It was a short flight to reach Sutr's system, roughly two days. For most of the trip, Galko had allowed the ship to fly itself, knowing it had one of the best AI interfaces Osiris offered. It would sense and interpret asteroid fields, space debris, and even the gravitational pulls flickering from the sun. The amount of asteroids that surrounded the small blood-red world surprised Galko as they approached.

  'Ship, is there a reason there's so many asteroids here? It almost seems abnormal.'

  'Not by Sutren standards, Galko Bastille,' the ship replied. 'Sutr is geographically volatile, volcanic, and expanding at an alarming rate each cycle. According to records, the planet self-destructs after every hundred cycles, before reverting to the size of a small moon. This is probably what results in the abnormal amount of asteroids present. It influences much of Sutr's culture and philosophy.'

  'That… sounds awful,' Galko said, sensing Salkon's agreement with him. 'So what happens if Sutrens are born close to the inevitable self-destruction? Do they just lose what would've been their lives?'

  'Yes, but the Sutrens regard this as a great honour, akin to their native Sutren Phoenix. After reaching a certain age, they too set themselves aflame, re-birthing as a chick to begin the cycle again. However, I should note that our records show that Sutrens are less technologically advanced than we are.'

  'That's not a surprise,' Galko commented, as he folded his arms and sat back in his seat, regarding the world that could be near the end of its cycle and he wouldn't know it. That didn't bode well for recruiting their Odian. Galko shook his head.

  'I'm ignorant,' he said, realising it was true. 'I hardly know anything of the other races of this galaxy, except perhaps for the Aphrions and Gorkans. Is it any wonder we're seen as an arrogant race?'

  Salkon was silent. Galko felt the weight of their mission as he looked at his gauntlets, seeing the head of the dragon and the beast. In response, he closed his eyes, focusing on his breathing. Salkon, too, seemed to be filling Galko with reassurance.

  We will succeed, Galko, he said within. You're not alone.

  'Thank you, Salkon,' Galko said.

  #

  They entered Sutr's atmosphere a few hours later, as solar flares erupted around his ship before disappearing. The phenomenon should've stopped when entering the planet's atmosphere. It didn't. Galko wasn't surprised by this and was sure he understood why. He regarded the world they were entering, noting the smoky sky and wisps of fire. The ship's console lights flickered, new information emerging from the AI.

  'Surface temperature is around four-hundred degrees Celsius and counting,' the ship informed him, not long after Galko came to his conclusion. Galko shook his head.

  'Odia be blessed. If it weren't for you, I wouldn't be able to step on here, Salkon. It's like we're entering a—'

  Smoke cleared from the view to reveal a dark landscape with mountains, gorges, and lava rivers. Galko saw industrial complexes with factories emitting black smoke between them. Sutrens were famous for their industry, their metalcraft among the best in the galaxy. It made a lot more sense, considering what he saw.

  'Ship, are there any nearby spaceports?' Galko asked.

  'Erm… I'm not sure…' the ship replied, not filling Galko with confidence. 'My records show a landing spot that should be below us. However…'

  'Yeah, that won't happen,' Galko replied, understanding. Below, he saw thousands of fissures and wide craters, each filled with lava.

  'When were records of Sutr taken?' Galko asked. 'Especially about the last self-destruction?'

  The ship didn't answer the question, while Salkon's amusement grew.

  'Would you like me to use the thermal scanners?' the ship then asked.

  'In a world like this?' Galko replied, just preventing himself from laughing as well.

  'I was referring to the visual scanner,' the ship said. 'It may find activity.'

  Though he understood the ship was trying to be helpful, Galko once again ignored the temptation to burst out laughing. Thankfully, he didn't.

  'Go ahead,' he said.

  At once, everything in the ship faded to black, before the screen before him shifted into a dark sapphire hue. From there, Galko noted glowing elements of white and red. Much to his surprise, white shapes did indeed stand out from the obvious volcanoes and rivers of lava. As the ship drew closer to them, Galko watched them forming into actual beings, beings of stacked muscle and powerful physiques. That included the women too, as they operated the factories in their world.

  They all looked up towards his ship, somehow conveying scorn and distrust, even from a distance. That didn't aid Galko's confidence, though Salkon moved to quell any doubts with resolve.

  Well, this is it, Galko thought, before nodding and reaching for the steering wheel.

  'Alright. Ship, turn off thermal sensors,' he said. The ship obeyed. The sapphire hue dissipated as the lights returned to normal. Now Galko could also see the Sutrens from up close, from their bright red skin to their jet-black hair and yellow eyes. The men appeared shirtless, demonstrating their musculature, which appeared imposing indeed. Though Galko was abnormal for an Osirin, regarding his own build, the Sutrens appeared powerful.

