The ship landed on the spaceport of Clement planet. Shi Lang and the rest came out and were greeted by an old friend, Ameris. The lady was now the defense minister for the Neomonian Empire. Shi Lang smiled and walked over to her in his casual attire.
Ameris smiled at Shi Lang and suddenly saluted him in a crisp fashion. The young man returned the salute and said, “Minister Ameris, coming to welcome us in person, I am flattered.”
Ameris shook her head and said, “It is us, the neomonians, who should be flattered. Welcome to Clement.”
Shi Lang and Amelia exchanged a few words with her and then they introduced the people with them to Ameris. The minister showed very amiable behavior when greeting everyone. Shi Lang’s parents were even shocked when the minister even slightly bowed her head to greet them. She did not do it to even the two generals.
Afterward, they were led by an armed convoy to a massive mansion. Ameris introduced the place to them, “This is Mala-kut. The only place that has never been used by anyone but the royal family. It is her Excellency’s intention that your stay is comfortable and relaxing. So, please use this place as you wish. There are twenty bedrooms, thirty bathrooms, three different spas, and ten round-the-clock chefs. There is a gym, two studies with some of the epics in neomonian literature in two wings, and there are also two swimming pools.
Thinking that people from the federation like to play games or sports to relax, there is an open space of about an acre that can be customized as you desire. The western side also has a three-kilometer-long private beach. You will be assisted by the staff of the mansion, they are all well trained so there will be no trouble. Let’s tour around, to be honest, I have never been here.”
Shi Lang and the others were also curious after listening to the details. When the vehicles stopped in front of the mansions gates, they all got down. The people saw Ameris access a panel on the side of the road, she input her biometrics into the panel and the door slowly slid open. Shi Lang saw a wide open ground and in a distance, a building stood. The building had a unique design, the main entrance was covered with an arching porch.
A fountain in the center and the stoned pathway gave it a very ancient feel. Shi Lang held Amelia’s hand and they walked in first. The young man had come here to relax, so he was totally not going to be held back by the presence of his elders, and he was not doing anything wrong. Amelia was still slightly timid but she held his arm firmly.
The place was brimming with fresh spiritual energy. Shi Lang said after checking that the others were still a few meters behind him. He said, “Do you feel this?”
Amelia hummed and then asked, “Can we break through to the core completion realm here?”
Shi Lang shrugged his shoulders and said, “I have no idea about that my love. You know that we have been trying for a few months already, but until and unless we receive a strong push, we might not be able to move forward. Either that, or we need to take a step back to calm down.”
Amelia nodded and with a faint smile, she leaned against Shi Lang’s shoulder. The young man said, “I have something for you. I found it inside the ruin on the frontier and no one knows about it yet.”
Amelia asked, “Why did you not report it? What if it was something harmful?” she furrowed her brows a bit.
Shi Lang leaned over and pecked her forehead and said, “It was not something harmful but something unique. When I went back to the Federation for the meetings with the secret divisions. I reported this to them. They allowed me to keep it on me, however, I have to make sure that the powers of this thing are only used for defense and not attack.”
Amelia looked at him seriously and mumbled, “If Darcx was here, I would have asked him if you lied or not.”
Shi Lang smiled and said, “You can call Commander Silence. She will tell you.”
Amelia shook her head, “It is fine. If you lied and they discharged you, I can still work to support the house.”
Shi Lang froze on the spot and looked at the girl with his eyes wide open. Then he asked, “How many novels have you been reading these days?”
Amelia was surprised and said, “How did you know?”
The two looked at each other and then they burst out in laughter. The people behind them looked at the scene and Luna quickly used her communicator to click their pictures. The two people moved forward and they were toured around the building. The place was the epitome of luxury and comfort. Nothing was too prickly to the eyes.
This was luxury. In the end, Shi Lang and Amelia ended up in the garage of the building and they were shocked. The two people looked at a vehicle parked in the center of the large space, spotless and dust free. They watched closely and began to admire the vehicle.
An old man happened to enter the garage after them and he bowed, before he said, “I am Tero, the caretaker of this vehicle. Pleased to meet you, Sir, Ma’am.”
The old man knew these two youngsters were the guests of the Empress and he did not dare to shun them. Shi Lang nodded with a smile and asked, “Old Sir, can you tell us about this vehicle.”
The old man found that these guys were polite, and he became even more eager to hug their thighs and ride on their coattails. He said, “Sir, this model was originally designed in the federation. Back then the federation was still called earth.”
Shi Lang and Amelia were shocked. They had no idea how to react, if they go back to the time when the Federation was still on earth, did that not mean this vehicle in front of them was an ancient antique worth enough wealth to buy workfree life forever?
The old man smiled and nodded, “Yes, this vehicle is from that time only. We neomons were guided to protect an envoy from the galactic council who was traveling the region, surveying the level of the living population here. At that time, we were able to travel through space but not a space jump.
That envoy gave us a wrap engine design in exchange for a few terms in business. During their time on earth, the neomonians, found this car, standing inside a desolate shop. The vehicle was so beautiful that they took it back with them. Since then this vehicle is standing here, modified and equipped to keep up with the times, however, our people back then, forgot to bring back a manual. We tried to drive it, but could not figure out the timing. so, it has been kept here.”
Shi Lang and Amelia were shocked and awed. They did not expect for this vehicle to have such a story behind its origins. Shi Lang sighed and said, “The Federation has really come far.”
This vehicle was taken away when the whole of the Federation was going through the toughest times. However, given that it was only a few thousand years away. This was an achievement for them. Shi Lang asked, “What are the modifications done in the vehicle over time?”
Tero began to introduce him to the changes done, for example, the combustion fuel was replaced by a clean phaser battery, and it was connected to the drive assembly, to keep the control function the same. They wanted an authentic driving experience. They could not get the timing of the gears right and a lot of stuff.
The vehicle was not actually something that complex, but it was because the process was too simple. Shi Lang asked Tero if he can drive this vehicle. The old man hesitated, but suddenly heard a voice, “You can use this place as if it is yours, General Lang.”
Ameris had entered the garage. Tero nodded and gave them the car keys. Shi Lang caressed the metal body and sighed, “You know what this car is called?”
Tero said, “We do not know how to read your font, Sir.”
“The Jaguar XK-E. It is the most beautiful car ever designed.”, that said, he pulled the door handle gently, he sat inside, and pushed the key inside the ignition hole, giving it a twist with a combination of the paddles at his feet. The beauty came to life.
Shi Lang leaned out and said, “Amy, would you like to go for a drive with me?”
Amelia nodded with a big smile and the two people drove away in the car. Ameris used her communicator and said, “General Lang has left the building, keep distance, and maintain surveillance. Inform me if you encounter trouble and do not delay.”
Tero asked, “Madame, that young sir, is a General?”, he was shocked.
Ameris nodded and said, “He is the Ace of Terrans.”