Juvo watched the planet get near his ship, from his perspective. It was a splendid green orb categorised by the humans as a superearth. A dense atmosphere, rocky terrain, and oceans of liquid water (most probably) characterised it's appearance. Surrounding the planet were asteroids and planetoids that were identified as moons. There were in total seven of them in stable orbits.

One might expect an advanced race to have space stations around their planets, but Gadiem Von had none. Here, the inhabitants had excelled their technology in bettering themselves- that is, their bodies. Technological advancements were veiled by their organic appearances which caused the ignorant less developed life forms of the other planets of the solar system to think of them manipulating things... by magic, as the actions couldn't be placed logically in the classical sense.

From his research, Juvo had learnt that the planet had Major Gods and normal inhabitants. Major Gods were the wise ones who had chosen to use their acquired powers to help sow the seeds of knowledge and advancement in the technologically less developed planets. A smarter solar system would surely operate better when working unitedly. The normal inhabitants did other work that was restricted to the land and they did not require leaving it. They led normal lives. To them, ships entering and leaving their planet was an everyday affair. These ships belonged to other civilisations beyond their solar system that traded goods and other necessities with them.

But their race did not require ships. Their bodies had built in technology to travel in outer space without it.

Juvo admired how different one civilisation could be from the other, being developed entirely independent of one another. But these secondary Gods had chosen to hasten the process and teach the other developed forms of life occupying their solar system, in their own way. As it was all done while keeping in mind working as a single civilisation, there was nothing wrong in it ethically.

In the traditional sense, humans had visitors from outside that gave them gifts of knowledge in exchange for their loyalty, and worshipping them as superior beings. These Gods were planet hoppers that went from planet to planet for the fun of it, and educating countless civilisations with the basic knowledge that they would require to develop further.

But witnessing their impressive technologies, these primordial civilisations regarded these other worldly beings to have divine powers (some even called it magic) as they couldn't yet understand the technology they used.

Over the centuries they turned into myths; and being orally transferred from generation to generation they changed with time- with spacecraft becoming chariots and what not. A high probability was there that people mixed their own beliefs into the stories and further changed them. As Gods could do 'anything' it was not doubted by anyone, as nobody could prove what was being told.

Superstitions arose from their 'godly' powers and corrupted what could have been a perfect civilisation, for it birthed beings whose races bore the emblem of evil in their blood. Many civilisations ended themselves in war. But those that survived knew balance and continued on in prosperity (more or less).

But many such knowledge gifting races couldn't be traced till date. Many longed to meet the Gods they had worshipped for so long, after developing interstellar travel, but they seemed to have disappeared.

Perhaps their fate ended them in a war too. Or perhaps they had transcended somewhere beyond...

A smile tugged at a corner of Juvo's face. He was going to redefine the meaning of being a God.

__________

A few minutes past, and the ship was already stabilising it's orbit around the planet. With perfect synchronisation of speed of the craft and gravitational pull of the planet, it assumed a constant height from ground level.

At the moment, there was no other craft in orbit. Also, as cameras were non-existent on this planet, Juvo could easily slip through. What he had to be conscious about- he reminded himself from time to time- was his composure around the inhabitants.

With all his followers, he boarded a pod which had indented lined gaps going around the exterior. The panels detached from that section, acting as doors. The nearly egg-shaped vessel exited from the rear of his ship and shot downwards as a comet, flares igniting it's front moments later. The burning of it's thick plating, metal clashing, engines rattling- all indicated the high degree of density of Gadiem Von's atmosphere. The acceleration was proof that the planet had quite some gravity. Juvo felt relieved when he remembered he had brought LAAVs with him.

Back on the ship, the robots kept it in orbit, awaiting further instructions.

Past the windows, through the flares he made out soft lines in the canvas of the sky. The faint green indicated the ammonia content. They all had space masks so it wasn't a problem.

They felt a strong push downwards, causing them to sink deep into their seats. The thrusters had fired. They were about to land. Juvo looked outside. Just like the pictures...

For as far as he could see, nothingness stretched with the complexion of cream. A graininess in it revealed itself as they touched down. With their heads bobbing in the wind were local cacti and other desert vegetation in certain places. No animals could be seen.

The doors opened. Juvo came to the edge of the craft, but did not hop down. He sat and slid out. The land pulled him onto it. His feet dug quite some centimetres into the soil. The others followed in a similar fashion.

As gravity was so strong, it was a challenge to jump down. Almost any physically strenuous act would put quite some load on their muscles so they needed to avoid using them as much as they could.

The LAAVS dropped down from the cargo hold and managed to stay afloat, somehow, despite the crushing pull of gravity.

Slinging their backpacks over their shoulders, they each hopped on a vehicle. Revving the engines, they raced forward, in search of a village. A village of these secondary Gods.

__________

Hands surged energy into the ground, forming holes and seeds sowed in them one by one. The miraculous wonder was a marvel of technology. A technology not understood by anyone but the inhabitants of Gadiem Von. They led normal lives like all civilisations did in the old days. But they had enhanced their lives, their society, unlike others who had unnecessarily complicated everything. They were blissful in isolation. Though the others knew about them, few visited Gadiem Von. For they liked it that way.

But now when Juvo was here, there was no one to notice his presence. He watched in wonder from the shadows of the trees, the miracles that unfolded before his very eyes. These suits that the inhabitants had made, along with the inbuilt machinery in their bodies, had made them one of a kind; unique.

All civilisations develop, but they might not do so in the same manner. A subtle detail one shall keep in mind.

There were also massive creatures on the planet. Some rolled like balls. Others had legs as thick as pillars. Trunks were found on many. These undiscovered wonders were better left in the dark, for opening them up to the outside world would undoubtedly bring all sorts of trouble.

'A hidden marvel' would be the best title one could give to Gadiem Von. But space journalists were a long way to use it.

While the rest of the workers kept on with farming, Vengeance watched one of the inhabitants go inside a house.

They followed.

Inside, a steady pouring echoed through the walls.

Juvo had one chance. He had no idea how advanced these beings were, but they surely won't be able to react if Juvo was quick. The vertically elongated heads with two pairs of eyes could be stated as a formidable appearance. They had an ashen complexion. No lips. A black mouth, the shape of a wide circle sector. Otherwise, they had a tall biped structure with long hands. The water falling on this figure's body could be regarded as cleansing of white sand. Yet it was ingrained in their skin.

Juvo had a hard time aiming, but when he felt the moment was just right, he shot the projectile with no sound, while being perfectly hidden behind the walls. It hit the figure's neck. The contents dissolved in its bloodstream. The figure fell on the ground.

Juvo was successful. But their was no time to rejoice. Someone could come in right away. There was no telling how long the sedative would work. He didn't plan to get his information this way, but it was the safest. Although a bit riskier.

He fetched his Shokurat out of his backpack. His followers were on guard should anyone come in.

The microfibers permeated the being's skin and pierced into the skull. The light blipped green moments later. Juvo smiled.

"Where are the examinees for The Council at?" He mouthed into the small ears of the being.

An image appeared on the Shokurat. But this time, it was crystal clear.