  They seemed agitated and annoyed when he arrived and landed his ship near a group of them. He guessed the entrance to the factory was nearby, as smaller buildings surrounded it and other ships were there too.

  As the ship touched down on what Galko could approximate as the flattest area of stone, he noted a few Sutren beginning to approach his ship. Despite the planet's scorching temperature, it didn't seem they intended to give him a warm welcome. Galko sighed at that, causing Salkon to stir.

  It isn't them you have to convince. Just their Odian, he said. Galko nodded, as he pressed a button to open the hatch of the ship. Despite knowing what would meet him as soon as he did this, Galko still found himself surprised by the blast of heat that struck him. Even while wearing Salkon's armour, he still felt as though he were being set aflame, or at least entering the hottest sauna in the galaxy.

  Yet, no sooner had these feelings arose than Galko sensed Salkon working on cooling him down, somehow achieving this. He stood up, held his head high, and jumped onto the rocky planet from the ship's side.

  The gravity is heavier here too, Galko noticed at once, along with a musky charcoal scent. The air was thin here, and he could hear industrial noises, including the movement of machines and controlled explosions in the distance.

  And harsh shouting, coming from the Sutrens approaching him.

  'Let's make a good impression…' Galko said, more to himself. He maintained a confident posture, praying that it didn't appear aloof. Galko judged the expressions of the Sutrens. They didn't appear impressed. He also noted how Salkon's rapier appeared at his hip. He hoped he wouldn't need that.

  But by sweet Odia, they're massive. Galko observed two large Sutren men approaching. They had enormous chests, muscular arms, and wore only black trousers. It was also impossible to miss the giant broadswords strapped to their backs. The women were almost dressed the same, except for wearing vests. It didn't make them appear any less imposing, lean with muscle of their own. Their scowls didn't bode well either.

  'Pleasure to meet you all,' Galko said, hoping that the Sutrens would understand him as they approached within a few steps of him, 'I am Galko Bastille, Odian of Osiris. I was wondering if any of you could tell me where I'd find your Odian?'

  The Sutrens glanced between each other, somewhat surprised by his request. One of the giant males looked back at him.

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  'Alena will not see you,' he said, his voice deep and harsh. Galko was unsure if that was scorn or the normal Sutren disposition. 'She is on a mission.'

  Galko nodded, figuring that was not true, considering the whole point of his mission. Still, he played the game.

  'When will she be back?' he tried.

  'She will not see you, Osirin,' another of the males replied, not hiding his scorn. Galko was glad for Salkon's armour hiding his face then, which contained his surprise. However, that also made body language far more important to consider. Galko folded his arms and scratched his chin, making a show of contemplating what to do next.

  'That's not helpful…' he said, before turning his gaze back towards the Sutrens. 'Do you have any way I could contact Alena? There's something I need to discuss with her.'

  'Are you deaf, foolish Osirin?' one of the Sutren women spat, stepping beyond the two men. 'They've already told you she won't see you! Just leave!'

  'I'm afraid that's not an option…' Galko said. 'I need to see her.'

  The Sutren woman scowled and drew a jagged dagger from a sheath by her legs. The others seemed to use this as a cue, drawing similar weapons of their own, including the two males and their giant broadswords. Before he knew it, Galko now had six Sutrens ready to fight him.

  'I'm not here to fight,' he emphasised, making sure he still appeared unconcerned. 'Please, let's not do this.'

  'Then leave…' the Sutren woman replied, almost sounding calm. That stunned Galko, as this time he couldn't help but regard her in amazement, before regarding the others.

  'You all realise you're about to fight an Odian, right?' he asked. They all smiled, as though that was the plan.

  'I believe you confuse us for caring,' the female Sutren said. 'You Odians aren't invincible, except perhaps Alena.'

  She's not wrong about that, Galko thought, sensing Salkon as he prepared himself for combat.

  Do you wish for me to handle this? the Odian asked. Galko sighed.

  No, I'll handle this, he replied. I need to get used to fighting as an Odian.

  Very well, Salkon said. I would suggest using my Precision ability. It works to highlight weak areas on targets, both lethal and non-lethal. It also provides you with the ability to anticipate the possible future movements of targets, meaning you can read enemy attacks more easily.

  How do I use it? Galko asked, lowering his arms as the Sutrens approached, smiling. And how do I tell the difference between lethal and non-lethal?

  Red spots show lethal, while non-lethal is amber. Though, most times, the lethal spots are obvious in the grand scheme of things. As for how to activate the ability, declare its name, and it will activate. It is the same for my other two abilities, though another is always active, regardless.

