After exploring the planet, we had to make a hyper jump to a very remote place - Pretoria to conclude trade agreements with the participation of management representatives and gold prospectors.
The secret data received from the Coalition for instant and safe movement were entered into the quantum computer and everyone arranged their bodies in special capsules, in which each of us was absorbed, leaving only a face, by a special viscous springy liquid with a tart aroma of mint.
Everything went like clockwork, soon the entire team extricated themselves from the captivity of protective shells and a shining blue planet appeared before our eyes on the captain's bridge, where our cheerful pilot rushed for subsequent maneuvers.
- Ouch! My glorious Motherland! - Dylan exclaimed, trembling as he sat down at the control panel and smoothed his thick, damp hair. — I didn't think I'd be back home so soon... It took so much time to train on a foreign planet of the Coalition... Years and endless training! So... Let's settle down comfortably in the shade in orbit... He-hey!
— How did you get chosen for the star fleet? Was there some kind of competition? — I asked.
— It wasn't so much the competition as the presence of the right connections that helped me get into the service, and I had quite a lot of them, because I'm super active and have leadership qualities...
... Hmm... it shows... and not enough modesty...
— You can't imagine how many people wanted to be recruited!
— And here, on Seymour, there was a competition among the graduates of the flight school, they chose based on special intelligence tests and I managed to achieve high marks.
— One thing is surprising, Commander! — Erokh, frozen next to me, noted. — Aren't you too young for such a position?
— I'm shocked myself!
— The question arises, except for the fact that you have a high level of intelligence, which I do not doubt for a second…
… However, the paramedic, who was hanging in a meaningful pause and hinting at me, sounded sarcastic… He is clearly jealous! What a careerist! How did he end up here?…
— … what surfaces and unevenness did I lick? — I asked in return. — Do you want to clarify this? Right now?
— Exactly!? Too young… because!
— And handsome? There was nothing like that, as you might think, to be honest… — I chuckled contentedly under Erokh's reproachful gaze. — I simply served as an officer on one ship for a couple of years and then was suddenly promoted…
— Wow! Just like that!? Without any special body movements? — the paramedic frowned sternly. — This is suspicious! I know a lot of people worthy of such a responsible post… What does beauty have to do with it? Completely different qualities are important…
— So I have them! What are you teasing me about? It seems like someone was going to take me to the surface?
- I-I... excuse me, Commander! - Erokh was embarrassed. - Dylan invited me somewhere... You will allow me, right?
- To the luxurious prostitutes, I suppose?
- No... not only! To get some cultural enlightenment... There is a lot to see there...
After landing on Pretoria, we, a delegation with five team members, were met by strong dark-skinned brunettes, dressed in original protective clothing made of many metal round and rectangular parts, intertwined with strips of leather, and they led our delegation along a paved passage with tall trees.
- Dylan... Ha-ha! - emotional cries were heard from some of the men, to whom my precious employee emotionally showed welcoming signs with a shining smile.
- Hi-hi... I'm home! Now, finally, I'll get my fill of meat...
... What is he talking about?...
- Are you all twins? - I was being ironic, noticing with concern the strong interest of the men directed at me.
... Probably because of my blondness. Their unambiguous smirks and whispers made me understand how much I would need Dylan's support and protection…
- Ow! Why do they all look so much like me?
- No, well... it's obvious that they're all related at least... cloned you all from the same test tube? You know, it's good that I listened to your advice to leave our women on board. What massive men, God forbid... they'll start pestering them...
- Of course!
- ...and your Pretorian ladies are not visible yet... The men are the same height, but their bodies are just as strong and pumped up... Why is that?
- Well, so... sports, fresh air and meat... - Dylan continued to shine with delight in the bright golden light.
- Meat? What is this?
- Ha-ha-ha... you'll see!
- Ah, dead animals... - it dawned on me. - That's wild!
Then, as I approached the huge pompous building with columns, I noticed a line of slender four-legged creatures with elegantly curved long necks with men sitting on them.
- You eat such beautiful creatures? - I was amazed. - How can you!?
- These are horses... And a friend, and food... we eat more than just them... don't worry about the animals. And how did the Seymurians survive without eating everything that runs and jumps?
— We've never had anything like this... not a single living creature, just plants, mostly roots, ground up and pressed for uniform internal use. We baked flatbreads and that's it!
- Awful! How boring! Do you know how tired I am of the starship's food rations. It's a bit bland and I really miss food heartily fried over an open fire, so that my mouth waters...
- And I can already appreciate how poor our planet is compared to yours. And such luxurious tall trees... And I wish I could see women! How interesting!
- Patience, my Commander! - Dylan mumbled. - I'll do what I promised!
We were led through a marble arch of mass appearance, richly decorated with ornaments, into a huge hall with high columns, set with tables with various food in golden plates.
- Well... ah-ah, gorgeous! - I was surprised, looking around at the men in military uniforms filling the hall.