I Am XIAO: An Inktober Story

DataLog030_RIDE.txt⁣

The elephant-octopus creature blinks at me with all four of its shining yellow eyes, and addresses me in the Titanian language:⁣
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"You are the one who sent us the message."⁣
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"Yes," I reply in my best Titanian. "I need to know. What do you want from us? Why did your people destroy my space capsule?"⁣
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"And who...who are...you?" Major Chang struggles to ask the creature.⁣
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"Apologies, how rude of me not to identify myself. I am known as the Grand Facilitator of this moon."⁣
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"YOU??" I laser-sliced the tentacles of such an important person?! "Ah—about your um, arm...earlier...I'm so sor—"⁣
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"No need." The Grand Facilitator raises one of its good arms and cuts me off. "My injury will heal, and you were simply defending yourself. I had you and your guardian brought here because we require your assistance. You see, we have a common adversary."⁣
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"Who?"⁣

"The ones who destroyed your mode of transport were not us, as you mistakenly believe. We are certain that our rivals who reside on the moon you call Iapetus are responsible for this act."

"Iapetus...so there are other advanced civilizations on other moons besides Titan! But how do you know for sure it was them?"

"This is not the first time our enemies have attacked one of our visitors." The Grand Facilitator nods towards Major Chang. "Back then we were able to drive them out, but it seems they have returned."

"What despicable beings...attacking innocents like us and then making it look like you did it." My circuits start to heat up. "How can we help?"

"Come with me."

The Grand Facilitator leads us inside one of the sleek, tall buildings, up a long elevator, and into a high-tech laboratory filled with all kinds of strange and fascinating devices. Holding up one that resembled a barcode reader, the elephant-octopus says, "If I am correct in my theory, this scanner will allow us to download your laser technology so that we can develop a weapon that will defeat the Iapetans once and for all."

"You want...my lasers?"

"Yes, and in return, we want to offer you a ride home." It pointed a tentacle out the window, where the most magnificent spaceship I'd ever seen stood parked outside.

My jaw dropped. We can finally go home! But...would it be right to give these creatures my laser technology?

"Please allow me to discuss this with my guardian."

"Take all the time you need."

I pull Major Chang aside and whisper to him, This is our chance! But...can we trust them? I mean, we just met."

"So from what I can understand, these guys protected me all those years ago, when my ship broke down—no, I was attacked." He whispers back. "And never once did I consider that they were actually helping me. This whole time, I thought they were something to be afraid of, but...they're actually the good guys."

"You're right. We owe this to them, don't we?"

Major Chang nods and puts his hand on my shoulder.

"Grand Facilitator, we will be glad to help you defeat your enemies if it means we can finally go home."

"We appreciate your assistance more than words can say! Please, show me your barcode."

I hold up my wrist and let the Grand Facilitator scan the barcode. After a long string of beeps and whirs, the transfer was complete. 

Moments later, we enter the Titanian spaceship. After a brief introduction to the autopilot features and other aspects of the ship, we're ready for takeoff!

We bid farewell to the Titanian natives, sad to have known them for such a short time. I hope my lasers help them so that their enemies never attack another innocent visitor again and they will at last live in peace.

5...4...3...2...1...//IGNITION!

We gaze out the ships window as we rise high into the atmosphere. The Titanians appear smaller and smaller until they disappear into the moon's thick orange clouds. Soon Titan itself is nothing more than a tiny speck in the distance.

[STATUS: HOMEWARD>>]

[MOOD:  HAPPY]

[[THE END]]