Bestial Planet

Chapter 39: The Archaeologist and the Fighter

I saw the ship from the hole in my room, coming in to land at the port.

"Right on schedule."

Last night Ade began his transformation, today he looked just as fierce as when he was a quadruped. His mane looked smaller, almost like those furry hoods we used to have on winter coats. He quickly adopted the use of hair ties to keep it out of his vision. At 7'8" he was a foot taller than me. The other Ambassadors looked about as fierce as you'd expect the animal-human hybrid Leaders of Earth to look. Jaina and Kyung looked like they could withstand a Nuclear Blast. Enakai looked like he could disappear into shadows and wore his wings as if they were a cloak most of the time. Star was usually a blur, getting her to sit still was nigh impossible but her antlers had swooped back save for two points, which pointed forward. Ioana looked just as regal. She no longer had a beak but a more old-school human face, sort of like the sphinx. The main thing now was it seemed like everyone was going to be back on two feet, after an excruciating night of course. But now, my mind was focused on one thing as I gathered my things for the trip.

Hopefully, if I had built a prototype, I'd have tools and parts already at my old workstation. Then all I'd have to do is transport it all back here. In theory it was simple enough but there were materials that required care when transported, i.e. they had to be powered down... if I'd gotten that far. I couldn't figure out what I was remembering and what I was genuinely designing for the first time with my new plans. I gave my gear and pants one last overview before closing my case then taking it and myself to the dock.

The elevator opened to the lobby and I saw Nik waiting for me.

"Sup Panzer, I'm ready to go."

"What do you mean? I'm just going to..."

"Yeah I know. Catty and I thought it would be a good idea to come. For emotional support."

"You just want to ride in a space ship don't you?"

"Exactly."

I glared at him and the bag he'd somehow gotten around his arms and onto his back.

"How'd..."

"One of the assistant robots." He said with a satisfied grin.

"Uhuh."

I just started walking and Nik joined me.

"Slow down long legs, I didn't transform yet!"

I slowed my pace.

"I don't remember anything about the building really so with my giant self, you two and Yora, getting around in a group may be difficult."

"Hey you know what? Duly noted."

I glared quizzically at him again.

"What about the restaurant?"
"My sous chef knows enough to run things while I'm gone."

"Mhmm."

"C'mon man, we barely hangout and what better time than during an archaeological dig for your past?"

"That's a strange way to put it."

"Pretty apropos huh?"

I couldn't help but smile as we made our way to the space port.

*****

When we got close to the port we heard someone yelling.

"YO! Back the fuck up before I break something!"

I looked to Nik wide eyed and he motioned for me to run ahead. I dropped my case and took off, covering the last 100 or so feet in the blink of an eye. I leapt up onto the platform, rounded a corner and saw Catty and her dark purple stripes standing in between Yora and a two other people, a large bear of some kind, probably a hybrid, and a wolf, also a hybrid.