Chapter 70

Governor Zolreb called the commander into his office. As he sat there, he smiled to himself, feeling a sense of satisfaction and accomplishment. He had been working hard for months, and now his plans were finally coming to fruition. He could feel it in the air. He thought to himself, ’Things are finally falling into place. All of my hard work is paying off, and I’m so close to achieving my goal of being the king.’

The Commander walked into the governor’s office, standing tall and proud in his formal military uniform. He was a seasoned veteran with years of experience in the trenches, and he had seen more of the harsh realities of war than most men would ever have to witness.

‘Sir, you wanted to see me?’ The Commander said this, his voice conveying the respect and reverence he held for the man before him.

The governor nodded in acknowledgment, gesturing for him to take a seat. ‘Yes, I did.’ It seems information came to me that Tim Bodge, the individual who murdered my friend Dalugoth, is back and has threatened Princess Tabitha. We need to help the princess for her protection.

Tonight, you and your soldiers have a mission: to protect the princess. To do this, you must take her to the old fort on the east side of the town. Once there, you must hold her there until it is safe for her to return. You must ensure that the fort is secure and that you are well-armed in case of attack. You must also post guards at the gates and around the fort to make sure that no one enters or leaves without your knowledge. Once the princess is safely inside the fort, you must remain vigilant, keeping a keen eye out for any potential danger or threats. This is a mission that you must take seriously and with great care, for the safety of the princess depends on it. With the help of your soldiers, you can ensure that the princess is safe and sound until it is safe for her to return.

The commander asked, “What about this individual named Tim Bodge?”

“I have dispatched my soldiers all over the kingdom to search for this Tim Bodge. I will declare martial law throughout the kingdom in order to ensure the safety of all citizens. I will use all of the resources at my disposal to make sure that no harm comes to the princess and that Tim Bodge is brought to justice.”

The commander rose and headed to the door, turned, and said, “It will be as you said,” He turned and left.

The governor sat in his chair, a smug smile on his face as he waited for the commander to leave. He knew that he could easily deceive him, that the commander would believe whatever he said. He was confident and cocky in his own power. Suddenly, he shouted loudly, ’Whatever your name is, get in here!’

The secretary stepped into the room and said, “It’s Miss Smith. Now what do you want?”

The governor looked at her and said, “I don’t give a shit; get Commander Shas now.” The governor’s tone was cold and commanding, leaving no room for argument. The urgency in his voice made it clear that he needed to speak with Commander Shas immediately.

Miss Smith turned, walked out the door, and slammed it shut.

Ten minutes later, Commander Shas walked into the governor’s office, sat down, and said, “What is it now?”

The Governor did not spend any time explaining. He urged Commander Shas and his men to go quickly. His orders were to round up the King’s warriors, confiscate their weapons and put them in a safe location. Even though Shas and his men were eager to get to work, the Governor had warned them to proceed with caution. He cautioned them to be aware of their surroundings and to be on the lookout for traps placed by the King’s soldiers. Also, he hoped that they would do their task rapidly and effectively. After handing out his orders, the Governor wished them well and waved off. The Governor was depending on Shas and his men to complete the task successfully, and they were prepared to do so.

The Governor wanted Tim Bodge found, once found, he would have him shot for murdering Mr. Dalugoth, his friend.

The next morning:

Tim awoke with his four so-called wives lying at his side. He had never imagined himself in such a situation, but he couldn’t deny the thrill of it. As he got up to start his day, a hand was placed gently on his chest. “Exactly where do you think you’re going?”

He followed the arm to his right and knew that Deniece was at the other end. He bent over and kissed her. “Well, it’s morning, and the fitness room waits for me.”

“You are right. It’s morning, and being morning means it’s breakfast time. So lay your body back down, my husband, and allow me to have my breakfast.”

“After all, I need to save my energy for your workout.” He smiled and obliged, grateful for Deniece’s care and attention. As he lay back down, he couldn’t help but feel lucky to have her by his side.

Deniece lowered herself under the cover and moved to lay across his legs. Holding his cock while licking and sucking.

