted by the Larvenite that jumped at Kori's bosom and nuzzled her, as she giggled, "I see. You were wanting to help us."

Isaac smirked at the guys, "Well, what do you know? He was trying to help out."

Misty then shrugged, as she half-smirked, "Either that, or stay off the food chain."

Teo pushed more food into his mouth, until his cheeks puffed out like a chipmunk. Though Chunk managed to speak on his own, as he spoke, "Can't talk. Eating."

Adam smiled as he withheld from laughing as he watched on.

Later after getting what food they could into the Falcon, Kori was seen standing over a hill looking at the hollow landscape that was her home while she held the Larveninte in her arms.

Kori looked at the landscape, as she smiled, "It is rather sad to think of it, but you and I are all that is left of this planet." She then looked down at him, "We must stick together, but not just us." She then turned to her crewmates, as she smiled, "They too are also my family."

"Kori, you ready to go," Isaac suddenly asked, as he walked towards her.

Kori turned around and smiled, "Yes. Syl'Kie and I are ready."

Isaac arched an eyebrow as he asked, "Syl'Kie?"

She held the little fellow in her hands, and smiled, "That is the name of this cute little Bumgorf."

Isaac blinks before asking, "Bumgorf?"

Kori smiled, "It means Little One." But then she blinked, as she looked at something at his hip, "Isaac. Is that...?"

Isaac looked at where she was pointing, and saw the Hammer Starbreaker, "Oh... well, I figured it um..." He apologized, "It seemed rather important, so it's only there for the time being until I can find a place to put it for display." He then bolted to the ship, leaving a rather confused Kori.

She blinked, as she commented, "But... nobody has ever lifted the Starbreaker. Not even Father or any of the strongest of warriors." In truth, the palace was built around the hammer's display.

Seeing him coming closer to the ship, Adam calls, "Captain, come take a look at the fruit."

"I'm on my way," Isaac replied as he walked on over.

Kori thought about what her mother said about the Sunbreaker and the Codex being the keys to reuniting her people and she developed a faint blush on her cheeks as she thought, 'X'hal... what is the matter with me? Perhaps I should check with the ship's doctor once we leave...'

She looked up at the sky as she stares at the massive sea of stars above.

Next Chapter: Rendevouz with the Queen of Xandar Prime; the Pirate Princess Demon