“What do you mean, you found a translator? Where?!” Jiehong said, surprised, curious.

“My new long distance friend, Luxley. Evidently, he knows. Some of it. I am going to run the list up to him after the joint operation,” Zan said.

“Huh… your contact is paying off already. Good. We needed that translated. I guess we should get this operation done with sooner rather than later, eh?”

“I think so… I think I am going to practice a bit more, then go inside and get cleaned up before I dirty myself again. I would recommend you practice a bit on the roughest patch of eath. Over there, by the prickly fauna,” Zan said, pointing out where he had come from.

Jiehong shook his head, and they each went back at it.

Finding a satisfactory end to his familiarization with his new tool, Zan halted his peddling and decompressed the bike, putting it on his back.

In the bath, Zan felt peaceful.

Just him, the hot water, and his body soaking in the tub.

Amusing himself with fanciful images, building to releasing the inbound stress, Zan felt elated during its peak. Good thing Jiehong isn’t here. What a mess. Wiping away his soapy mess so as to not make the bath floor even more slippery, Zan dried and dressed himself for success.

Zan then eat a well-prepared steak with a side of roasted diced potatoes. Zan knew Jiehong would appreciate such a meal, simple as it might be.

Spending some time in his room while Jiehong bathed himself and then eat, Zan looked around his personal quarters. ‘It’s so empty,’ he remarked. He thought back to Jiehong’s parents. Their bedroom had been small. Yet trinkets, books, clothing, scrolls, sentimental items, souvenirs, and more had filled the tiny space of theirs to the brink. Looking at his chamber’s sparseness, Zan thought he should find some trophies to put inside. He made a note to bring back some pointless stuff the next time he visited a place.

Leaving his room after his thinking and rest, Zan saw Jiehong leave the kitchen. He burped and thanked the non-existent chef.

“War room time?” Jiehong asked, seeing Zan.

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“War room time,” Zan confirmed.

Before the Wardens once more, Zan said, “I have an update on things. One, today, very soon, we will depart again for Feathervale. With any luck, during the next couple of days, we will link up with rebel and loyalist forces to destroy a series of automotron outposts along the Western Way. Secondly, I have located a translator for the Old Tongue Script list we found. My contact in the Expanse, Luxley, knows the language and has offered his services. I will go to him after the mission.”

Sigma-Prime spoke first. “Excellent updates, Zan!”

Then the Screen Master spoke. “Excellent indeed, Zan. You are coming into your own. This is exactly what we meant when we said to take command of the order. Continue with this course of action.”

Discussion over the course of the mission then transpired. The Screen Master pulled some images of the Western Way outposts. Zan didn’t know how he received the images… something to do with the magical echolocation ‘pinging’ thing he told Zan about previously. Bouncing specialized magical waves off the Slipstream to receive an image or something. Zan only knew the big idea, not the little.

Stocking up on both types of grenades and ensuring their blades and defensive gear were in working order, Zan and Jiehong were about out the door when Screen Master Simulacrum stopped them. “I nearly forgot, Zan. I have an announcement myself. As you know, or might have forgotten, our command center was under the earth for a very long time. During this time, damages were sustained. These damages effected the command center’s ability to generate from memory most of our tools. Slowly, Sigma-Prime and myself have been repairing the damages. This is where your new bikes have come from. We are telling you this again because we are on the verge of a major breakthrough. With any luck, a new tool will be ready for your exclusive use in a matter of weeks.”

“Yeah, I remembered,” Zan lied. He had not remembered. He barely knew the deal with the command center, to be frank with himself. With their mental jogging, though, Zan’s memories of the first explanation came back to him. “What is the nature of this breakthrough? And why am I the only one who can benefit from it? Is it impossible for Jiehong to use as well?”

Simulacrum replied, “Jiehong can use it — eventually. When the Order grows and more adherents and followers are granting the order boons and resources, material circumstances will change. Then, Jiehong will use this tool. As for its function, I cannot say for certain, yet. I know this: it will be a war-fighting tool. It will help you organize the battlefield.”

Zan glanced over at his friend. He seemed to take the news fine. He was worried his friend would take offense to not being allowed to use this tool.

“Awesome-sauce. I guess we will wait and see what the fuss is about? Thank you, Wardens, for your continued aid,” Zan said, bowing slightly, then leaving with Jiehong.

Outside the command center, Jiehong said, “I wonder what this tool is? Color me intrigued.”

Zan replied he too was curious, but they should remain focused on their upcoming mission. “So, walk or ride?”

Jiehong mused. “Lead the way, leader. But lead on that bike of yours!”