Fifteen minutes later, she moved up and laid her head on his shoulder, saying, “Thank you for a filling breakfast, my husband.”

Tim kissed Deniece and headed to the bathroom then dressed in sweatpants and a shirt and headed to fitness room 512.

Fitness Room 512:

Tim walked into fitness room 512 and immediately felt a sense of awe at the sight before him. He looked around and saw women of five different species, all working out on different equipment. There were humans, elves, dwarves, merfolk, and orcs, each of them completely engrossed in their own routines. Some were lifting weights, some were running on treadmills, some were doing yoga, and some were lifting kettlebells. Despite their vast differences in physiology, they all looked like they were having a great time and were getting an excellent workout. The atmosphere in the room was filled with camaraderie and respect, and Tim was inspired by their dedication and commitment. He smiled to himself, excited to see what his own experience in the fitness room would be like.

He sat on the rowing machine with anticipation, ready to begin his workout. He started off by rowing for several minutes, feeling the burn of his muscles, and then moved to the next machine. He tried a few of the weight machines, working on the different muscles of his arms, legs, and back. After a few sets of each, he moved on to the treadmill, running at a steady pace for a few minutes. From there, he moved on to the elliptical machine, pushing himself to go faster and harder. Finally, he finished off with some yoga poses, stretching out his muscles and cooling down. By the time he was done, he was sweaty and exhausted, but also incredibly satisfied. He had achieved his goals for the day and felt great about it.

He left the fitness room and headed to meet the commander and her troops, to run the five miles. Met her and the others at the usual corner and ran the miles and felt good, leaving them, and heading back to his quarters.

Back in his quarters:

Tim walks into the living room and sees Ella sitting on the couch. “Good morning, how are you?”

“Good morning, Tim, I’m doing fine.”

“I’ll be right back; I have to see the wives and the kids.” Tim walked into the kitchen and Deniece and Tammy were there fixing breakfast. He moved toward them kissing each and said, “The food smells great.”

Deniece turned and said, “Get the kids up and Miss C is waiting in the shower.

Deniece turned and said, “Get the kids up, and Miss C is waiting in the shower; by the time you finish with her, breakfast will be ready.”

Tim turned and headed toward David’s room. Tim knocked on David’s door and gently called out his name, reminding him that it was time to start the day. He then made his way to Wendy’s room, hoping she would be up and ready for breakfast.

Having made sure the kids were up, he headed to his bedroom with Miss C. As they entered the bedroom, Tim couldn’t help but feel grateful for Miss C’s presence in their lives. He and she finished their shower and walked into the kitchen right behind the kids.

Tim in his office:

Tim sat at his desk, sipping on a cup of steaming Java. He held his tablet in one hand, scrolling through morning reports with a focused expression. The sound of country music provided a soothing backdrop to Tim’s thoughts.

“Damn,” Tim muttered under his breath as he reviewed the latest data. His brow furrowed, a mix of concern and determination etched into his face. He took another sip of his Java, feeling the warmth radiate through him as he contemplated their next course of action.

“Tim?” a voice called out from the doorway, breaking his concentration. Tim glanced up to see Kipingga hesitating at the entrance.

“Kipingga.” Tim offered a curt nod, gesturing for her to approach. “What brings you here?”

“Tim, we’ve received new intel on the recent attacks near the Katteena border,” Kipingga informed him, clutching a data pad in her hands. “I thought you’d want to see it right away.”

“Good girl,” Tim said approvingly, setting down his Java cup and taking the data pad. He scanned the information, his jaw tightening as he took in the details. “This is worse than I thought.”

“Indeed, Tim. The enemy seems to be growing bolder by the day,” Kipingga replied with a frown.

An unwelcome sensation crept over Tim as he read further, his heart pounding in his chest. He’d seen his fair share of battles, but the ruthlessness and sheer scale of these attacks unsettled him.

“Sarha, gather the crew in the briefing room in two hours,” Tim ordered, While, handing back the data pad to Kipingga. “We need to assess the situation and plan our next move.”

