Chapter 12 - The Welcome - Part 3

Following the abrupt battle, the alien moved with an air of nonchalance, gathering the unconscious form of Hal with a gentle touch that was at odds with his previously displayed power. He manipulated the atmosphere around Hal, causing him to float in the air with a tender grace. The alien then placed him near the other heroes.

His task completed, the alien straightened and swept his gaze over the heroes assembled before him. His eyes, two pools of an unknown cosmic energy, lingered on each one, making them feel as though they were being meticulously assessed, evaluated. The alien's gaze was heavy, almost palpable, pressing onto each individual like a weight. It gave the impression of an entity capable of unraveling the deepest secrets, the most hidden truths with a mere glance.

Afterwards, the alien, Orach, composed himself. He stood tall, surveying those present. Upon closer inspection, an odd device attached to the left side of his head was noticeable. This device, with a small screen, continuously displayed numbers and data. The data on the screen constantly altered, seemingly scanning the individuals present on the battlefield. Each change on the screen corresponded to Orach's shifting gaze, indicating he was analyzing each individual. The device seemed to be an integral part of Orach, assisting him in understanding the strengths and capabilities of the beings he encountered.

Once his silent appraisal was completed, he nodded to himself, a subtle movement that nonetheless captured the attention of everyone present. The atmosphere was charged with anticipation as they waited for him to break the silence.

"Firstly, I would like to say that my actions were in response to this so-called space policeman's actions," the alien began, his voice echoing throughout the area. His words were delivered in a calm, approachable tone that was strikingly different from the aggressive display they had just witnessed. "I never had any intention of initiating an offensive move against any of you."

The unexpected twist of events left the heroes stunned. Even more so when they processed his words, a wave of incredulity washed over them. They had all witnessed the alien's clear dismissal of Hal Jordan's demand for identification, not once but twice. It was Hal's duty as a Green Lantern to ensure the safety of his sector and his actions were justified. However, the alien's calm and seemingly sincere explanation cast a shadow of doubt, causing them to question their initial assessment. This was not a battle between good and evil, but a complex situation that required careful consideration.

At this moment, the caped figure known as Batman took the initiative to steer the conversation. He asked, his voice a low rumble echoing in the battlefield, "If what you say holds truth, then why did you brush off Hal Jordan's request to identify yourself?"

The alien paused, his face contorting in confusion as if he were taken aback by the question. "Huh? Wait, what?" he replied, his voice lined with genuine bewilderment. A moment later, he followed up, his confusion giving way to a blank look that sent a wave of unease rippling through the battle field. "Are you being serious right now?"

Feeling the change in the mood, Batman spoke in a more respectful tone. "There could have been a miscommunication between us. Could you tell if Hal offended you in any way when he made those inquiries?"

The alien let out a sigh, his eyes narrowing in thought. "Haah...you lot are really serious. Have you never interacted with beings from the higher realms before?" he asked, his tone laced with a hint of exasperation.

"Higher realms? As in higher dimensions?" Batman shot back, his voice carrying a note of curiosity.

"Yes, you could call it that," the alien affirmed, his tone more patient now.

"We have not encountered a being like you who hails from a higher dimension before. In fact, we have no understanding of these higher dimensions you speak of," Batman confessed, his gaze never wavering from the alien.

"Now I see where the problem lies," the alien mused, his arms folding across his chest as he adopted a thoughtful pose.

"Well, considering you have never interacted with a higher realm being, I can forgive his offense. Ignorance can't be blamed, but you must be careful moving forward. Just because I mean no harm, it doesn't mean you'll always meet a friendly individual from the higher dimensions," he advised, his words heavy with caution.

