This is a sequel to Venus Ascending and continues the story. This story can stand alone, but it will make more sense if you read Venus Ascending. I appreciate any comments both on the previous story and its sequel. OuPa99
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Chapter 5
The alien airlock opened up into a huge room, with the ceiling easily nine or ten feet tall. The walls look like some kind of white marble, but he knew it was some kind of substance he had never seen. Marble would never work in a spaceship. Adorning the walls were shields with coat of arms painted on them. There were floor to ceiling warrior statues, also against the walls, festooned with decorative armor and weaponry.
The six aliens that greeted John created a triangular phalanx formation or an armored wedge. They towered over John and his guess was that all the aliens were all over 7 feet tall. John assumed the Warrior in front to be their leader. Each had identical armor that consisted of chain-mail sleeves stretched tightly over their bulging muscular arms. A short vest that seemed to be made of some very supple leather was wrapped around their shoulders. The vest appeared to be more ornamental, because it barely covered warrior's chests and each was adorned with different insignias.
They were humanoid, with ripped and muscle-bound torsos bare from their upper chest to their loincloth. Their skin color varied from a reddish hew to a darker maroon and there didn't seem to be a gram of fat on anyone in the entire group. Their entire warrior's waists are wrapped in a bright blue loincloth, leaving their tree-trunk like legs bare. Their feet were covered in a high top leather sneaker.
Their faces were western movie star rugged and handsome; however, the horns on their head gave them a more devilish appearance. The horns were curved towards the center of their head and varied in length, with the longest being no more than 4 inches. With their thin and pointed ears tight against their head, it all added to their devil-like appearance.
The creatures that greeted John on the other side of the airlock seem to be the perfect humanoid warrior. Just like their ship they were bristling with armament. Each of the warriors seethed with herculean muscles that seemed coiled and ready to spring into action in a moment's notice. The entire greeting party carried a katana-like sword around their waist as well as some kind of projectile weapon. Each also carried some kind of a spear or staff weapon.
None of the space invaders had a smile on their face, only a threatening look that said, "Don't fuck with me!" This was in stark contrast to their stunningly handsome faces. With their red skin, pointed ears and horns, John felt like he was dealing with a race of devils.
John couldn't help smiling at the situation. It was like central casting on a movie set had designed what these devilish, alien space invaders should look like. Their mere presence was intimidating and at the same time Adonis-like in their allure. With this analysis he suddenly realized there may be an opportunity here.
John checked the atmospheric gauges in his suit and realized the atmosphere inside the ship was breathable. The air had slightly more oxygen, less nitrogen and a few trace gases that earth doesn't have. He held up his hands in surrender and then slowly moved to unlock his helmet. As he removed his helmet he can see the posture of the warriors relax a bit.
With his arms outstretched and palms up John said, "Welcome to earth and the space station Venus ascending. My name is John and I am the representative of the space station Venus Ascending."
A few seconds after he said the a translation echo through the hall. The language sounded very guttural like a mixture of German, Dutch and Afrikaans. The leader then responded and after a momentary delay their translation device said, "My name is Bahati and I lead this ship. We are here to offer our services in your battle with the planet below!"
John's had a quizzical confused look on his face as he asked, "What battle? We are a pleasure station, devoted to rest, relaxation and fulfilling any desire for those willing to pay the price."
After the translation echoed through the chamber, John could see a momentary glimpse of, what he assumed was, confusion on the leaders face. Obviously not ready to give up on the chance of a battle, the leader spoke again. After the now customary delay in translation John heard, "We observed large detonations on the planet below and several spaceships explode in space. We can discuss our price later, but we are here to offer our services in your battle with the planet below."
He now understood these were alien mercenaries looking for a battle and payment. John tried to give an ingratiating smile as he said, "Our battle for sovereignty was finished over one rotation around the sun ago. Our purpose has always been to provide pleasure and relaxation for wayward travelers from space or the planet below. Where are you from?"
Bahati pondered for a moment and finally responded, "We are originally from a world called Jagjeet. In our language it means conqueror of everything. We are soldiers and have been looking for a place to practice our trade. We have not been home in over five of your earth years."
John thought of soldiers away from home for five years and thought maybe a deal could be struck. He rubbed his chin and asked, "Would you and your crew care to come aboard and see the pleasures we can offer?"
When the translation echoed through the chamber, John could see the alien's posture slump. The leader turned around and the group formed scrum as they began conversing. The translator picked up some of the conversations and it became obvious to John that they came here wanting a good fight, as well as, compensation. Now that it appears that they were not going to get their fight or money, they seemed unsure of their mission.
While they were still in their scrum, John renewed his offer, "We wish to make friends with everyone. May I please show you the pleasures that our station has to offer?"
All of their conversation stopped and the leader turned to face John. As he spoke John waited for the translation, "We are similar humanoids, but different species. We will gladly see what your station has to offer. What kind of pleasures are you talking about?"
John gulped down his fear and responded, "We have food, drink, liquor, drugs, entertainment and sex. However, we are always adding new pleasures, depending on what our customers require. We don't know what your pleasures might be, but we can see if we might come to some kind of arraignment."
Bahati nodded his head towards the rest of the command group. All of the greeting party moved to a locker, where all but two, stored all their weapons except for the sword around their waist. Then they opened another locker, each alien grabbed a small device and stuck the device on their back. The leader turned to John and said, "We will go now."
John saw a shimmering around each alien and assumed the devices were some kind of force field that allowed them freedom in space. He shrugged and reattached his helmet before entering the airlock. All the aliens followed him into the airlock. He felt so small surrounded by the massive aliens, but kept his resolve. The airlock cycled and the outer door opened revealing the star filled blackness of space.
John used his retro jets to maneuver out of the doorway and towards the Space station Venus/ He glanced behind him and confirmed that all the aliens were following him. He tried to see how they were maneuvering, but could see nothing. He could only assume that in addition to protecting them from the harshness of space, the devices on their back also provided directional guidance.
With his helmet on, John began relaying the information to the council, "Hey everyone! It appears to be all good news. The ship that arrived appears to be full of mercenaries that came here to help us in our battle with the earth below. I explained to them that they are about a year too late and they were a little bit disgruntled. However, I think I see an opportunity here."
"I really think we can provide rest, relaxation and recreation for the space going crew. I have yet to figure out if they can pay and what they can pay, but I think they might be interested. So I would like the Council to meet me in the airlock and we can greet our visitors. Next, I would like to show them around and maybe titillate them with some of the shows."
"There is one minor difficulty, their looks. These aliens look more like devils than they do humans. There are approximately 7 foot tall with reddish skin and horns, but we might be able to strike some deals with them. So keep an open mind and let's see what transpires. Does anybody have any questions?"
Nobody answered, so John disconnected the radio. After he turned off the radio John hoped that bringing the aliens into the Space Station was the right decision.