Shi Lang and Major Baker came to the transportation area. Shi Lang was here to take a look at the new Administrator and hand over the charge to him. Also, to check the confirmation order issued by the federation. The higher-ups have agreed to the conditions put forward by the Council Of Xena.
Major Baker looked around and said, “Sir, the new administrator has come in using a single officer pod.” as he read the update on his communicator.
Shi Lang nodded and they came to the corresponding area. At this moment, a ground staff member was checking the documents of identification provided by the newcomer. The person was a standard Terran, six feet tall, fair face, sharp features, he was wearing a white uniform, signifying his status as the Administrator.
After the inspection, the ground staff saluted the newcomer and let the man advance. Major Baker walked forward and said, “Welcome to Celestia Ruby, Administrator Walker.”
The man faintly smiled and returned his salute, he replied, “The pleasure is all mine, Major Baker. Also, this planet is now renamed, Xena. We all shall follow the commands from above.”
Major Baker was surprised and then chuckled. Administrator Walker turned his focus to Shi Lang and suddenly became stiff when he sensed an indifferent gaze from behind the mask. This was the psychological effect caused by the mask and the aura. A handy trick he picked up in the training camp. John would practice this almost every time someone was around him.
“Major Willian Walker reporting for duty, Commander Ace.” saluted the man in white.
Shi Lang nodded and said, “At ease, Major. May I have your clearance?”
The man quickly nodded and took out a small glass panel from his pocket and tapped it to start a holographic projection of the letter. Shi Lang read the document calmly and said, “Very well. I will leave the rest of the process to you. I have one suggestion.”
Administration Walker nodded and asked, “Please instruct, Sir.”
“The youngest Empress, Xenon, she has a lot of skills. She may not be the enemy yet, but she certainly is not foolish enough to put in all her trust into outlanders. Be cautious when dealing with her. Try to win her over and get things set up.” replied the youngster.
Walker nodded and replied, “Thank you very much, sir. I did read a copy of the report on my way, and I do agree with your words. Thank you for reminding me.”
Shi Lang nodded and the trio went inside the command outpost. Shi Lang then waited to complete the official hand over and after signing the documents he left the place. He was going to board the public vessel out of this place and return back to the federation.
…
One day later, the boy landed back in the federation and reported to Archie Arkham.
Shi Lang knocked on the door and Archie Arkham’s voice sounded, “Come in.”
The boy moved pushed the door in and walked inside, he saluted the lady and said, “Captain Shi Lang reporting, Sir. Mission accomplished.”
Archie Arkham nodded and said, “You did good, Captain. Do collect your promotion orders and insignia’s from your team lodgings. Now, the next task for you is to rest and get stronger.”
Shi Lang was confused. He did not understand what this task meant. Archie Arkham continued, “You are to stay grounded until you have pushed through the five-star level. The missions for your rank will not be easy like these. I will not send you anywhere until you get the level to defend yourself.”
Shi Lang saluted and replied, “Yes, Commander.”
Archie said, “Dismissed.”
Shi Lang left the room and walked around the basecamp. He came to the villa allocated to his team and went inside. There seemed to be no one inside the villa so he walked back to his room and after taking a shower, he went to bed. The space travel, the planning, the negotiations. All this happened in just two days.
He was mentally exhausted, he did not know when he drifted to the slumberland, only a loud voice from outside the room woke him up. His first reaction was to reach out for the service phasor handgun he was provided after reporting but never used it. Then he stopped and carefully heard the sound.
Putting up a pair of t-shirt and shorts he walked out of the room and said, “Carole, why did you let him drink so much?”
At this moment, Stefan was crying loudly while Carole was patting his back to console him. The scene was out of the ordinary and this was what woke up Shi Lang. Carole turned around and smiled widely at him and said, “Glad to have you back, Major Lang.”
Shi Lang smiled and said, “Good to be back, Major Carole. Where are the rest?”
Carole said, “They all were given separate missions. I had some free time and this pile of meat took me to a bar, and I had to carry him back, talk about low tolerance, irritating.”
Shi Lang chuckled and without speaking walked inside the kitchen, after two minutes he came back with a spoonful of thick liquid. Carole asked, “What is it?”
“Take Hunk outside the house, I will cure him.” replied the youngster.
Carole nodded and dragged the bawling hunk outside the villa, into the garden. Shi Lang pinched on Hunk’s nose and shoved the spoon inside his mouth. Stefan tried to breathe with his mouth when his nose was pinched, but the next moment, he was flushing out his innards in the garden.
Carole and Shi Lang were sitting back inside the living room, sharing a drink to celebrate the latter’s promotion. The drink was nothing but a fruit punch. They both decided to share a hard liquor drink when the whole team is together. After thirty minutes, Stefan sobered up and walked inside the room to find the two chatting happily.
Three people chatted for a bit before Carole and Stefan retired for bed. Shi Lang decided to use this free time to contact his friends and check upon them. He sent out messages to all his classmates, checked up on his parents, they were on federation itself but did not reply to him because it was very late.
He left a long message to Amelia, telling her how he missed her. Suddenly an idea clicked to him. He stood up and made a beeline straight to the town hall. Archie Arkham seemed to be turning in for the day and was about to leave the office when she heard someone knocking at her door. She sighed and said, “Come in.”
Shi Lang walked in and hurriedly saluted her. She tilted her head and asked, “Major Lang, may I ask, what made you rush here in such a manner?”
He was still wearing his sleeping clothes, the boy took a deep breath and said, “I apologize for the lack of demeanor Commander, but I thought it was better that I asked you right away and get this settled soon.”
Archie Arkham nodded and replied, “I am listening.”
The youngster asked, “Sir, can I go back to planet Ao, to train in the camp?” his words shocked Archie.
She asked with wide-open eyes, “Are you certain, you want to go back to that place?”
Shi Lang nodded and said, “Sir, the camp is a place where I learned all that I have, and it is also a place where I can easily get stronger.”
Archie Arkham sighed and said, “I expected you to come up with a better excuse.”
Shi Lang suddenly coughed hard and Archie Arkham said, “Since you have decided to lie about this, then you can go to Ao. But within a week, I want you to break into the five-star level. Or you can forget about your little ‘lovey-dovey’ time.”
Her words made the youngster gulp a mouthful of saliva and he took a few minutes to think about it clearly. After exhaling a heavy breath the guy nodded and said, “Commander, I accept the conditions.”
Archie Arkham smirked and said, “Ohh, don’t we have a brave one. Very well, but you cannot use a gene enhancement serum for the breakthrough, have no doubts, I will have your blood examined after your return.”
Shi Lang nodded and was about to turn around and go pack, when he heard the lady speak again, “If you failed, then, I will have you clean the toilets and water the trees of the whole base camp. Do you understand now?”
This was even more shameful than getting whipped in the square. Shi Lang sighed and decided to fight for it. He nodded and then left the town hall. Archie Arkham waited a few minutes before picking up her communicator and contacting someone. She said, “General Knight, how are you?”
Charlotte Knight spoke from the other side, “Commander Spade, what can I help you with?”
Archie Arkham’s code name was a spade. The lady said, “General, I am dispatching an agent from my place to Ao. If you have any matters that may need special treatment. Feel free to tell us.”
Charlotte did not reply immediately and then said, “I shall do it then.”