"Let me introduce myself. I am Orach, from the mighty Saiyan race - a warrior race. Specifically, I come from the God branch of our race from Planet Sadala. Our race's history spans countless millennia. We have been the protectors of worlds who are part of the Galactic Alliance, as the head of the Alliance military. I serve as a Science Officer under the direct command of the Division Captain of the Sadala Strategic Division, titled Empress Gula. For your reference, the Division Captains form the ruling council of our branch of the Saiyan race. Each one possesses power enough to destroy worlds if angered. However, as the descendants of the Saiyan God who brought forth peace in our realm, our side of the Saiyan race is inherently peaceful," Orach explained, his tone steady and calm.

He paused, giving everyone present some time to digest the information he had just unloaded onto them.

From what Orach revealed, everyone was taken aback by the fact that this powerful individual was primarily a scientist. This revelation was a blow to the heavy hitters in their group like Superman, Aquaman, Cyborg, Hawkman, and Hawkgirl. They considered themselves quite powerful - but to be outclassed by a scientist? It was a difficult pill to swallow. Other facts, like the existence of higher dimensions, the Galactic Alliance, the existence of Division Captains capable of destroying worlds, were equally hard to comprehend. The fact that he claimed his people were inherently peaceful was utterly baffling, given the ruthless actions they had witnessed from him.

"Hello, Orach," Batman finally broke the silence, his voice echoing slightly in the chamber. "Can you explain what Hal's offense was, in your perspective?"

"Oh!" Orach exclaimed, a hint of realization flickering in his eyes. "Like I said, I am part of the God branch, and not just any member. I hail from a direct descendant bloodline. We are sensitive towards beings who approach us with arrogance, despite their insignificance in comparison," he replied matter-of-factly.

This response sent shockwaves through the battle field. It was clear now - this person was dangerous, extremely dangerous. The fact that he considered Hal an ant indicated his lack of regard for the inhabitants of this world. Batman realized the gravity of the situation - they had to tread very carefully around Orach.

Diana, however, was not ready to back down just yet. She took a step forward, her gaze never wavering from Orach's. A spark of defiance ignited in her eyes and her voice was tinged with a hint of anger as she posed her question. "If we are considered as mere ants in your eyes, then why has someone of your stature descended to our plane?" she demanded, her words echoing throughout the battle field.

Orach's expression softened. He seemed genuinely baffled by the question. "Honestly, I have no clue," he admitted, his voice laced with a confusion that mirrored his expression. "You see, our realm's peace has been threatened by the emergence of an Evil God. This entity possesses the power to corrupt life. Once corrupted, the living beings turn into berserk killing machines who can't even recognize their loved ones. We're currently engaged in a war against this Evil God and his horde of corrupted individuals. I, myself, have fought in the war, but I was injured. The last thing I remember was being rushed to a Med pod to recover. The next thing I knew, I woke up here in that Attack pod spaceship."

His honesty was disarming. His confusion was palpable, etched clearly on his face. Diana felt a strange tug at her heartstrings. This alien's words were infuriating, but there was no malice in them. She started to understand that the miscommunication here was due to perspective. This person meant no harm, but he was looking at things through the eyes of the incomprehensibly powerful and someone who comes from a higher plane of existence.

Diana, along with the others, also noted that Orach's people seemed to be warriors who protected peace, if his words were to be believed. The revelation of a war in his plane against an Evil God was shocking to them. He had fought and been injured in this war. They couldn't begin to imagine the scale and magnitude of that conflict.

After a minute, Orach regained his composure. His features softened as he continued, "Anyway, like I mentioned before, I mean no harm, and I am willing to cooperate with your world as well. I prefer creating friends rather than enemies. Until I understand how to return to my plane, I would like to integrate with your civilization and live among you. For that, I would need friends and appreciate your support. To show my sincerity, here is my gesture of goodwill."

As he finished, he released the pressure he had exerted on all present. It was a tangible shift; the heavy air lightened instantly, as if a great weight had been lifted. The intensity in his eyes softened, replaced with a sincere plea for understanding and acceptance. It was a moment of truth, a raw and intimate exchange that bridged the gap between two vastly different worlds.