Empyrean Iris Story Collection

The Drev

"It should be avoided at all costs."

"Councilor, don't you think that's a bit of an exaggeration, the humans have joined the alliance, they are on our side." Around the room, members of the galactic assembly lounged in their seats all filled aside form one conspicuously empty chair.

"I am not denying that. The humans have proven to be more than willing to work with us, but they are too powerful, to similar to be allowed to interact."

Across the room an assembly member stood tapping the one of four feet on the ground with impatience, "And what do you suggest we do, we cannot make laws that prohibit their interaction. You know as well as I that humans have a compulsive need to break the rules. If we go right and out state that than they will surely seek each other out just to spite us."

The room erupted into a chorus of voices, silenced only by the chairman pounding his fist against the table.

"Even if we could make laws like that, only the humans would be subject. The others have not agreed to join the alliance. I agree that allied they would represent the greatest threat to the galaxy there ever was, but they were on opposite sides of the war. We are just going to have to hope that their mutual hatred will keep them apart. In the meantime we will work to keep the humans satisfied, better to ally with them than fight against them."

The room was silent, a mutter of agreement washed around the room.

The Vrul representative nodded thoughtfully, "We just have to hope."

***

"And what made you think it was a good idea to try and befriend a horrific Zlorg Beast."

"You know what Krill, if I want your sass, I'll ask for it."

"I say you asked for it when you came screaming down that hill being chased by ten tons of f*** off."

The human rolled his eyes giving Krill a rude gesture, "You know what, every day you are more and more human, and I'm starting to wonder if that's a good thing. You used to respect and fear me, and rightly so."

"It's sort of hard to respect and fear someone who accidently got themselves stuck in a trash can for over an hour."

The man snorted as they skirted around another outbuilding, "Yeah, and I got twenty space credits for it, so it was completely worth it."

They took another corner pushing themselves through the crowd and up onto the main thoroughfare, "Also kind of hard to be afraid of someone who has been involved in, a, and I quote "Cuddle puddle."

Captain Vir shrugged, "Hey when you're feeling down and everyone on the ship has a license for cuddle therapy, why not just do everyone a favor. Granted it usually devolves into a pillow fight, but that is beside the point."

Krill shook his head, "Yeah, I rest my case..... what are we doing here anyway?"

The Captain shrugged, grabbing Krill by the arm and tugging him up a flight of stairs. Inflating his hydrogen sack, Krill floated up easily with him glad to avoid trying to walk up the stairs. The configuration of is body made climbing almost impossible. He deflated as they reached the top, and followed at the captain's heels down the hall.

"You know what, I honestly don't know. A couple weeks back, I got a ping on the radio that said I had a package waiting here. Didn't say from who just said that I needed to come as soon as possible."

Krill sighed, "You probably ordered ten tons of pop rocks or something."

"That's a good idea, but no because I would have remembered bringing that kind of joy into my life."