“Understood, Tim,” Sarha said, as she appeared next to him, while Kipingga nodded and promptly left.

As he finished his Java, Tim couldn’t shake the feeling that they were on the brink of something monumental. He hoped that his years of experience and skill as a fighter would be enough to face whatever lay ahead. With a determined flick of his wrist, he closed the daily reports on his tablet and rose from his chair, ready to lead his crew into the unknown.

“Let’s see what you’ve got for us,” he murmured to himself, gazing out at the expanse of stars through the viewscreen.

A soft hum filled the air as the holographic projection of Sarha materialized in front of Tim’s desk. Her form flickered briefly before stabilizing, displaying a screen that showcased the Gladiator 1’s recent exploits.

“Tim,” she greeted, her voice smooth and synthesized. “I have compiled the data from our latest missions for your review.”

“Thank you, Sarha,” Tim replied, As he sat back down, his eyes began to scan the information as it appeared on his desk screen. He sifted through the details, memories of past adventures filled his mind – navigating treacherous asteroid fields with the spiders, then saving Pauline, Dr. Madlyn, and the hospital ship. These experiences had built his reputation as a fearless Tim and skilled explorer.

“Quite a collection we’ve got here,” he mused, leaning back in his chair. “Hard to believe it’s been less than a year since I stepped foot on this ship.”

“Indeed, Tim,” Sarha agreed. “Your passion for exploration and discovery has certainly left its mark on the galaxy.”

“Ha! I suppose it has,” Tim chuckled, then sighed as his gaze drifted towards the viewport, where countless stars twinkled in the darkness. “But there’s still so much out there. Sometimes I wonder if we’ll ever truly understand the vastness of the universe.”

“Perhaps not entirely,” Sarha replied,

“Very true,” Tim said, refocusing on the data before him. He frowned at some of the more recent entries, noting a concerning trend. “It seems we’ve been encountering more violence lately. Do you think this is just an unlucky streak, or is something else going on?”

“Though I cannot say for certain, Tim,” Sarha answered, “there does appear to be a growing unease in this sector of space. It may warrant further investigation.”

“Agreed,” Tim said, his brow furrowing with concern. “We can’t afford to ignore these signs. Gather what intel you can on any potential threats in the region.”

“Understood, Tim. I will begin my analysis immediately.”

As Sarha’s form flickered out, leaving Tim alone with his thoughts, he couldn’t help but feel a familiar pull – a mix of excitement and trepidation at the prospect of uncovering new secrets in the vast expanse of space. There was little time to waste, for the galaxy would not wait for them.

“Let’s see what we can uncover, Sarha,” he murmured, determination shining in his eyes. “And hope we’re ready for whatever lies ahead.”

Tim and the training room:

Tim stood in one of the Gladiator 1’s training rooms, his body tense and alert as he surveyed the artificial environment. The holographic jungle around him seemed to pulse with life, a testament to the ship’s advanced technology. Sarha had outdone herself this time, creating a simulation that not only challenged Tim’s combat abilities but also fed his hunger for exploration and discovery.

“Alright, Sarha, let’s see what new surprises you’ve hidden in this program,” Tim called out as he gripped his blaster tightly and took a cautious step forward.

“Of course, Tim,” Sarha replied, her voice emanating from hidden speakers in the walls. “This particular simulation focuses on hostile flora and fauna. I hope it proves both challenging and engaging.”

As Tim navigated through the dense foliage, he couldn’t help but marvel at the lifelike quality of the simulation. It reminded him of the real jungles he’d explored during his years in military service, unearthing strange creatures, and uncovering the bad guy’s camps. The thrill of the unknown was what drove him, even in a simulated environment.

“Tim, approaching your position is a pack of Gralnars,” Sarha’s voice informed him. “Their venomous bite can be lethal if not treated quickly. Proceed with caution.”

“Understood,” Tim muttered, feeling his heart rate increase. He knew that despite the simulation, any injury inflicted would still cause pain, heightening the challenge and forcing him to rely on his instincts. He raised his blaster and set it to stun, ready to face the threat head-on.

