"…What about side businesses?"
"Allowed as long as you don't spread word of our activities."
Luke mulled his thoughts. "What do you know of my father?"
"Your father was Kinder Jaywalker, a swordsman. When he joined the military, he worked as a scout in the uncharted dead man's territory. Eventually he came across an inheritance from an old master."
"Using the inheritance, he became a Shadow Master. He now works as an SS-level spy inside the Insectoid Galaxy."
"I see."
'So he's still alive. Mom would love to hear that. But could she endure being trapped?'
"When someone joins us, they are also allotted several requests. Do you have anything to ask of us?"
"Is there a vacation system in place?"
"Yes, you receive a total of two weeks' stardays per galactic year."
"In that case… I'd like to request that my sister, Leiva, work her residence learning program under the Grand Admiral of the Legacy, the capital flagship of the Galactic Federation."
"I'd also request that my mother, Mia, be allowed to join and leave the base at will alongside Military Security."
"As for my pet whale, I would like a cultivation plan, lifetime feed, and a way to know the doggone gender."
"I would also ask for resources to quickly seal and create more cards, thereby pushing my Original Card forward."
"Additionally, I would like to add a branch location of Xilec's Couch Potato Pizza Parlor, Ice Cream Extravaganza, Adam's Arcade, Brandon's Bagels, and Shi Tzu Sushi to the base under my ownership."
"Other than that, I'm interested in one thing."
"Oh?"
"I want a research lab with a built-in prison system. I want to be sent criminals with high-rating talents. It will help me with my card research for my card creation business."
"Done, done, and done. You'll also be issued a rank 10 Galactic Citizen identity. As for your family, they will similarly be increased in rank."
With a wink, he added, "Follow me. I'll show you to your new quarters."
'Should I have asked for more?' Luke wondered as he was once again teleported.
The lieutenant commander had brought them into a large loading bay. "For those of us with our various side hustles and hobbies, this is where you'll pick up your supplies. Speak to Marta over there and she'll get you squared away."
"I see."
They teleported again.
"This is the EX Learning Bay."
A large, open room full of virtual reality pods circled around filled his vision. With a high ceiling, it seemed to go on forever.
"We let others join us sometimes for practical lessons." Turik mentioned as he teleported them to another room.
"This is the personal cafeteria. Other than using the various restaraunts on base, you can always eat here for free."
They spacejumped again. "This is the community hall. Normally you can find at least one of us here, but the team's busy doing physical training at the moment."
Zoop!
"And this… This is the mech bay."
The new room was a spacious hangar the size of a small moon. They were standing on a balcony on top of one of the room's two walls.
The other two were open to space. A blue forcefield fortified the oxygen.
"Is that…?"
"Yes."
From floor to ceiling, 27 EX-Class Mechs stood. Their gigantuan stature humbled even the largest of space whales.
"They're magnificent."
Lieutenant Commander Turik looked out at the vast sight before him and sighed. "It truly never gets old."
A few moments later, he continued. "The pilot quarters are set in the cabins directly above the pilots' mechs. For now, as you're still in training, we'll let you occupy this cabin behind me."
"It's the same size as the one you'll hold in the future, just more conveniently located. You'll be expected to meet with members of the bridge and some of the strategic staff."
"For now, you can rest in your new dorm. The sleep cycle for the ship is about to start. As of tomorrow, the contract paperwork will be concluded and you will officially join us. At that time I'll introduce you to the rest of the team."
"And last, but not least, WELCOME… To the GFMSS Legacy!"
With that, Lieutenant Commander Turik Davis disappeared. Ready to sort through all of the new information he had been given, Luke opened the door to his new dwelling.
It was time to move forward.