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DISCLAIMER: All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the author. The author is in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any media franchise. No copyright infringement is intended.

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THE GRYPHON COMPLEX. Chapter 8: ...and what Alice found there .

It was several more days before we were asked to attend the Quorum by the First Speaker, to answer questions from the other members. As part of our living arrangements, we'd been taken to several clothing outsets specialising in human dress, being provided with plenty of clothing appropriate for the city. K, being K, continued to wear his faded denim jeans and t-shirt, which often drew confused looks from the city inhabitants we passed, but he shrugged off their stares with his usual "they're comfortable" attitude.

Included in the goods we'd received, we'd been outfitted with formal clothing appropriate to meet the leaders of the planet. Personally, I wasn't that convinced at the outcome.

During the fitting, K had admired his reflection in the change room mirror, spinning to show off his new finery to maximum benefit. The rich navy suit suited him well, although the silvery piping on the sleeves and collar was a little too "Star Trek" for my tastes. Topped with a pair of black boots, he almost looked presentable, a fact I was wont to tell him, repeatedly.

He had also done the unthinkable; cut his hair to shoulder length! For as long as we'd known each other, his waist length hair had been "his thing", and heaven help anyone who thought otherwise. For him to have conceded to such a heinous act was a reflection on his desire to start afresh in this place. Thankfully, amongst the human populace, goatees were apparently experiencing a bit of a revival, so his neatly trimmed facial hair remained.

I did what I always did.

I wore black.

It's not a goth thing or anything.

I'm no emo kid, thanks all the same!

I just like black.

Fitted with something resembling a pair of dress jeans, with a stiff collared shirt tipped with silver, and matching jet black shiny boots, I felt almost comfortable for the first time since arriving here.

The attendant at the shop was desperate that I add some form of a highlight; blue scarf, yellow hat, anything in a primary colour to dull the effect. Politely refusing, I kept things simple, and he eventually relented in despair.

After having my hair and beard neatly trimmed short, we left the shop with our parcels, leaving a beaming assistant counting the credits he'd received, compliments of the Quorum council's generosity.

I refused to relent on one matter; my cap stayed firmly on me. No one was taking that away from me.

Not if they valued their facial features intact.

When the time for our attendance arrived, K was almost apoplectic with nerves. Visibly trembling, and white as ash, he stuttered hesitatingly through his introduction to the council members, receiving an encouraging smile from the First Speaker, but neutral looks at best from the other six members present.

Myself, I had no time for nerves. I had a mission to achieve, and neither alien council nor bad haircuts would stop me doing so.

We'd initially made the assumption the quorum was responsible for administering a single planet. K's nerves peaked again, when it became clear these individuals governed not just this world, but the entirety of their society. Almost too much for him to bear, K politely retired to his seat, leaving me to face the council's inquisition alone.

My original thought the council was made up solely of gryphon was a mistaken. While two of the species were present, the remaining five members included species we'd come to identify as a Krynn, wolf like in appearance, two avian K'lest, a scaled S'aar and, of course, a single human delegate. The final sentient species making up their federation; the marine dwelling Boll and methane breathing Kkk'rykk; did not deign to have representatives on the council, their interests in general lying outside matters governed by the Quorum.

I eyed the human with interest, although received no eye contact in return. I still had no clear understanding how a member of my own species could be present so far from their home world, with only a vague "they arrived one day" given in explanation.

Shrugging, I moved on to inspect the Krynn, who gave me a toothy smile in reply. Thinking I might have a friendly ear on the council other than the first speaker, I nodded politely back, receiving a wink in response.

The K'lest had me beat, though. Continually restless, preening or muttering between themselves, seemingly paying little interest to the goings on around them, I gained no support from the brief glances they paid me.

Reminding me of two blue flamingo garden ornaments, their skinny legs and wings moved ceaselessly, and I was happy to leave off my examination of them, if only to settle my nerves at their restlessness.

The reptiloid S'aar I could not fathom whatsoever. Its unblinking black eyes absorbed the goings on around it, and provided no window into its thoughts and feelings.

The final delegate was its opposite in every regard. Deep eyes scruitinising all around it, and a scowl twisting his visage, the enormous gryphon in charge of the Alliance's military arm was the epitome of his species; proud, fierce and totally unforgiving. He eyed me with distain, a feeling I came to quickly share as his glance shifted from me in dismissal.

