Chapter 5: Duty Switch

(Krystal's P.O.V.)

Standing inside the 'throne room' as the humans called it, I stood and watched as the 'diplomat from the planet Earth stepped forward and took out a notebook. The one time I had seen what was inside of it, I was stunned to say the least, we spoke the same language, yet I couldn't understand anything that was written in it. Bringing myself back to the present matter at hand, the diplomat raised his head as he said, "I come to your court royal court today to inform you that I will be being replaced by another diplomat. It will be a day or two until they arrive, but I bid you a good day, and may you look over our proposal while the new diplomat transfers…"

He turned around, and when he began to walk away, I could only scoff, but I was quickly cut off by my mother as she raised a hand, but kept a neutral face as she kept facing the retreating man. If only he I could've read his mind during the stay, then I definitely would have trusted him more… probably. The doors closed behind the human, and I looked towards my mother and asked, "How again, did humans arrive on Cerinia? I thought there weren't any more machines?"

"Krystal, dear… I don't know… nor does your father."

I sighed as I looked over at him, and then I turned away and started to walk towards a doorway, "I'll be in my room if I'm needed… I want to relax before I'm forced to meet the other diplomat…"

"Alright dear… just please be ready for anything…" My father called out as he slumped into his chair…

(Wolf's P.O.V.)

Walking alongside the Cerinian, we were walking towards an area where he has said the 'handlers' waited for any task they were required to perform. I looked and looked out the window the tunnel we were walking through, and I could see the rocky terrain in the distance as I asked, "Exactly how far are we underground?"

He looked over at me briefly as he said, "I believe the commander of this facility mentioned it being somewhere around the depth of a skyscrapers height… but he never elaborated, so I do not know."

I whistled as I fathomed the amount of digging it must've taken to make such a large facility underground, and a huge one like this too. At least I know where my dad's tax dollars were going now…

Looking back over at Leo, I asked, "How come you're the only Cerinian here?"

"Your government believes it best to keep as little of my people off of your planet… to ensure nothing bad happens, or to minimize the chance of something happening." He said as we continued to walk, "May I ask what preference of a handler you would like to have while on your stay on Cerinia?"

Nodding, I looked down as I singled out the traits I would need with me the best I could, "I will need someone that is strong, smart, and calm under all circumstances. They must at least know how to spot trouble in a crowd… last time I ended up being a target by a prick as I was walking around Iris…"

Leo also nodded as he brought a hand up to his chin, and his eyes glazed over temporarily with thought. When he looked up and at me, he smiled as he said, "I know just the person… his name is Tyler, and I believe he is what you would call, a seal?"

"A Navy seal!?" I said in shock. An actual Navy seal as my personal bodyguard!? That… is… SICK! I couldn't help but smile as Leo nodded, and I looked back forward with a new eagerness clenching my gut.

"Um… I know now isn't the best of times, but I need to inform you, when you are on Cerinia, you are not to communicate with Krystal or her family in any way." I looked over as I felt my mouth hang drop open, "It is to ensure that your… relationship doesn't interfere with negotiations. We will provide for you the attire to conceal your identity, though you will look like a mercenary. Will you be alright with these arrangements?"

"No!" I shook my head vigorously, but then I thought about it deeper, "…Well… I will need a gun myself if I'm to look like a mercenary…"

"I'm sure I can have that arranged, Wolf." Leo said as he opened the door, and we entered, and saw a bunch of people lounging about in a room.

When we stopped inside the doorway, Leo held my shoulder as he said, "Tyler. Please step forward." I watched as I buff but lean looking man stood up from a couch, and approached us. From a rough estimation, I guessed he was around six foot, give or take a few inches. "You are being assigned to young Wolf here as a handler and guardian… you will need to get him the outfit so he looks like a mercenary, so he can keep his identity concealed from the princess of Cerinia… they know each other." Leo added as Tyler gave me a strange look.

Holding out my hand, I said, "Wolf… nice to meet you Tyler."

He gripped my hand briefly and said, "Like-wise… now then, what kind of work do you have on Cerinia kid?"

Before I could answer, Leo cut in and said, "This is the new diplomat… he will require protection… and one of your races weapons."

When Tyler looked at me curiously, I shrugged my shoulders as I said, "Last time I was on Cerinia, I needed one when I didn't have one." He looked away from me and back at Leo as he nodded, and soon, we were back out the door, and I was following Tyler. "So where are we going?"

"First, we need to get you suited up… secondly, we will visit the armory. Any preference in a gun?"

I smiled as I thought about it, but all I said was, "Something strong… but not small like a pistol. I want something that is accurate also… maybe a shotgun?"

Tyler chuckled softly as he looked back at me and looked me over, "Can you even shoot a shotgun without falling over?"

"Hey, I have been to a gun range a fair amount." I said a bit defensively, even though he did have a point; I would probably fall over from the recoil.

"Maybe we will just get you an assault rifle, though I will let it be automatic."

I was standing in front of a mirror, and looking myself over. I wore green cameo pants with a black army jacket. I had a military style full helmet, which covered everything except my eyes, but for that, I had a pair of black tinted goggles resting on the top of my helmet. Over my shoulder, the light assault rifle's barrel was sticking up. on my feet I also wore black military boots. I saw Tyler step behind me and look in the mirror as well, and I said, "Now I really do look like a mercenary…"

Tyler held a combat knife out to me, which I took along the hilt and strapped to my waist where he had shown me beforehand. He patted my shoulder as he began to walk away, and he said, "We should get going… we are expected at the teleportation room soon."