As the Gralnars emerged from the shadows, Tim’s muscles tensed, his mind racing through strategies and potential weaknesses. Years of military training and experience coalesced into a calm, controlled dance of death. He sidestepped a lunging creature, swiftly bringing his blaster down on its skull with a solid crack.

“Nice try, Sarha,” he grunted, firing a stunning shot into another Gralnar that had leaped at him from above. “But I’ve dealt with worse.”

“Indeed, you have, Tim. Your combat prowess is well-documented,” Sarha replied, the tone of her voice suggesting a hint of pride. “However, the next challenge may prove more ... unique.”

“Bring it on,” Tim said with a grin, wiping sweat from his brow as he pressed deeper into the jungle. The anticipation and excitement of an unknown challenge fueled him, pushing him to test his limits both physically and mentally.

“Very well, Tim,” Sarha said. “I’ve introduced a new life form into the simulation – one you’ve never encountered before. It possesses both incredible strength and cunning intelligence. Let’s see how you fare.”

“Sounds intriguing,” Tim responded, his eyes scanning the shifting shadows for any sign of movement. As much as he reveled in the thrill of the hunt, he knew that this was about more than just adrenaline. His skills kept him and his crew alive, and he would never allow them to grow rusty.

“Tim,” Sarha’s voice suddenly cut through the silence, concern evident in her tone. “I’ve detected an anomaly in the ship’s systems. I must attend to it immediately.”

“Understood,” Tim replied, his focus unwavering. “I’ll take care of whatever you’ve cooked up for me here.”

“Good luck, Tim,” Sarha said, her voice fading away as she focused on the problem at hand.

As he stood alone amidst the simulated jungle, Tim felt a surge of determination. Whatever this new challenge might be, he was ready for it. For the sake of his crew and the countless lives he’d pledged to protect, he would adapt, overcome, and emerge victorious.

“Show me what you’ve got,” he whispered to the shadows, his eyes narrowing as he prepared for the next battle.

There on the far side of the clearing, trees began to move. As a figure stepped out of the shadows, Tim gasped, and said, “Deniece, what are you doing in here?”

Deniece looked shocked and began scanning the area. She realized she was in a jungle with tall trees and dense vegetation all around her. She was simultaneously terrified and excited as the air was filled with the sounds of chirping birds and rustling leaves. She said as she advanced a short distance, “What’s going on, Tim? Where are we?”

“Deniece, how did you get here?” While asking this, Tim noticed that her hands were behind her back. He thought, ‘She always walks with her hands to her side.’

Deniece hesitated for a moment before answering. “I took a shortcut through the woods,” she said, still keeping her hands behind her back.

Tim couldn’t shake the feeling that something was off about her behavior. “Deniece, move your hands out in front of you,” Tim commanded as he glanced down at his gun to make sure it was set to stun. Deniece slowly moved her hands to the front, revealing a small knife, and ran toward Tim with the knife in a stabbing position.

Tim’s quick action sidestepped her move and hit her on the backside of the head, knocking her out. He bent to check on her, but the figure disappeared. Tim stood and called for Sarha.

Sarha appeared, her holographic form shifting slightly. She said, “Very good, Tim.”

“Why did you use Deniece?”

“Because if someone else is a shapeshifter, they might use a close friend as well to get close to you,” Sarha said.

“Thank you, I’ll remember that.”

Back in Tim’s office:

Tim entered his office area, his boots echoing softly as he strode across the polished metal floor. The room was bathed in warm light, and comfortable chairs were placed strategically to the left side of the room, to offer visitors a stunning view of the stars through a large view screen. Tim settled in one of the plush seats, feeling the weight of his recent battles lift slightly as he gazed out at the vast expanse of space.

“Tim,” Sarha, greeted him with a holographic smile as she appeared in the middle of the room. “I trust your training session went well?”

“Always does, and thanks for the lesson about friends,” Tim responded, rubbing a sore spot on his arm where he’d taken a simulated hit. “You outdid yourself today, Sarha. That new lifeform was a real challenge.”