  You mean I've been using one of your abilities this whole time? Galko asked, surprised, as the Sutrens circled around him.

  Yes. Did you not notice a difference in how you handled the ship?

  He had. It had seemed smoother, his ability to anticipate enhanced. The changes hadn't been dramatic, but they had been noticeable. Now it all made sense.

  So that's what it was, he considered, as Salkon responded to this thought with amusement.

  Yes, I improve your mastery over weapons and vehicles, Galko. That's why Ero was always so good with them.

  'That… makes sense…' Galko said. 'I guess we should see what happens then… Precision!'

  Galko's vision changed as the bodies of the surrounding Sutrens glowed with a white hue, revealing slight deviations that showed possible future movements. From it, spots of red and amber appeared on their bodies, highlighting the areas Salkon specified earlier. It enabled him to avoid a stab aimed towards his chest from a Sutren woman by stepping to the right. He anticipated an incoming overhead swing from one of the Sutren men next. Galko ducked beneath his sword and dropped into a roll to his right, bringing him close between the two Sutren women who moved to engage him.

  Still low, Galko extended his right leg and threw it back as he spun, knocking one of the Sutren women to the ground. While doing this, sensing Salkon's instinct guiding him, Galko reached towards his left hip and unsheathed Salkon's rapier, striking the second Sutren woman on the back of her knees. She fell too, crying out in pain. Galko turned to see two Sutren men wielding giant swords, one aimed for his head, the other for his knees.

  Galko spun midair and used Salkon's rapier to strike non-lethal areas on the elbow joint of one and the shoulder of the other. As Galko landed, he heard the clanging sounds of the swords being dropped.

  'This fight is over,' Galko said, rising to his feet before turning to regard the group of Sutrens who had moved to fight him. 'I had no intention of fighting you. Now, will you tell me where your Odian is?'

  A loud whistle came from behind the group of Sutrens, and they all turned to a smaller Sutren with long black hair. He too was shirtless, lean with muscle. Yet, unlike the others, he exuded a sense of calm, almost appearing impressed with Galko as he stepped past the group.

  'Damn… You're good, Osirin,' he said, smiling with a charisma that looked wrong for his kind. Still, he stepped into the space between Galko and the rest of his kind, reaching behind his back to unsheathe dual blades which he spun between his fingers. He then fixed them towards Galko.

  'I'll tell you what, face me, and I'll tell you where Alena is.'

  'What?' Galko replied, surprised by this. Even Salkon seemed surprised. Yet, the Sutren appeared earnest, his confident smile not wilting at all.

  'That's the deal,' he said. 'Either that, or we tell you nothing.'

  Galko shook his head, not quite believing this was happening on the first planet of his mission.

  'I haven't got time for this…' he said. 'I need to speak to Alena. Once I've done that, I'll leave. Please, my mission concerns the entire galaxy, perhaps even the fate of Odians themselves.'

  'My deal still stands…' the Sutren said, his smile seeming to say that he knew he was annoying Galko, who eyed him in return.

  'I don't mean to disrespect you,' he said. 'But my Odian specialises in combat. Do you really think you can beat me in a fight, knowing that?'

  'Fight you?' the Sutren said, surprised. 'I mentioned nothing about fighting you.'

  'But you…' Galko began, before the Sutren flashed another smile, as though realising something.

  'Oh, I get it… You think this was all building towards a fight… Oh no, you confuse my words, Osirin. I told you to face me, and I'd tell you where Alena is.'

  'I… don't understand…' Galko remarked. 'Isn't that the same thing?'

  'Kinda,' the Sutren admitted, shrugging. 'But the whole point was to distract you. Now, you're facing me.'

  'And Alena?' Galko asked, watching as the Sutren flicked his gaze upward. At once, Salkon filled Galko with alarm, comprehending. He forced Galko to turn on his feet, just in time for him to receive a blow in the face. It was a hard strike, hard enough to send Galko flying in the air, before he crashed against a metal wall. Disorientated, Galko groaned, before looking up from the floor.

  There, Galko saw another Odian.

  The Odian of Sutr was female, wearing lean crimson armour adorned with gold patterns and etchings. Her hips were wide, legs thick with muscle, with a narrow upper torso and arms that had long golden blades attached to them. Atop her faceless helmet was a crown of pure gold, with a single fire burning atop it. Staring into it, Galko almost found that flame transfixing, until he shook his head and forced himself to rise to his feet. From behind the Odian of Sutr, the confident male Sutren appeared pleased with himself.

  'What was your name again? Galko? I'd like to introduce you to our Odian. This is Alena Moltis, Odian of Sutr.'