Fuck you, too, arsehole! I thought to myself in irritation. Arrogant prick!

First Speaker called the meeting to order, and while the discussion stared congenially enough, it quickly deteriorated into bickering infighting between the various factions.

The human and the K'lest were against any move to return to the human world, citing the chance of aggressive retaliation being too high a risk. The S'aar remained neutral, while the gryphon general voiced his preference for immediate military intervention.

Only the Krynn showed any enthusiasm for a peaceful approach, suggesting that to miss the opportunity to approach the humans peacefully would be senseless. However, when the gryphon general muttered a comment that all they needed were more humans around, the council degenerated into chaos, with the human delegate rising angrily to shout his objections over the screeching of his feathered colleagues.

First Speaker sat mute, head lowered as he waited for his colleagues to settle.

Sitting in my chair, arms gripped with fingers whitened in frustration, my patience was reaching its breaking point. A curse at my lips, I was ready to rise and inject my own comments directed at the lot of them, when the First Speaker coughed quietly, the others returning to their seats almost deferentially.

"I find it interesting that we encounter this same chain of arguments each and every time this situation arises. I appreciate the input from you all, but a decision on this needs to be reached as a matter of urgency."

The human stood in anger. "You're simply wanting to mount a rescue mission for your son!" he shouted, before being physically forced back into his seat by the S'aar, eyes finally showing emotion as it expressed its anger at the interruption.

By this stage, I'd had enough.

I didn't give a rat's arse that they were the leaders of their people.

Perhaps it was just losing so much, so quickly, or maybe I felt I had nothing left to lose.

Either way, I didn't care.

Bullshit is bullshit, on any planet.

Standing abruptly, I gave a loud cough, expecting the heated arguing to pause.

It didn't.

So I lost it.

"ENOUGH!" I roared, bracing both hands on the bench in front of me, and glaring at the lot of them.

"Jesus fucking Christ, what is wrong with you people! You're talking about taking on an entire world, just to pander to your own fucking ego!"

Into the shocked silence, all eyes on me as I stared them down, I continued in anger.

"Let me give you a bit of an insight into the people you're facing, here. Humans they are, and as a collective group, they can be a real bunch of arseholes. However, I don't see much better from the attitude here, enlightened lot you make out to be! You're talking about making a first strike? Fucks sake, people! They now have access to your portal technology, they know where YOU are, and within a short time, will be able to retaliate against you. Let me tell you, if you even THINK about fucking with them, they WILL fuck you back, without hesitation! You and your "peaceable civilization", my hairy human behind! So, stop with the dick pulling, and start with the reality check!! You have a choice. Deal with them, or fight against them! One is smart, the other genocide. Which do you want?"

Sitting down in disgust, I folded my arms and glared at the lot of them. K, whose mouth had hung in stunned silence at my outburst, finally shut it with a snap, giving me a hurried thumbs up under the table, along with a grin to match.

The silence didn't last long, however.

Standing angrily, hackles raised in fury, the gryphon general almost screamed a reply. "And what makes you think we'll sit here and take it, human!"

I met his eyes with contempt. "Nothing. Not a fucking thing! You want to go down in a flaming armageddon, go right ahead and keep frothing at the beak. You want to miss the opportunity to make a peaceful approach? Go right ahead! Then you can have a cock pulling match with the Earth authorities to see who has the biggest wang, winner takes all, and everyone the loser!"

The gryphon almost exploded, gripping the desk in front of him, and I thought it was all over then and there. Then the Krynn stood quietly, turning to the enraged creature, and said quietly "No shit, Marr! The human is right. Each time we deal with something like this, your attitude is to shoot first, question later. Personally, I find it boring and tiresome. We need a mediated approach to this, before anything else. So, sit down and shut your beak!"

The gryphon turned on his colleague, but the Krynn held his ground, staring the huge creature into submission. Grumbling deeply, he returned to his couch, eyeing me with an angry stare I was more than happy to return.

The Krynn turned to his colleagues, paying specific attention to the First Speaker.

"We need some expert intel on these humans. Until we get it, we're "all pulling our penises" as he so eloquently said. So, rather than postulate the things that might happen, based on information we don't have, let's instead get this information from the source; the humans here. Everything I've heard about them to date has shown they're willing and eager to help us. Perhaps we need to trust them a bit?"

