Further developments

The next few days passed , and humanity was occupied with first contact diplomacy .

A few dozen different species sought contact with the government of Earth’s Nexus , and John was buried in work .

Governments around the world tried to initiate first contact with the aliens as well , but the aliens made it clear they would only talk to the government of Earth’s Nexus.

Needless to say , it was frustrating for most of the officials on Earth .

Helena and Sam were busy negotiating trade deals for their businesses , while Sam had to switch between real life and the Nexus for integration of the many moons in the solar system .

There was a boom of new businesses in the Nexus with the appearance of different species , and there was a trade of credits with local currency on Earth .

In the last few days , Alex had been busy reviewing business proposals from new colonists who were informed by the older residents that Alex offered investments for a thirty percent stake in their endeavors .

Everyone was busy , and credits exchanged hands with each new proposal made.

Helena and Sam were the first ones done with their negotiations , maxing out their production of goods .

The farms and brewery were now operating at full capacity , and their managers would oversee everything .

Sarah was still busy browsing the many technological advancements of the different species , looking for something that their factories might produce at a price listed cheaper than the mall would sell it for .

Helena joined Alex for a few hours while he was assessing the proposals until she decided that he was doing fine and returned in game to further develop their little empire .

At a certain point , Da’grass informed him that the last shipment had been transferred to the colony and that the warehouses were filled .

Da’grass also informed him that if there were still changes he wished to make , it would be prudent to do so sooner rather than later since he was expecting that there would be visitors in the future.

At this , Alex sent a message to his friends asking if there was anything they wanted to see changed in the colony or if they had any ideas that might improve it .

Sarah wanted that the colony to produce flowers and plants for decoration .

Helena missed the accessibility of seafood in the colony , and Sam questioned if there were enough warehouses .

John answered that it was his colony and that he was fine with how he managed it , but he asked if Alex thought that security was good enough or if it could be improved .

Jack and Mary told him that everything was good as it was , but that the hospital was empty unless they were doing treatments .

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Alex thought for a bit and asked Da’grass , “is there still enough room to make all of this happen ?”

“Not unless if some have to share the same petal of the colony” answered Da’grass .

“And if we build the extra warehouses on the location of the portal?” replied Alex .

“Then there would be room for the plants and seafood but not for the security .

I suggest you convert a building for security personnel and cells” said Da’grass .

You already enlisted colonists for this function , but there are no more petals available for a base of operations if you want seafood and plants for decoration.

“Make it so . We can still change the layout or build to meet our needs” replied Alex .

“You’re self sufficient as a colony with a surplus since your city isn’t fully inhabited , but a few more cities with different specializations for trade wouldn’t hurt” said Da’grass .

“I’ll think about it” grumbled Alex .

Send a message to Jack and Mary to keep at least minimum occupation of the hospital if there are no treatments , but to maintain a good communication with the rest of the personnel in case anything should happen .

Produce uniforms for the security personnel and enlist them according to capabilities and experience .

Let them rotate in shifts , but just like the medical personnel , they need to maintain a good communication if they are off duty in case something happens.

I don’t expect any problems , but better to be safe than sorry .

“I’ll work something out” answered Da’grass .

I’ll also equip them with nonlethal weaponry .

“Thanks , Da’grass . Send a message to everyone with the changes to whom it may concern” replied Alex .

After this , Alex continued to review the applications , and construction started in the colony to make the changes .

After he was finally done , he went to visit Helena , who had bought a territory in the game with several shops and enterprises in their name .

She assured him that it would be a good investment and that he should trust her .

Alex told her it was just a game and that they had real businesses to spend their time on .

She replied that the businesses in game were mostly automated thanks to the NPC’s and that it wouldn’t be stressful to handle it .

Alex saw her smiling while she was explaining it to him and decided to just give it up .

He knew her well enough and wasn’t in a mood to start a discussion with her .

They made plans to start visiting the other species’ Nexus in a few days and gave each other a kiss .

When he logged out of the game , he got a message from Sarah stating that she wanted to buy more factories on Earth for production of more alien technology.

She told him that she wanted to expand the business while there was still room to do so and that other companies were probably thinking the same thing .

She needed credits for the technology and currency for the factories .

She would handle the rest , and the existing factories would be upgraded .

Alex asked her if she wouldn’t be swamped with work if she did that , but she assured him that her employees and she would have everything done without to much effort .

They had 5 times more time in the Nexus , and some technologies were too good to pass on , she claimed .

Alex said he would give her the funds to do so but asked her not to overwork herself or her employees .

Da’grass would follow her up and provide the necessary funds the moment she asked for them .

Alex decided to spend some time at the pool and logged off , heading outside .

After a few hours , Helena joined him and found him asleep in the shade of a large parasol at the poolside.

She looked at him , smiled, and jumped in the pool .

Alex slept right through it .

When he awoke , Helena was lying beside him , and the sun had shifted to provide her with shade from the parasol .

He wasn’t sunburned , probably thanks to the nanites in his body .

“Hey , sleepyhead” said Helena .

Since you are already standing , do you mind getting something to drink for me?

“I’ve got a better idea” replied Alex and he princess carried Helena to the bedroom .

After an intense battle between the sheets that lasted longer than anticipated , they both lay content next to each other on the bed .

“You still owe me a drink” giggled Helena .

An orange juice is good .

“Fine , I’ll be right back” answered Alex , giving her a quick kiss .

After Alex returned with some drinks , they talked for a while before resuming their activities .

This time , it was Helena who started round two .

Alex would remember this evening for quite a while .