Chapter 7: "Goodbye Shaelekar. Hello adventure."

Authors note: Well guys, I am so sorry for not updating a while. I've been very busy lately and had barely any time to write. But I'm back now! Yay! Now as the title may suggest, this will be the last chapter on Gantu's home planet (for a while at least, we will be returning there in the future). The next chapter will mark a turning point in this story and a lot of action will follow! Anyway, enough rambling, enjoy this chapter!

It had all gone so quickly. Gantu, Reuben and Rozcor had spent the rest of the day catching up on old times one moment, and then, before they knew it, it was suddenly the next morning. Today was the day that marked misery for Gantu and his once-successful career as a highly respected Captain of the Galactic Alliance. He was not looking forward to his partnership with Chief Zellah Zettar of Shaelekar's finest police force. It was pretty clear to him that the Grand Councilwoman was sending her with him just to make sure he wouldn't slip up again. But what difference could one extra person make in an Interplanetary crisis? That was a question he really should have asked her during their meeting on Turo several days ago.

Gantu couldn't get over his conversation with his old friend Rozcor, the night before the launch. He had told him things about Zellah which put him off of her entirely. Judging by what he had said, she was a horrible person. Too violent and rash with her actions and certainly not the best person to be in a partnership with. And the fact that she had 'apparently' put one of her prisoners into a month-long coma did not make him keen on the idea of having her in his crew either. Don't get him wrong, he would still try to be civil with her, for the sake of the mission if nothing else. He would show a professional courtesy and treat her as he would any other member of his crew. But outside of work, he would want nothing to do with her. Obviously in her case, looks were VERY deceiving. She may have been one of the more attractive members of their species in appearance, but on a personality level, she was as cold as the depths of space.

"Yeah, Chief Zellah is not the easiest person to work with. I should know, I was assigned a mission with her once," Rozcor had told him during their late discussion after he had come off duty. "Back when she was a Major, like me, she put over 20 Shaeleks in hospital after a fight broke out when she was making arrests. Two of those Shaeleks were females. Commander Turak was not very impressed with her approach and it almost cost her job. But she was somehow allowed to keep her gruff nature and continued to enforce it on her prisoners. Watch yourself with her Gantu. She's very unpredictable."

"Unpredictable." Great... that would mean he would have to keep a close eye on her while out on missions. And he still had the task of introducing her to his crew, and more importantly, his security staff. Being his Chief of security meant that she would be in charge of his other security crew. And this did not just mean that she would order them around. Oh, no. She would also be the one to make sure they were trained correctly with weaponry and made aware of the dangers of each mission. Would Gantu be prepared on letting such a reckless Officer be in charge of his crew? He wasn't too sure. What Rozcor had told him had seriously damaged his opinion of her. But he did try to encourage himself that the Grand Councilwoman knew what she was doing and saw something in this Chief that would prove him wrong. He certainly hoped this anyway.

"Rough night's sleep buddy?"

Gantu marched through the doors of the police headquarters tired and groggy from his previous night's catch up with his old friend Major Rozcor. He hadn't been up long. Just long enough to get ready, eat something quickly and go and tend to his ship before their launch. Reuben was also tired, but unlike Gantu, he had fallen asleep on his friend's shoulder half way through the night. Gantu of course did not object, he could hardly blame his little companion for being sleepy. But today he was in no mood to put up with his Galley Officer's shenanigans. If Reuben were to try and mess with him today, things could turn ugly very quickly. He had enough to deal with regarding his new 'rough and tough' partner, let alone his own friend.

"You could say that," he responded as his hand rubbed his eyes in order to keep them open "Rozcor would not stop talking to me last night. I've probably had like 3 hours sleep, at most."

Reuben, perched on Gantu's shoulder (as-per-usual), watched as Gantu's mouth unhinged rather unnaturally as he let out a rather loud yawn. He certainly was tired! Reuben's head shifted down and he gazed at the floor as his towering friend took large strides towards the shuttle bay. He had always observed how wide Gantu's legs spread apart with each step he took. From above it looked like those scenes out of a monster movie, where the hero/heroine would always look down while being carried by the monster. But in this case, there was no monster. Gantu was just a very tall alien, as all.

"Well, chin up buddy," Reuben patted his tusk encouragingly "today we set off on our adventures once more! And that Zellah Zettar Chief will be coming with us," he then smiled and rubbed his hands together eagerly "Oooh, I hope she likes sandwiches."

"Let's just focus on the mission, ok?" Gantu cut his cheery demeanour off at the mention of their new crew member. It was obvious to Reuben that he did not wish to speak of her. But Reuben, the sly little experiment he was, took advantage of this and played it by his own rules.

"Well yeah," Reuben agreed, his eyes then shifting mischievously in the direction of Gantu, "and I hope that is all you'll be focussing on. I don't wanna have to bail you out or save your buttookie if you make a move on her and she kicks your ass."