The gryphon general muttered something unpleasant under his breath, and K shook his head. Saying a quiet "Same to you, arsehole", he was snarled at in return.

Turning to me, K whispered "Gryphon hearing" and I almost laughed, keeping my demeanor with difficulty.

The Krynn returned his gaze to us, again smiling his wolfish grin. "So, what do you suggest we do, human?"

Meeting the silent stare from the Quorum delegates, and giving a large grin in return, I breathed out heavily. "I'm glad you asked!", causing K to let out a chuckle which sounded throughout the room.

___________________

Things weren't decided overnight. Hell, they were barely decided at all. The debate raged well into the evening, before First Speaker put an end to the day's debate, tiredly expressing that we should all spend the evening deliberating, and the Quorum would resume first thing in the morning.

At least we were getting somewhere. Marr's desire for an armed approach had been shelved indefinitely, although the threat was still hovering over the discussions.

Shit, I was no diplomat, and K was no better, although he surprised us all on occasion!

I sold computers, for fucks sake! Here I was, on an alien planet, trying to sort out a first contact situation with my home world, who I knew were half crazy! But with a lot of work, not to mention support from the First speaker, the Krynn and, surprisingly the S'aar and K'lest, we hatched a plan to return to the planet, to see what could be done about forming a peace between us.

Exhausted, with eyelids drooping, K and I were lead from the building to our waiting vehicle by both the First Speaker and, surprisingly, the Krynn, who had taken a real liking to us for some unfathomable reason. Chatting amiably, and full of an enthusiasm I was having difficulty sharing, they left us at the car, and we returned to our rooms, collapsing in exhaustion. K was asleep before he'd even taken his shoes off, and I managed to stagger into the shower for a quick rinse before collapsing in my own bed.

Of course, tired as I was, sleep wouldn't come. Thoughts of the day's meeting churned through my head, and I couldn't help consider whether things could have gone better. Overlying everything was the dread at Pyre's fate; Where are you, big guy? Are you OK? Are you safe?

Finally, exhaustion won over, and I slipped into a dreamless sleep.

_______________

I woke early the next day to the sun streaming through the window, and K's loud snoring coming from the bed adjacent. Throwing a pillow at his head to shut him up, he groggily opened an eye, glaring at me through the bright haze.

"Turn that fucking morning down before I come over there and do it for ya!" he muttered, rising stiffly to scan the room fuzzily.

I chuckled, ready to throw another pillow at him, when I was stopped by a knock at the door. Throwing a sheet across my naked shoulders, I opened it to meet the startled stare of a young gryphon messenger, who passed me an envelope with eyes everted, before making a hasty retreat down the hallway.

Chuckling, I returned to the bedroom, dropping onto the lounge still stiff and sore from the long session the previous day. K joined me, a glass of green liquid in each hand, one of which he passed me before joining me on the couch. Eyebrow raised, he looked at the envelope as I sipped the drink; something tangy and fruity, tasting a bit like kiwifruit mixed with melon; and I shrugged my shoulders, settling back to open the envelope with a frown.

It was a memo from the Quorum. They were to spend the morning deliberating, and requested we rejoin them in the early afternoon, at the 12th cycle.

Shit. A long wait to discover the fate of two civilisations.

K shrugged again, and said "Dude, shit happens! We've done what we can. It's up to them now" and I nodded in reply tiredly.

"So, what do we do this morning, then?" I asked, and he chuckled, saying "Well, I want to eat! Let's get some breakfast!"

I could only agree.

I never functioned especially well on an empty stomach.

The planet operated on a 20 "hour" day, although they called them "cycles", rather than hours. Using K's watch, we'd worked out earlier that a day here was approximately 27 hour on Earth, which may have accounted for the ongoing feeling of "jet lag" we seemed to be experiencing.

Mykos had chosen to continue his duties as guide, which we appreciated greatly, and he met us at the downstairs entry to the apartment block at 7th cycle. K slapped paws with him companionably, the gryphon having taken to the gesture with a laugh.

While still offering his protection, he remained relaxed about us, and it became apparent soon enough that he had little concern we'd "do something bad". Asking him if he wanted to join us for breakfast, he nodded eagerly and, after taking his advice on board, we found ourselves at a small multi species eatery located a few blocks away.