“Thank you, Tim. I thought it would be beneficial for both of us to test our limits,” the AI replied, flickering slightly as she brought up a screen displaying their latest missions. “Speaking of which, we’ve had quite an eventful journey so far.”

“Indeed, we have,” Tim agreed, memories of different planets and species flashing through his mind. He studied the screen, noting the various mission reports that detailed their successes and challenges.

“Remember that time on the Red Ant’s Ship? We barely made it out alive after that skirmish with the queen,” Sarha recalled, her voice tinged with concern.

“True, but we also managed to save those refugees and establish a new colony for them, here on the ship.” Tim countered, his eyes lingering on the report. “We’ve faced countless dangers, but we’ve also done some good out there.”

“Your ability to find silver linings is commendable, Tim,” Sarha remarked a hint of amusement in her voice. “But sometimes, I worry about the risks we take. Every encounter has the potential to be our last.”

“Nothing worthwhile comes without risk, Sarha,” Tim replied, his tone firm but gentle. “We’ve trained for this. I trust my instincts and my crew – and that includes you.”

“Thank you, Tim,” Sarha said, her holographic form expressing gratitude. “I do my best to support you and the crew.”

Tim leaned back in his chair, his gaze returning to the screen with the stars outside. “We have a mission to accomplish, Sarha. We explore uncharted territories, encounter new species, and help those in need. And as long as we stick together and learn from our experiences, I believe we can make a real difference out there.”

“Your determination is inspiring, Tim,” Sarha acknowledged. “I will continue to assist you in any way I can.”

“Good,” Tim nodded, allowing himself a small smile. “Now, let’s take a look at these reports and see what lessons we can learn from them. The galaxy awaits.”

The meeting:

Tim moved behind his desk and was ready for the meeting with the fighting crews.

A knock and Tammy, Pauline, the four commanders, and seven others were walking in the door.

The group sat in silence as Tim continued to report on the situation at the border around Katteena. However, it seemed that the attackers were becoming more organized and determined to make a statement. Tim suggested that the group remain alert and take extra precautions to ensure their safety. He also asked us to keep up with the news and encouraged us to remain in contact with friends and family living in Katteena.
The group discussed the risks posed by the situation and began to formulate a plan of action. It
was decided that additional security measures would be put in place, including increased patrols and surveillance. Everyone agreed that communication with those in Katteena should be maintained and that any information should be shared with the group in a timely manner. Tim closed the meeting by reminding everyone to be aware of their surroundings and to take every precaution to ensure their safety. With that, the meeting came to an end, and the group dispersed with a renewed sense of purpose.

After the meeting:

“Alright, Sarha, let’s move on to our next mission,” Tim said as he took a deep breath, feeling the anticipation build inside him. He took a sip of his Java, savoring the rich, toasty aroma that filled his nostrils and the warm liquid that slid down his throat.

“Of course, Tim. I have prepared a list of potential locations for exploration,” Sarha replied, her holographic projection flickering slightly as she brought up the data.

Tim glanced over the list, his fingers drumming lightly against the smooth, cool surface of the metal table. Tim stopped and listened for a moment, “Sarha, that sound, is there something wrong with the ship?”

“No, why.”

Where is that humming sound coming from?”

“I added a sound that gives the impression that the engines are running after hearing several members of the crew comment on how quiet the ship is.”

Tim listened, the hum of the ship’s engines reverberated throughout his office, creating a soothing yet persistent reminder of the power propelling them through the vast expanse of space. He turned to Sarha and said, “Thank you, it is a peaceful sound.”

Tim returned to the list. “Interesting,” Tim murmured, his eyes narrowing as he studied the options presented before him. “It seems we have quite a variety to choose from. What can you tell me about this one?” he asked, tapping on a particularly intriguing entry.

“That is an uncharted planet located within the outskirts of the Andromeda Galaxy. It is believed to be rich in natural resources and may host undiscovered life forms,” Sarha explained.

“Sounds promising.” Tim leaned forward; his curiosity piqued. He rubbed his chin thoughtfully, wondering what challenges and wonders awaited them on this mysterious planet.