Chapter 37: Proceed
Jun Li had rented out a warehouse for us to have everything delivered to which made life easier on both of us.
As the tables, chairs, couches, sectionals, and beds arrived at the warehouse, Jun Li had them transported up to the ship and his little minions put them in the rooms that I had earmarked for each one. If there was already Sisalik furnishings in the room, I had them burned for the most part.
I didn’t want anything to remind me of the previous owner. Even the common rooms were repurposed from their intended purpose to whatever I wanted. For example, the nightclub that served really good steak and potatoes was changed into a theater room with a projector screen in it, oversized couches, and comfy chairs. Hell, I even had Jun Li install a popcorn machine in one corner of the room so I wouldn’t have to order it.
The room that I was originally using as a study room became a legitimate library complete with floor-to-ceiling bookshelves that the robots had bolted to the walls to make sure that they couldn’t fall down if we hit turbulence. Or if someone was shooting at us. I really wasn’t going to make any assumptions one way or another.
I was still planetside, inside of my condo now that I no longer had to worry about a creepy neighbor. I got a lot of groceries, to the point where I had to start going to a bunch of different places because the cashiers were beginning to recognize me.
Jun Li also told me that he could convert some of the lower levels into a place to grow fresh produce if I wanted. Apparently, he could control the temperature of each room, and if I purchased the appropriate grow lights, then I could plant things like chocolate plants that produced the coco fruit for homemade chocolates. I also picked up some coffee beans, sugar cane, tea plants, and a few other crops that I thought would be useful.
Mind you, I have never so much as looked after a house plant, but Jun Li assured me that he had the directions to be able to make sure that the crops were a success and he would have a few of the robots tending to them. I was willing to try as I didn’t see any harm in it.
I had purchased a lot of the finished products, like coffee, teas, and chocolate bars, and put them into the fridges and freezers that were located in the 60 some odd kitchens on board.
All in all, I was confident that I would do just fine in my new life with enough of my old not to make me feel homesick.
The only box that was not mine that had been delivered to our warehouse was the one that I assumed held Jun Li’s second body. However, he had forbidden me from opening it up or even peaking inside it before he was good and ready to show me what it looked like.
I could only chuckle at that and ignore the box.
By the end of our seven day timeline, we had managed to get everything we wanted and needed (and I still had some money left over in the account Jun Li started for me). I looked around my now-empty condo for the last time and said goodbye to everything that I knew.
I was now going to begin an adventure of a lifetime, and I was more than ready for it.
----
"We can’t find them," said one of the Sisalik as he walked down the hall with another guard. Tha’juen followed behind them quietly, not one of the beings on board realizing that he was there. It had been almost seven rotations, and they were still unable to find the L-Series ship that they were looking for.
"Where could they be?" responded the other guard, not caring too much one way or another.
"No idea," said the first with what amounted to a shrug. "Above my paygrade," he continued with a hiss.
The other male grunted in agreement. "It’s a big universe and Captain Zonax has never been all that forthcoming with his location."
The first male nodded his head slowly. "I have heard a story about that Captain. Apparently, he has never allowed one of his crews to leave the ship."
"What do you mean?"
"I mean, the rumor is that he kills anyone that requests a transfer to another ship."
"Makes you wonder what he is doing," snorted the second male.
"Not in the least," answered the first with a shake of his head. "He is too greedy for things that aren’t his. It wouldn’t surprise me if he had plans to kill General Qorax and take over his position. Either way, I don’t want anything to do with it."
Tha’juen quickly imputed the information into his wrist unit and sent it off to Ye’tab. The other male should be able to find the missing battleship. After all, based on what he had heard, this L-Series ship that they were looking for was most likely to hold the stolen technology.
He continued to follow the two Sisalik males before veering off and entering the command bridge.
"Sir, we have checked Z Galaxy and have found no trace of Captain Zonax or the ship," saluted one of the bridge officers.
"Proceed to Y Galaxy then," sighed the captain, rubbing his forehead in frustration. "The Grand Council wants a human and without the coordinates to the human planet, this is our only option. We will scour every micron of this universe if we need to. We have to find Captain Zonax. We have no other choice."
"Yes, Sir," saluted the officer before turning back to his post and imputed new coordinates into the system. "Engaging hyperdrive for Y Galaxy. Will arrive at our destination in one catawr."
"Understood, proceed," sighed the captain, and Tha’juen engaged his boot’s locking system to ensure that he didn’t move during the jump.
"Yes, Sir."
