Interlude: Quran

Marveling at the amphibious coral city of Wedena and its brilliance, bioluminescence was breathtaking. Spiraling structures that were grown instead of built seamlessly stretched towards the early morning sky. Smaller crablike creatures about the size of his fist busied themselves with the cleaning of the streets and the building. Eating away any debris that was caught in the city's transition from ocean to terrestrial juggernaut. The sidewalks were smooth and organized, he was thankful they forewarned him of the slippery nature of the walkways during the city's transition. Special shoes kept him upright as he marched proudly towards his goal. The first commuters of the morning emerge from their homes, tall thin beings between two and three meters with a smooth and surprisingly dry-looking scale-covered skin. They wore form-fitting clothing that clung to their long lean bodies. Each being with two pairs of probing eyes regarded him coolly as they carried on with their duties of the day. Quran knew they all were aware of his presence and the reason why he was there. Some of the little ones smiled and wave while some pointed, he could hear the murmurs start to rise as the waters receded.

Focusing his thoughts on the task to come, making his way towards the capital building along with four heavily armed bodyguards accompanying. The women were from the Tal'Dar system, the absolute best he was assured. Ever since they had arrived, he had noticed how serious they had become, quiet, confident, and no doubt, absolutely deadly. A contrast of the playful women he had gotten to know on their three-month voyage. Now they marched around him in a tight protective formation, their weapons glowed with a malicious purpose. Who could blame them he thought, they were literally in the midst of their people's most hated enemy? An enemy whom they have been in one conflict or another for over three thousand years. Over the last twenty-five years, there has been relative peace; but peace between the two races has historically been nothing more than a prelude to a larger upcoming conflict, always worse than the last.

"I don't think that's a sign of welcome", Quarn said feeling his pulse raise a tick. Keara waved her hand dismissively of the comment.

"Keep your eyes forward sir, don't give them an excuse," Keara said, the woman to his left. A language synthesizer that was integrated into her helmet translated her language to his home language while she spoke seamlessly. Keara was the superior of the group; the other three women kept a silent vigilance. With a slight nod, Quarn acknowledges the order as they strode through the streets of the city. Being prepped earlier on how things could go, he knew why they wanted them to talk through the main street towards the capital building. They wanted to intimidate him, to shake him, to make him feel like he was not in control. Approaching the main building the humidity seemed to get noticeably heavier, which made it feel like he was breathing in water more than air. Keeping his focus on the task at hand they strode up the oversized steps designed for taller longer-legged beings. The city itself seemed to become agitated as the bioluminescence light throbbed like a rapid heartbeat as a response to their intrusion

The Massive door, grown from more coral more colorful and festive than the rest of the city. Its. frame made of thick bone covered with clusters of barnacles, its feather-like appendages flicking out to capture any creature small enough to engulf. Keara signaled two of the others to open the door as she moved in front of Quran and the fourth stood behind with him back-to-back, weapons drawn. Feeling a lump gather in his throat as the massive door swung open, one guard filled the opening to take the point, while the other holding the door open covering the lead warrior. A strong order bellowed from the open maw, a smell of overripe oysters and chum. filling his nostrils with pungent ripe odor, instantly regretting not wearing a protective helmet with its self-contained oxygen supply. Knowing his behavior was being watched and judged he didn't bat an eye as they walked forward into the dark ribbed corridor.