With K and I seated in a booth with our backs against the rear wall, he dropped to his haunches at the tables free end, as the female human hostess asked us for our order. I looked to the gryphon for advice, as he scanned the menu, before raising an eyebrow towards us.

"Any preference, or do you want me to order?" he asked in a deep voice.

I looked to K, who shrugged with a grin. "Lead on, McDuff!" I said, and he chuckled, returning to the girl and quickly rattling off his selection.

She smiled at us, before turning her back. K followed her with his eyes intently, before being nudged by the gryphon, who whispered "Not as cute as a gryphon's arse, huh, K", to which he turned beetroot red, and I rolled back laughing hysterically!

Mykos grinned broadly, ears high, and we kept the conversation on simpler things, waiting for the meal to arrive.

It was brought out in a surprisingly short time, plates of steaming food spread across the table top. The gryphon eagerly detailed the various qualities of each dish, pointing out the different ingredients with a sharp claw. One in particular, which he described as "A savory dish, spicy enough to burn your tail feathers off" had us raising an eye to him in surprise. When asked, K said "Pyre told us gryphon's don't like spicy food?" to which he laughed uproariously.

"Not like spicy? Shit, we know our meal isn't seasoned properly when our arsehole stops burning!" and we shared a laugh companionably.

The morning passed quickly, Mykos being great company, and a surprisingly good judge of what we'd enjoy doing. Avoiding the more culturally correct places, like the museums and art galleries, he took us to the gryphon equivalent of a video arcade; total immersion VR being the modern equivalent.

It was amazing; just like being there!

Or, as K put it, "just like being somewhere else other than an alien planet, in another dimension, surrounded by gryphon, furries and other freaky shit!"

Typical K subtlety. I shouldn't expect anything else, really.

Finally, as the time arrived to rejoin the Quorum, Mykos lead us back to the administration complex. I'd become increasingly nervous as the morning progressed, worrying as to the fate of our friends, not to mention our home planet, but the gryphon seemed cheerful as to the outcome, clapping me on the back encouragingly.

"That general, Marr? He's a prick at times, actually. Had plenty of my own run-ins with him over the years, and they're never enjoyable. First Speaker has him under control alright. I'd comment on the human, but, well, he's an arsehole, too, I'm sorry to say. Least the Krynn is backing you. Between him, First and the S'aar, they hold a majority stake in the outcome, and First will always back the cautious approach, you'll see. I reckon you're a safe bet for returning home with help"

I smiled at the guy, thanking him for his concern, and he shrugged it off with a grin.

"Hey, you guys are alright" he said, clapping us on the backs with a wink.

I looked at him with some relief "Let's hope the others think the same", and he sobered, nodding in reply.

______________

On our return to the Quorum chambers, we were met with silence as we took our seats with trepidation. At least the general wasn't looking happy, which I thought could only bode well for our case.

First cleared his throat, and began his summary of their deliberations with a small smile.

"Well, you two have certainly made our morning interesting, to say the least. We haven't had this sort of debate raging in the council chambers since... well since the Krynn sought admittance to the Alliance 600 years ago" and he nodded at his colleague, who returned the attention with a huge grin.

"Regardless, the council was split in its decision. Obviously, we are keenly aware of the military risk in approaching your home world ill prepared, but by the same token, your kind represent a huge opportunity to advance our own culture, if it's deemed appropriate for you kind to join us. So, we have a tied decision"

I looked to K for a moment, and received a shrug in return.

First smiled briefly, and continued. "However, as acting chairperson for the quorum, it falls to me to cast the deciding vote, and I have done so in favour of approaching your kind directly, and peacefully, on the hope that level heads will rule"

K began to cheer, interrupting the proceedings, and I smiled briefly, before pulling him down with a hand over his mouth.

"This isn't finished, dude" I hissed, and he stopped his jubilation immediately, resuming his seat in silence.

First coughed, meeting my eye with a smile. "Don't worry, little human. Things are all well. The decision has been made, and it only falls to how we plan on implementing it. Specifically, who are we going to send with you to meet with your leaders?"

Us?

Did he say "Us?"

K looked a bit stunned, turning to me for an explanation, and I shook my head slightly, whispering "Dunno?"

