Just when the team was praying inside the ship, they received a transmission from the First General, “Move ahead in sync with the vessel marked on your radar.”
Shi Lang replied in affirmation and said, “Jenkins.”
The latter only gave him a thumbs up and their ship began moving. Darcx said, “Captain, Neomon vessels are scanning our ship for weapon systems. Are they too cautious?”
Shi Lang chuckled and said, “Will you let a stranger enter your household without any checkups?”
Rosa Blues said, “Major Lang, I suggest that you disperse your nanobots now. We do not know if these guys have any system that could scan through the ship or not.” her worries were not baseless, the nanobots were crucial to their plan.
Shi Lang nodded and typed a few commands on the panel to his side, the panel was connected to the mainframe of the ship that he used to program the nanobots. After the commands were punched in the bots dispersed and blended into the ship body like they were one unit from the start.
Amelia was sitting in front of a panel that was showing the ship’s integrity status. She said, “What do you think is the possibility of the Neomons being hostile to us?”
Quinn replied, “In my observation, it should not be too big of a chance. After all, they are dwindling, the reproduction rate is very low.” in a calm tone.
Shi Lang leaned back in his chair and said, “Darcx, would you give me an enhance overview of the Neomon vessels?”
Darcx replied, “Coming right up, Captain.” his hands moved on the keyboard and a ship was displayed on a holoscreen.
Rosa Blues and the other two girls also paid attention to the screen, they wanted to know why Shi Lang wanted to see this design. He said, “Quinn, what do you see?”
Quinn replied, “Seamless weapon system?” with some doubt.
Shi Lang nodded, “Indeed. Seamless weapon system. This is a concept that our military research is still working on. However, they have already developed this. Remember we were told that the intel provided by the enemy is not likely to be correct, how can we be sure that their population is dwindling? However, I can accept that they are feminists for sure.”
Rosa nodded and said, “Indeed, if this is a plot then the person behind this is extremely cunning, most likely a woman with a spider-like personality.”
Jenkins chuckled and said, “Spider-like or fox-like?”
Darcx said, “Jenkins I did not expect you to be a man of culture.”
The two exchanged a glance and gave each other a fist bump while Shi Lang said, “If you two fell in a honey trap, I will chop off your third leg. Understood?”
His cold voice made the two guys shiver. They simmered down and Darcx said, “The Neomonian vessel is about to cross.”
Shi Lang nodded and said, “Quinn, see if they request us for a connection, respond in positive if they do it.”
Quinn said, “And if they do not?”
Shi Lang said, “No need to initiate anything. They were the ones who wanted this exchange right?” his voice was calm.
Quinn nodded and went back to monitor the communication channels. Rosa Blues said, “Major Lang you know we can take the initiative to communicate with them?”
She wanted to tell the guy that it was not a bad thing to be the first one to communicate. However, before Shi Lang could respond, the communications rang, Quinn said, “The exchange candidates are requesting communication access, patching up now.”
The communications were put through and a girl with blonde hair and golden eyes appeared on the holoscreen. Shi Lang could read that the girl was trying to see what he was thinking, while he was doing the same.
The girl spoke up after a few seconds, “I am Nexa, the lead representative of the Neomon delegation heading to Metropia. I wish you a pleasant stay at my home.”
Shi Lang replied, “I am Shi Lang, the lead representative of the Federal delegation heading to Nestia. I wish you a pleasant stay at my home. Also, Miss Nexa, I recommend that you try some local music and food to have a better grasp of our culture.” with a smile on his face.
The girl froze when she saw this. She did not expect what was going on. Before she could say anything, the communication was interrupted. Quinn said, “Neomon, the military is hailing.”
Shi Lang said, “Miss Nexa, I think we have to part ways here. Have a good stay.” that said, he disconnected her connection and Quinn patched up the military envoy.
The people inside the cabin have changed their uniforms to maintain their cover. On the new holoscreen, a stern-looking lady appeared. Shi Lang immediately put up a meek front and asked, “Hello, Ma’am, do you have any instructions for us?”