Gantu paused, his foot in mid air. He harshly stomped his foot to the ground and ignored the many Officers going to and from the space port as his head shot super quickly in the direction of Reuben. His eyes squinted and his mouth formed an evident frown. "DON'T! Don't do it," He warned him. "I am not in the mood."

"Ok, ok," Reuben groaned, backing away ever so slightly. "Jeez, I was just teasing you."

"I know," Gantu continued walking once again as he repeated what he had just stated "and I'm not in the mood."

"When are you ever?" Reuben questioned rhetorically, crossing his arms and shaking his head moodily. Gantu merely ignored him and turned his attentions back onto where he was going.

The doors to the space port automatically opened for the pair as they made their way towards it. And unlike the time of their arrival, the Officers on the port were too busy bustling about their own business to bother noticing Gantu's entrance. He didn't care of course. He hardly ever expected anyone to stop and notice him. No one else on Turo bothered, so why should he care about anyone else bothering to notice him? Their ship, the BRB 11,000, was on the main platform of the port, being prepared by countless members of his own crew as well as some of the port staff. Taking several steps onto the platform before stopping to survey the area, Gantu merely placed both hands on his hips and his head swerved from left to right as his eyes narrowed slightly.

"So," Gantu spoke, a hint of distaste in his tone "where the Blitznak is she?"

"I don't know," Reuben grasped his tusk tightly and hung over his friend's hugely built body as he too looked around for who they were on about. "Are you sure we're meeting her here?"

"Yes," Gantu snapped a little impatiently, crossing his arms tightly "the Commander made it clear to us to meet her here before we take off. This is seriously getting too old."

"You're telling me," Reuben stepped down and sat on Gantu's shoulder glumly "ever since we got here, we've been pushed and shoved and ordered about like a piece of that Urgul," he too crossed his arms and locked his eyes onto Gantu's "your species have certainly surprised me, Gantu."

"Yes," Gantu placed a hand to his chin and rubbed it gently. Reuben noticed his mouth form a rather displeased half smirk, half frown. "It seems that I've been away far too long. I forgot how persistent, aggressive and arrogant my own species are."

"Are you kidding?" Reuben spluttered amusingly "that's you in a nutshell there, buddy! You are just like many of the Officers here. I'm guessing it's a big trait in your species to be like that. And I wonder if the other females of your kind are like Chief Zettar." He then paused and a rather concerned grimace appeared on his features. "Come to think of it, if they are... I don't wanna be around when you finally decide to get a girlfriend."

Gantu couldn't help but smirk. He too had noticed Reuben's shock of seeing his friend's new partner for the first time. He couldn't tell who was more scared of her, that Rookie in the interrogation room or Reuben. Actually... come to think of it, the Rookie looked a slight bit more unnerved than his little Galley Officer. But Reuben had gotten used to Gantu's gruff behaviour over the years, so he was a lot more accustomed to it. He guessed that neither of them were aware that such a female would be capable of being that aggressive. Heck, Gantu himself was still mortified and shocked by it. Back during his college days he had known many of the females in his classes, due to his girlfriend being a part of the more popular groups, and none of them behaved in the ways that he had just witnessed this particular female act. And come to think of it, since his return to Shaelekar, he had seen two other females besides Chief Zellah Zettar. Both of whom were merely Corporals (surprise, surprise). And neither of them spoke or acted the way their superior Officer did. Both were shy and quiet and blended into the background more. That was one of the major reasons most females did not make it far in the Shaelekar police force. You had to be tough and assertive. And as it would have it, most of the female population in his species were not.

"I wouldn't get your hopes up too high there," Gantu smiled, much to his friend's surprise "the females in my species are not usually like what Chief Zettar is. Besides, I am not planning on returning to Shaelekar any time soon, so we can forget about relationships. Especially in my line of work."

Reuben nodded "true, true," he then nudged him encouragingly "well, we can remain bachelors until Jumba makes another female genetic experiment, who loves sandwiches, for me. And when we find a female who is just as much of a simpleton as you are."

Reuben had in fact braced himself for a big pummel at that point. He purposely teased his friend once again, but strangely enough, he didn't feel a thing. Grasping his head tightly with both hands, Reuben opened one of his tightly shut eyes and slowly lifted his head. Gantu, obviously, hadn't heard him. Instead, his head was locked in the opposite direction from where Reuben was situated. Reuben took a moment to notice that Gantu hadn't heard him before he followed his gaze briefly. His eyes scoured through the endless sea of sharks cough-cough Shaeleks and soon found themselves locked upon a familiar face. It was the Chief herself, walking into the space port via the other doors located at the other end. She was not walking in professionally this time. Actually, much to his surprise, she was simply smiling and strolling in rather casually with another Officer. He watched as the Officer, another male around the same height as Gantu, and the female made a somewhat friendly kind of gesture towards one another. Oh Blitznak, she actually WAS smiling! Obviously she wasn't as serious as Reuben had mistaken her to be.

"Who's that dork?" Reuben remarked, leaning into Gantu slightly.

"I don't know," Gantu responded, rather half dazed and not paying much attention to Reuben. "I have never seen him before."

