Onward! To the Court of House Jabir

“I see… so I know where Captain Artemeus’ treasure is? I don’t recall him having one,” Maya stated.

“That might be on part that you have no memory of it. Perhaps you’re meant only to be a map,” Olaf replied in his deep and kind tone. “Try searching your memory for something significant. Maybe you might find a clue.”

“Well regardless, I’m coming with you,” Manriki declared. “And so are the rest of my friends. I’m getting my fair share of what I won.”

“Technically, you didn’t open it. Your lovebird their did,” Sorbet retorted.

“Then I get the 10% then. The rest of you will get the remaining ninety, so why feel sore?” Yumi asked triumphantly. Olaf shrugged.

“Alright then. Sorbet, call the rest of the crew. We’re leaving in the morning so tell ‘em not to get too comfy,” Kari ordered. Sorbet smirked with delight and began to make the calls.

Soon the day turned to night but the lights of the big city were a like beacon to the west. At the port the stars were like a blanket that covered the sleepy little city that had a nonexistent nightlife. The calming waves rocked the ships like cradles for the men and women in each of them to sleep soundly, though Kari was at the helm of the Cobalt Star wide awake with the box open.

“Maya, do you remember Artemeus? Who was he? What was he like?”

“I have no memory of Artemeus outside what Kasugai programmed me to remember. More than likely, it’s all things you knew. All I have are bits and pieces. I wish I could be of more help…,” Maya said with grief. Kari smiled knowing she couldn’t get an answer even before she asked.

“Have you found any clue where we should go?”

“I have. In every search I conduct of my own memory, a single name keeps popping up: Jabir. I’m not sure what sort of name it is since my search is only confined to my memory.”

“Jabir…,” stated a male’s voice.

Kari turned around to see Lance Descant. He was a young man who was 26 years old. He had blonde hair, a rough face, brown eyes, a dark complexion at night, and a short nose. His hair was kept in place by a blue headband while his clothing was very simple: green cloth shirt with a V-neck and cream cloth pants that fit tight around his waist. He had a single scar from a serious wound above his right eye and a similar one below his left eye. He was born in the Federation, unlike Kari, but joined the crew only a few years ago.

“I remember hearing that name before…,” Lance stated curiously. “Hey Gallium, you still awake?”

“I am now,” stated the ship’s AI, Gallium. He sounded more Human than Maya did, though he was more akin to a scholarly tone than Maya’s concerned speech.

“Run a search on Jabir as a last name outside the Milky Way.”

“Done,” he said in nearly a second. “The very first item that came up was the House of Jabir, one of the ruling families in the United Kingdoms of Arow-teesee.”

“We have to travel to the UKA? That’s in Andromeda! We’ll have to travel for at least three to four weeks!” Kari said with concern.

“I’m sorry Captain, but it seems that is what Madam Maya feels is best.”

“Madam?” Maya said with a bashful tone. “Oh my…”

“We’re still leaving tomorrow.”

“Kari… is that such a good idea? The Raygonian Empire is outside the Milky Way as well and the only safe way in and out is through the Neutral Strips. Even those will be protected by merchants and Black Comets.”

“The Raygonian Empire consists all of the Triangulum Galaxy and is close to Andromeda. Were we to travel in open space to the UKA, we’ll definitely face problems with the Raygonian fleets. Most of the Allied nations stay confined to the Milky Way unless its for Human colonies in Andromeda or the Primian colonies elsewhere in the Local Group,” Gallium explained.

“So we have to go there in the hopes of finding a clue?” Lance asked. “Even if we leave tomorrow, the Raygonians are being more hostile and it could lead to a war between them and the Primians. And when the Primians get involved, so will the rest of the Milky Way.”

“So? We’re Blue Stars! We take a challenge and go forth with absolute force.”

Lance smirked, turned his back slowly, and shrugged as he walked out.

“If you say so Kari. You’re the Captain. As such, you might wanna catch forty winks.”