The Xantari known as Blyb was sitting in his very comfy chair on the ship's bridge. The screen in front of him showed Jupiter in all its glory, which was only natural as Blyb and his crew were currently hiding in the orbit of Jupiter's moon Callisto. It was a precaution more than anything, as there wasn't much traffic in this corner of the Galaxy. Sure, the Earth had been recently integrated, but so have many other worlds at the same time.
Blyb knew that the leeches at Void Ventures would keep a casual eye on their future investment, and he didn't want to risk it. He also knew that he would have to high tail out of reach, but the delicate question of where remained to be answered.
"Captain", Zulk the first mate said as she approached him. She was a Xantari like himself, but she was younger and was born after their planet was integrated. "Have you made a decision yet?"
Blyb sighed. The crew was itching to get the hell out of there. Not all of them enjoyed their stay on Earth and wished to seek out the next green pasture. If they only knew what he had done...
"I've been browsing leads for new contracts. Nothing has caught my eye so far."
Zulk's eyes narrowed.
"Permission to talk freely, sir?"
"Granted. "
"With all due respect sir, I think you are stalling. " she paused, watching his face for a reaction. " There is nothing left for us in this System and the crew is getting impatient. They would like to know why we're not moving."
Blyb sighed again and jumped out of his seat in one fluid cat-like motion. He officially ran out of time.
"Gather the crew in an hour. I'll make an announcement."
With that, he left the bridge and briskly walked towards his quarters. As much as he wanted to stall, he knew Zulk was right. They had spent the last 60 Earth years here, on and off, of course, and it was time to move on. The cargo bay was full of merchandise and their pockets were not exactly flush.
Once inside his cabin, he pulled out a small metal cube that fit neatly in the palm of his hand and pressed one of the seamless buttons integrated into its surface. A green hologram popped up and he quickly typed in a series of instructions. After he was done, he lifted the lid to the tube that led to the rubbish chute and threw the cube inside.
"Computer?"
"Yes, captain?" came the smooth voice of the ship's AI.
"Please open the rubbish chute. "
"Of course, captain."
Blyb didn't need to see it to know that it was done, but a sense of unease filled him still. Zulk was right; they couldn't stick around here much longer. In all of the years working with her he learned to trust her judgement. But the years also taught her to see right through him. He knew that she knew that he was acting odd, and he couldn't afford to have her get too suspicious. She wouldn't understand.
They would leave the Solar system, and stop in some places to drop off the goods. Then, he'd let the crew choose a place to let loose a little. Perhaps they would go to the Pleasure Dome in the Procyon system. That would cheer everyone up.
Blyb took the time to put on the air of authority and left his quarters. It was time to face his crew.
He just hoped the human would take advantage of his new gift.
----------------------------------------
The three of us had fallen into a quick routine for the last two days. I would work on the veggie garden until I ran out of energy, and then either Laura or Tobi would make us lunch. After that, we would do various chores around the cabin and plan our next big project. The threat of running out of food was looming over our heads, putting a damper on our already damp mood.
We had twenty raised beds so far, planted and growing. The day before, I decided to sacrifice 1 Energy to see what would happen to the potatoes. The counter above the plants went down by two hours, meaning if I invested all of the 60 possible energy, it would only shorten the growth time by 5 days. It was better than nothing, but it still left us with two months until we could harvest our first spuds.
This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.
Fortunately, Tobi was searching through the Shop Terminal and stumbled upon these Snack Packets that cost 1 credit and were seemingly compatible with our biology. I scavenged some wood resources to sell and we bought one just to try it out.
"This is disgusting, " Laura said with her mouth full of the protein bar-like thing we received.
Tobi just nodded, too busy chewing to say anything.
"I'm afraid we'll have to make this work, as much as I hate to admit," I said. The Snack Packet was the colour of wheat and was wrapped with a thin layer of oil that was impossible to get off, so we just bit into it. There was no other packaging to speak of.
Of course, there were some more appealing-looking Meal Kits we could buy, but they went for upwards of 20 credits each. We just didn't have that kind of money.
The Snack Packet kept us satiated for several hours, and we decided to get one every day for breakfast. We'd split it three ways and wash it down with lots of water. It was disgusting but it meant stretching our real food a few more days.
I was hauling some water from the well when I heard Tobi's panic-filled voice calling me from the front of the cabin.
"Dee! Please come over here! Quickly!"
I put down the water-filled bucket on the ground and ran towards his voice.
A very big and very bored-looking sheep was standing next to my veggie garden, and starting at Tobi with eyes that reminded me to those of a fly. Its coat was white with an iridescent sheen, that changed hue between purple, pink, and blue every second. I quickly pulled up my hatchet out of the inventory but the animal didn't attack, or do anything much at all, other than turn its freaky bug eyes towards me.
"Bleeeeugh, " it said and lowered its head to graze at the grass. A description box appeared in my vision.
Zerathian Skymbala
A native species from Zerath Prime, this animal is coveted across the known Universe for its fast-growing wool that has wide applications in high fashion. They are rather intelligent herbivores and have a mischievous streak.
"Where the hell did this thing come from?" I asked Tobi who was inching backwards towards the cabin door with his hands raised.
"I'm-m not sure. It just came out of the w-woods and walked over here," he said. "I thought the boundary would keep it away like the other monsters, but it just strolled through.
"Bleeeeugh, " it said again, seemingly offended by being compared to other monsters.
"What's going on? What's that noise?" Laura said as she left the cabin, drying her hands on a tea towel. She froze in place, her mouth gaping open, as she took in our shiny guest.
"I am not sure, " I said slowly, trying not to let the creature out of my sight. It cycled between staring at us and chewing on the grass.
"What are we going to do?" Tobi whispered.
"Should we kill it?" Laura asked. At those words, the animal turned sharply towards her and let out another bleeeeugh that sounded very threatening.
"Uuuh, Laura? I don't think we should use the k-word around our friend here," I said.
"Bleeeeugh, " the animal made it sound like That's right, you better.
The Skymbala trotted over to Tobi, who stood motionless, probably too scared to make a rash move and provoke the creature. It lowered its head and rubbed it on him, bleeeeughing happily. The three of us stood there, not daring to move a muscle, taking in the scene.
"I think... I think it likes you?" I said, not sure what to do. The creature didn't seem aggressive and looked to be more intelligent than any other alien monster we have encountered. Tobi visibly relaxed and lowered one hand to tap the Skymbala's head, which replied in even happier sounds.
"Can we keep it?" he said looking between his mother and me.
"I'm not sure..." Laura started, not knowing what to do with the situation.
But then the animal did something that sealed the deal. It moved a little away from the boy and its fur started to shift like it had a mind of its own. It swirled and moved towards the creature's back where it gathered into a neat pile, before separating from its owner's fleece and falling on the ground in front of our astonished faces. The iridescent hue of its coat never stopped shifting.
Raw Zerathian Skymbala Wool
A luxury product sought after across the known Universe. Once properly processed, it can be used as lining in light armour and as embroidery in high-fashion gowns.
The chi-ching of money rang in my head as I read the description.
"We will call you Cloud!" Tobi announced and the Cloud walked back to him for more head pets.
Name: Diana Mond
Age: 25
Class: Homesteader
Level: 1, 70/200 exp
Strength: 4 (+1)
Constitution: 6
Intelligence: 6
Wisdom: 4
HP: 60/60
Energy: 6/60
Points to distribute: 0