Chapter 397: VTX Landing

Since the crew had decided to spend the night on VTX, Nolan landed the spaceship in an area that could be described as an airport, where foreigners and visitors were landing as well.

There were better landing spots for what Nolan had in mind, so he took off around twenty minutes after everyone disembarked.

"He’s not going to leave us here, is he?" Roka whispered as she scratched her forehead nervously.

"Can you stop being so anxious?" Gina sighed.

"Yeah, let him leave us here." Tina shrugged. "It’s a great place, apparently."

It hadn’t taken long for Cero to agree with Tina’s words.

VTX was a much, much more diverse planet than Wor was, or than Borg and Jin would be.

There were all kinds of people. Some of them, Cero even had trouble seeing as people, which was extremely racist and speciesist.

Some, like the Worka, had four limbs and walked on two.

Some had four limbs and walked on four.

Some had tentacles, just like Cero did. Others were covered with scales, with a gelatinous and slimy layer of skin, or even with feathers!

’What the hell?’ It was slightly confusing. ’There are so many different kinds of... People, that I can’t even tell who VTX’s natives are or what they look like.’

Technologically speaking, VTX was far from being one of the most advanced planets in the universe.

In terms of openness, however, they were among the most accepting.

The government of VTX had, very early on, decided to open its borders.

Practically all were welcome on VTX, something that Cero noticed right away, as neither he nor the rest of the crew had to show any papers or documentation upon landing.

VTX did have a pretty bad reputation worldwide because of this.

The laws around fighting, stealing, and other crimes were incredibly firm on VTX, but any foreigner landing on VTX pretty much got a clean slate.

As such, VTX obtained a reputation as a safe haven for criminals and thieves, especially those who had acquired a fortune illegally and now wanted to spend it in peace.

What happens outside of VTX stays outside of VTX, basically... Apart from the wealth acquired, which you are more than welcome to bring.

Companies on VTX were also often used as tax shelters by many corporations across the universe, including that of Rea’s family.

"It’ll be just a minute," Cero said.

"Take your time." Roka pursed her lips and rested her back against the wall a couple of steps away.

They hadn’t exited the ’airport’ area yet. Tina and Gina were moving from one stand to another, all set up to direct and reel in newcomers to different businesses.

Cero took a tiny microcomputer chip out of his pocket and placed it into the appropriate opening.

Ring- Ring- Ring-

"I didn’t expect to hear from you so early." The familiar voice said through the phone. "Is everything alright? You’re okay, right?"

Her worry was certainly sweet.

"Everything is good," Cero answered. "I missed you, Rea."

"Oh, did you now?" Her tone betrayed the slight smile that had appeared on her face.

"I did. That’s why I told them to land, so I could hear your voice."

"Stop the bullshit, Cero. How come? Where are you calling from?"

"VTX."

"Huh. What are you doing in that godforsaken place?"

"Have you been?" Cero asked, turning to stare at the scenery of holograms and neon lights. "It’s pretty cool."

"It’s a dangerous and dirty place, apparently," Rea answered. "Though we do have business there."

"I know, that’s why it’s safe for me to call."

"You thought of everything, huh?"

Because the phone card held by Cero had been issued by Rea’s corporation, and so was Rea’s card, this made the call entirely safe to make. Anyone would simply assume that it was business as usual between parties working for Rea’s family.

"So, how are you doing?"

"I’m doing okay." Rea’s voice made it clear she had turned away to check something. "Lith is good too. She’s still staying with me."

"Have you heard from Liz and Raya?"

"Liz is doing her own thing, but she’s probably fine. Plenty of people around her. Raya, I’m supposed to meet tomorrow. She wants to talk about something."

"Uh-huh. The two of you need to talk..."

"Yeah," Rea sighed. "She might just break up with me. Oh, forgot to tell you that the two of us got together after you left. We’ve realized we’re actually more into each other."

"Oh, well, congratulations. Honestly, you couldn’t have found a better person to replace me with."

"Alright, alright." Rea pursed her lips, unable to get an actual reaction out of him. "So what are you doing on VTX? Is Roka with you?"

"Nolan wants to get the ship checked."

"Already?" Rea’s suspicion filled her voice. "Did you guys hit something?"

"Not that I can remember. Didn’t feel any turbulence either."

"Be careful." Rea’s voice was suddenly grave. "I don’t trust that guy. He might have ulterior motives for making you land there."

"Yeah." Cero nodded. "You know me. I’m a careful guy."

"Sure." The sarcasm couldn’t have been stronger. "But seriously."

"I know, I know..."

"Ahh..." Rea let out an audible sigh. "Thankfully, Roka is with you. She’ll keep you out of trouble."

"Oh, will she?" Cero asked with a playful smile as he turned towards Roka.

The latter pointed at herself with a raised eyebrow, silently mouthing the words, ’Is she talking about me?’

Cero nodded. "Why don’t you tell her about that?" He handed the phone to Roka.

As Rea and Roka started conversing, the twins came to steal Cero away.

They held multiple pamphlets for various businesses and activities they could do on VTX, and since they only had a night, the twins argued that they should try to knock all of them out, even if it meant delaying sleep until they hopped back on the ship.

Cero agreed with the idea, though he wasn’t sure about spending the one night on VTX with them.

’Maybe they could get along for a night?’ He asked himself, turning towards Roka, and seeing the expression on her face as the twins talked to him, ’Yeah... I don’t know about that...’