Another Stupid Isekai

- Fuck! Fuck! FUCK! - I yelled.

I wanted to punch something, but since there was nothing really around, I just hit the ground. There was a dull thud, and vibrations spread from the point of impact to a point of dust felling from the ceiling.

That thing was playing games with me, and I just couldn't stop participating.

- You better watch, cause one day I'm gonna get you - I mumbled to myself.

Then I stood up, to get some food. A couple of sleepy people went outside alarmed by the noise I made, but they pretty quickly returned. With a filled belly, I felt a bit better, still angry though.

I had no idea how much time I had before the portal will reopen, and I didn't really know what to do with myself, so I ended up going for a walk. A short one, as suddenly I walked to the strange lab of Xuvi.

- Welcome back, Peter. - Shu'ah Oot Atso Yeingem greeted me.

For a moment I was disoriented. Struck by the sudden change of my surroundings. Especially the white light produced by lamps, which felt so artificial.

The whole facility was empty except for him. The sheer amount of machinery, strange devices, and objects was a bit overwhelming compared to the architecture of a ruined city.

- Did you enjoy your gift? - he asked me with his empty, emotionless voice.

- Yes - I answered, finally putting myself together.

I quickly realized something. One of my anchors was gone. The one I left in the other world, in the place where Alexandra found me. "Son of a bitch" - I thought to myself.

- I believe it would be appropriate now to discuss our further cooperation - said Shu'ah.

- Fine, what do you want from me.

- Follow me, please.

He turned around and started heading towards the exit. I went after him. It was pretty dark outside, except for the artificial light on the buildings. Reds, greens, and whites. We stepped on the platform, and then flew back, in front of the same building, he brought me before. We got inside.

The view was exactly the same. A beach and see behind the window, low table, beige couch, and armchairs. Just a nice living room.

He sat on the same spot as previously, so did I.

- To continue our research we need crystals - he pointed out. - If you could provide us with sufficient amounts, we believe that discovering the secrets of not only the seed but also saplings and trees would be possible. We could grant you power equal to Yashasvee'mies. Power to rival with The Great One.

- You want me to eventually kill them?

- Yes. That being is a threat to both our races. If we want to be free, we need to get rid of the tyrant.

- So the plan is that I bring you crystals, you hack that thing, grant me power, then I kill whatever that thing is, yes? Why don't you grant the power to yourself?

- We are not soldiers. We are scientists. Fighting is not part of our nature - he responded with his usual, emotionless voice.

It was slowly driving me nuts, and his expressionless face covered with feathers was not helping. I felt like I'm talking with AI, not a person, which, by the way, could be very well the case. Besides that, his answer felt a bit fishy. They subdued Bahumdabar's in the past, which meant they had their ways. I didn't point that out though, just to not make him too suspicious of me.

- I can understand that. I hope you will be also able to understand my position, as I want to inform my people about our deal.

- That is very unwise, as such action will bring the attention of The Great One upon us.

- I'm gonna tell only a few trusted people.

- That is a far better proposition, but still unwise.

- I'm afraid it's nonnegotiable. I'm done with lying.

Shu'ah froze. I braced myself for something unexpected, as my heart rate increased.

- No more than five people, and the location of our hideous must remain a secret. Furthermore, we will be in contact with only you - he said suddenly.

- Ok. I can agree with that.

- And they have to keep discussions among themselves about our existence to an absolute minimum.

- Ok.

- Now let's discuss the number of crystals. We would like to receive double of what you brought in the span of sixty days. I believe that's something possible for you.

- I can do that, yes. How close it will bring you to the end of your research?

He didn't answer right away.

- The research might take years, but such an amount would allow us to sustain it for several months. Then we will be able to give more detailed data, and maybe even ascertain with a bigger precision how much time we need.

- So that's just the beginning?

- Yes. Do you have any other questions?

I thought to myself for a moment. There was one thing that was bugging me.

- Why do you look so different from each other?

- Our species was under heavy experimentation under the rule of Yashasvee'mies. That's why we are very diverse and prone to mutations.

- Can you reproduce normally?

- Yes. Our species is different in this aspect from yours, as we can freely change our sex. Is that all?

- Y-yeah. I guess it is all.

- Very well. Let me escort you to your possessions and the exit. C-27 is already awaiting you.

He stood up and went outside. I followed. We got back to my cart, which seemed to be unmoved. I grabbed the handles and started pulling, as Shu'ah entered the brightly lighted room. Inside awaited for me both Lott and Moozo, with Ki'rei. She smiled as soon as she saw me. I smiled too.

She bolted straight at me, to hug my legs. I petted her on the head. With the corner of my eye, I noticed as Lott twitched a bit.

- Hello - she said.

- Hello Ki'rei. Hop on the cart.

She nodded and did just that. I made it to the short corridor, and without any goodbyes, the doors closed behind me.

- How was it? - she asked me immediately.

- What?

- Your home? Was it fun?

- Oh... Y-yeah. It was fun.

I kept walking, reaching the elevator, and she made it take us aboveground.

- Tell me everything. I want to know everything!

- W-well... I had to travel a lot to find my home, so there was very little time. I told everybody that I was ok and actually had to go back, to make it in time to return.

- That sucks -  she said, which made me look over my shoulder.

- Who... Never mind. You shouldn't learn such things.

- Why?

- Because you are too y... Never mind.

- You are so strange...

We finally reached outside, shortly after our conversation ended.

- I'm gonna shadow walk us to the city, so turn into a chicken, and then hide, ok?

She sighed but did what I asked her for. Then I left the anchor close to the elevator. The one which was removed by The Great Asshole from where I put it previously.

We shadow walked back to the city. The alley where I left the third anchor, to be precise.. She immediately jumped off the cart and ran away to vanish between buildings.