The lady, who was busy observing Shi Lang said, “Hello, I am General Nyla, I welcome you on behalf of her Majesty Nexalia Neytiri.”
Shi Lang replied, “It is our honor to be here, Ma’am, thank you very much.” his tone was humble.
General Nyla nodded and said, “We will be providing you the coordinates and heading equation, please use them to follow us back to Nestia.”
Shi Lang nodded with a faint smile. The communication was finished. Shi Lang said, “Jenkins you are responsible for the navigation, Quinn send back a morse code to General Edwards, the leader of the Neomon Delegation might be related to some big shot in the Neomon Royal family.”
Rosa asked, “How did you discover that?”
Shi Lang replied, “Her face matches the general we just talked to and her name is Nexa, how can we be sure that it is not short for Nexalia Neytiri? or something?”
Amelia said, “Will that not mean that Nexa is the queen herself?”
Shi Lang shook his head and said, “Not possible, a queen will not leave her abode until it was necessary, because every moment she is away from the throne, the more restless her courtiers will be. So, it is not worth it to give up your own territory to gain other.”
Rosa nodded and said, “You are correct, but Quinn, do mention in the message that it is just a guess. We do not have any adamant proof of Nexa being in relation with the crown.”
Quinn nodded and sent out a morse to the first general. Then she asked, “Will I not be identified by the similar manner of deduction?”
Shi Lang shook his head and said, “Your ID card, is Harley Dupont. You have taken up the name of your mother’s family, which is one of the most mysterious families in The Federation, Nexa or the delegates will not be able to find out about that and it also happens that there are several other families by the name Dupont. Only Amelia and Jenkins are known to be the children of high-ranking military cadres.”
Amelia added, “Our identities are revealed to cover yours.” her face had a faint smile.
Quinn felt a little guilty and asked, “How can I ever repay?”
Jenkins spoke up, “Pledge yourself to me.” excitedly.
Shi Lang was surprised and asked, “I did not expect the steel hunk to become so perverted after joining the front.”
Jenkins chuckled, “There is only one topic that can relieve stress at the front, sex.”
Darcx nodded and smile slyly. Amelia and Quinn shook their heads at this and Rosa said, “Captain Jenkins, are the units of navigation filled in?”
Jenkins replied with a yes, and Shi Lang said, “Sync up with the Neomonians and initiate space jump.”
“Aye.” replied the navigator and in five seconds, they all sighed in farewell to their home and the ship accelerated to move ahead through the starry seas.
…
Twenty-five space jumps later, they arrived in front of a planet that looked similar to The Federation. Shi Lang said, “Can we find a room and crash already?”
Rosa said, “The space jumps are really tolling.” with a tired expression.
Shi Lang sighed and said, “I had no idea that it will take twenty-five jumps.”
Jenkins said, “It will take a couple of hours to reach the surface, why don’t you and instructor Rosa go inside the rejuvenation chamber.” as he was monitoring the spaceship’s movement.
Shi Lang did not reply, he directly rushed to the med-bay to lay in the rejuvenation chamber. Inside the chamber, a couple of hours of sleep would be equal to a night of complete sleep. The brain and physical body will recover to the optimum level after sleeping in the nutritive solution.
Darcx looked at this and said, “I thought he would never give up on his manners.”
Amelia said, “You should try and stay away for five days with twenty-five space jumps.” in an apathetic voice.
Quinn said, “The Neomonians would communicate frequently with him trying to unravel things, only now did he get a chance to sleep.”
The four people on the bridge nodded in agreement when the communications were hailed again. This time Quinn picked it up and the General was surprised to see a new face. Quinn said, “Hello, General Nyla, I am the vice leader of the delegation. Our leader has just retired for a break, if you have any instructions, do tell me.”
Nyla nodded and said, “Hello, from here on, please travel according to the pathway provided to you. We will be parting ways here. We wish you a pleasant time.”
Quinn nodded and then after a pleasant greeting the communication was disconnected. She said, “Jenkins, one mistake in course setting will be death, do you understand?”
Jenkins nodded and began to maneuver the ship to descend slowly.