"Don't worry, we won't be sending you alone. We've decided to have two of our people accompany you, to provide the authority with which to speak to your kind. We only need to decide whom to send."

The Krynn rose, giving us a toothy grin, before committing himself. "I will travel with the humans, First Speaker. My duties here are light at present, and I feel a short break will do my constitution good. Besides, I think I can provide a balance between the needs of our people, and those of safety and security" he stated, before resuming his seat.

First nodded, as the Quorum delegates buzzed in hushed dialogue.

The Gryphon general then made to rise, clearly intending to offer himself for the journey, but was stopped by a glance from First, who shook his head placating at the suddenly angry gryphon.

"No, my friend. While your council on this mission would be invaluable, think of the risk! You hold comprehensive knowledge of our tactical and military resources. Should you be held captive, it would give an enemy an unfair advantage against us. I appreciate your courage, but cannot risk your safety in this way"

The general pondered for a moment, before resuming his seat, obviously conflicted by the mixed praise.

Thankfully, he didn't see the sly look First passed to his colleagues, while the Krynn gave us a careful wink.

"So, the decision as to a second ambassador remains. Who should we chose?" said First.

Surprising everyone, K stood up and said to the assembled council "How about Mykos? He has the training, I'd imagine?"

The council looked at each other, eyes wide, before turning to stare at the general, who had resumed his thunderous appearance.

"You want to take MY son with you, humans?" he spoke into the ensuing silence, and K raised an eyebrow, before looking down at me in surprise. I shrugged my shoulders in return. Hell, who knew?

K turned to the general, before continuing "Can you think of anyone else who would have your best interests at heart?" he said with a smile, which made the general start, before looking thoughtful. After a moment, with a final nod in agreement, the council relaxed in obvious relief, the danger averted for the present.

First cleared his throat again. "The final dilemma is how we approach your people. With the volatility of the situation such that I'd rather you were all not shot upon arrival, we need a plan on how you contact the appropriate people once you arrive."

Clearing his throat again, K rose and spoke.

"Umm, Sir? I have an idea?" he said, and First nodded for him to continue.

"Well, we could always contact my father. He might be able to help?"

The council began muttering again, Marr giving K a derisive glance, before leaning forward and challenging sarcastically.

"And how do you think your obviously illustrious parent can help us in this situation, human?" he spoke with contempt.

That's when K dropped the bombshell.

Pulling at his collar nervously, he replied "Umm, well he's actually the head of the United Nations Special services, Sir. They represent the governments of the entire planet. He has direct access to the UN General Assembly, and would be able to gain us direct, and confidential, access to the Secretary General."

The quorum council dropped into stunned silence, before I managed to gain some composure, turning to K and hissing loudly.

"Why the hell didn't you tell me this before?"

He shrugged, before drawing himself up and giving me a steely eye, in marked contrast to his normal attitude.

"Well, his position is classified, D, and you didn't need to know. Dave, I'm sorry, but sometimes you're... well... just too casual about these things!"

I think my jaw hit the floor a second time, and I was surprised the sound didn't echo throughout the chamber. Just as I was about to thump the little hypocrite, best friend or not, First brought us back to the subject at hand.

"I take it he is someone important in your government, then?" and K nodded solemnly.

First turned to the other quorum members, meeting the eyes of each in turn, before receiving a nod from each delegate in reply. Even the gryphon general gave reluctant approval, albeit with a glare at K, who wilted somewhat under the attention.

Giving us a smile, which was shared by the Krynn, First gave his ruling.

"Well, humans, it seems like you've gotten your wish. We will return you to your world, accompanied by Speaker Tass of the Krynn, and security chief Mykos. All four of you have the full diplomatic authority of the Quorum, with any decision you make backed by this council on your return."

He leaned forward, mood darkening as his ears flattened, and regarded us solemnly.

"However, understand, our responsibility in protecting our own people remains. You will have seven of your days in which to complete the task, after which I will have no alternative than to refer the matter to the military. Should the humans on your world choose not to be responsive, the action that may follow will be immediate, and final."

We nodded at him solemnly, aware of the tight satisfied smile from the general as he fixated on us.

Shit.

The fate of the world was just dumped in our laps, and we had a week to achieve the impossible; getting the human race to agree on something!

Pressure? What pressure?

Continued in Chapter 9: Homeward bound.