Stepping back and away from the mirror, I walked with him, and before we walked out of the door, he grabbed his rifle from the wall, and we were soon on our way. I looked out and behind me, and I saw a few of people in scientist coats looking at me weirdly, so I faced back forward, and I saw even more people staring at me. I know I'm supposed to look like this as a simple disguise, but maybe we overdid it… well, I overdid it.

We arrived at a pair of sliding metal doors, and when we stepped into the room, it felt frigid cold. I would have shivered, had it not been for the sole fact that I enjoyed the cold more than the heat.

Tyler stopped behind a man and said in a loud and calm voice, "We are here for as assigned, sir! Ready to be transferred whenever you are, sir!"

The man turned around slowly, and looked us both over as he nodded, "Ah, yes… good to see you boys have finally arrived. We have just entered the final preparation stage for the machines, but please, go step onto the platform, and we will transfer you in approximately," he looked down at his watch, "one minute thirty-two seconds."

Tyler nodded, and I followed behind him until we were stepping onto a large circular platform. When we faced back towards the man, he flicked a few switches, and then the air began to buzz and I could see balls of electricity literally forming a sphere around us.

I looked over towards Tyler, and I saw he had closed his eyes, and then there was a painfully bright blast, and then I felt myself moving extremely fast, but almost like I wasn't moving at all. I fell to the ground on my knees as the light disappeared, and I rubbed my eyes, "AURGG! What in the hell!?"

Removing my hands from my eyes, I blinked a few times, and slowly, my vision started to come back, and hands found their way onto my shoulders. "Are you alright kid?"

Shaking my head, I slowly stood up as I could see our surroundings, and I saw Cerinian scientists, and I said in a quiet voice, "Last time I did that, there wasn't a bright ass flash… that hurt…"

"Thought u knew to close your eyes… anyways, let's get going so that the other diplomat can return to Earth." Tyler said, and I followed him off of the platform and towards a Cerinian. When we drew closer, the Cerinian smiled slightly, but I could tell from how frigid the tail of it was, that it was anything but pleased. "We are here to relieve the current diplomat of Earth of his duties… may you escort us to his position?"

The Cerinian nodded as she said, "Right this way…"

Tyler faced me as he said, "From here on out, don't say a word unless I give you the go… I will give you a pen and paper so you can communicate. You will be given one hour every day to explore Iris, but you will be required to stay in marked areas, which we will discuss later. Also, I will be with you at all times, and if I'm not, I will be at the HQ filing out reports and helping to find ways for the negotiations to run smoother than usually. Are we clear?"

Nodding my head, I noticed the Cerinian's ears were facing towards us, Ha… little eavesdropper… though I would do that also if I could…

…

We finally stepped out of the building, which I was left to guess was larger than the one back on Earth, but that was alright with me. I sighed as I smiled within my helmet, and I looked up, and saw the twin moons high above in the sky, now that was one hell of a long walk. I rubbed my neck through my fabric clothing, and I looked back down as I heard a silently audible humming noise, and saw one of those hover cars approaching.

After the vehicle had stopped its forward motion, a single male human stepped out, and he was carrying a briefcase. As he drew closer, I could see the scowl on his face, and venom in his eyes. He stood at a stout five foot eight, and he said, "About time you two got here… I'm sick of this planet and their cursed smelly animals. Good luck on trying to break through to that royal family… they were a royal pain in my ass!"

You ungrateful, selfish, rude jerk! I stepped over, and I went to punch him in the jaw. I was halfway into the punch, and he saw it, and he jerked away as he flinched, but I felt my arm restrained from behind with a simple hold. Looking behind me, I saw the calm eyes of Tyler standing there, and looking at me with a firm warning. I gestured towards the other diplomat, and Tyler said, "Leave it Wolf… it wouldn't do good for you to start a fight as soon as we got here…"

He let my arm go, and I was tempted to go back at that other diplomat, but I had to restrain myself, least Tyler do it. I watched as the other diplomat walked by me, and he said, "Good dog."

Oh… I should so give him something to remember me by… and not for insulting Krystal and her family. I tilted my head, and I coughed lightly inside my helmet.

I walked to the car as the man called back to Tyler, "Make sure your handler keeps in check sir."

Stopping in my tracks, I turned back around, and I store right at the diplomat, and I started walking towards him, but when Tyler held his arm out, I arched my helmet towards his head, and whispered out, "Come on… one punch can't be too bad… he deserves it too…"

Tyler also whispered quietly, "Yet it won't be you filling out the paperwork…"

Looking over at Tyler, I smiled beneath my helmet, and said, "I'm a dog apparently… loosen my leash just a tiny bit so I can show him dogs bite also…"

I turned my head back towards the other diplomat, and I heard Tyler sigh before I heard his feet shuffle, and he said, "I'm the handler here… any more out of you and I will make sure my report gets you out of a job…"

Frowning, I turned and looked at Tyler, but he ignored me as he made his way to the hover car. I shook my head as I followed, fully aware that if I tried anything, I would most likely be going back to Earth.