"Ooooh, looks like you've got some competition there buddy," Reuben teased, now bringing Gantu's full attention back on him once more.

Gantu merely grumbled and picked up Reuben with his opposite hand and then proceeded to place his little Galley Officer down on the floor. "Go over there and tell Chief Zettar that she is required on our ship. Tell her I want her to meet the security crew before the launch."

Reuben held an arm up in protest at his tall companion and shook his head "hey, why don't you do it? She's your new partner!"

Gantu crouched down and poked Reuben in the stomach gently as a hint to go in her direction. "Yes, and I am a Captain of a very large ship. I have much more important responsibilities to attend to, than compared to you. Now go over there and do as your commanding Officer has instructed, and tell our newest crew member to come here and make herself acquainted with the rest of the crew." He poked him again, this time more harshly as he leaned in and his eyes squinted with a slight seriousness about them. "Do it, or I cut your baloney orders to half."

Reuben gasped at that last comment. A life without all of his baloney was a life not worth living. He knew at this point that he would have to do as Gantu had instructed. His precious sandwiches were at stake! He could always tell when Gantu was desperate for his sandwich making friend to do favours for him. He always threatened to cut his supplies down or cancel the orders for his sandwich magazines he had teleported from the Earth importing asteroid. And of course, Reuben took it all completely seriously. He knew that most times, Gantu wouldn't have the gall to do such a thing, but if he ever did, Reuben would be able to put up a fight of defence if he did all of these good deeds for his best friend. And in all fairness, it was Gantu's salary that helped him have his endless supply of sandwich imports come through. Their pay was a lot better since they had stopped working for Hämsterviel. So with this, it meant more sandwiches!

"Alright, alright," Reuben shoved Gantu's finger away as he stormed off in the direction of the female Shaelek "but if I get squished by one of your overly-large police buddies, I'll make your life a living nightmare!"

"And be quick about it!" Gantu shouted to his leaving companion as he began to get back up onto his feet "we have lots to do in very little time, before the launch!"

"Yeah, yeah, whatever..." Reuben's voice could barely be made out. Gantu could no longer hear what he was saying and merely brushed it off before he headed in the opposite direction to where his ship was located. He would gather his security crew together in order to introduce them to Chief Zettar. He figured the sooner they were introduced, the better and less stressful it would be on him.

Reuben sulked as he flailed his arms about dramatically, moaning about how incompetent and big headed his best friend was. He knew why he had sent him to retrieve Zellah. He was too scared to do it himself! What a baby! He had just chickened out of talking to a girl! That was something a shy school boy would do, not a Captain of the Galactic Armada. Reuben decided it would be quicker, and safer, if he crawled on the floor rather than walked. He was taking a huge risk making his way across the space port filled with aliens over 10 times his own size. Next to no one noticed him. Therefore, if he did not watch where he was going, he could be squished like a bug by the large feet of the many bulky male Shaelekean aliens, all storming about the port around him. As he approached the female Chief and the unknown male Officer, he noticed they had stopped to talk in a little corner nearby a small deactivated Shaelekean police cruiser. Getting up from his crawling position after getting away from the busy crowd, Reuben swiftly stood on two legs once again, adjusted his uniform and his hat and then marched forward proudly. He took about 5 steps before he swiftly halted. The two Officers were now talking. And from what he could hear, they were talking about... Gantu?!

"So, today's the day eh?" The male questioned, his tone rather relaxed. Reuben noticed the female gaze down in his general direction and quickly hid behind a crate of supplies that was left discarded nearby. She hadn't spotted him. Thank Polluxar. But instead, she leant on the side of the police cruiser with one arm and took a sip from the cup she was holding in the other.

"Yeah," she responded dimly, gazing at the contents in her cup. "Three words... Kill. Me. Now."

The male Shaelekean Officer heartily laughed in response. Reuben's head turned from behind the crate and gazed up at the pair. He noticed Chief Zettar's expression. She was not as amused as her colleague. The male shook his head and still let out the occasional chuckle before speaking again.

"Oh come on now," he smirked "it can't be all that bad! You'll be going around the galaxy catching bad guys. Think of it as an adventure."

"Are you kidding me Jaarl?" She placed her free hand on her hip as she addressed the other Officer, who was now known by the name Jaarl. Reuben's eyes shifted between them. The male seemed a lot more relaxed than the female. And Zellah obviously, judging by her posture and what she had just said, was not thrilled to be joining their crew in the Galactic Alliance. Yet another thing she shared in common with Gantu. The list was ever growing! "You really think, that I'm gonna think of it as an adventure?" She continued "I'm being forced into working for the Galactic Alliance, of all organizations! The ones who constantly get escapees running all over the galaxy because they don't have the balls to enforce tough measures on their prisoners! I'd much rather work for the Klegonian police force than the Galactic Alliance. At least the Klegonians aren't all puffs!"

Is this what she really thought of the Galactic Alliance? Reuben's eyes widened in surprise. She hadn't seemed like this when they were first introduced. But then again, she was with her superior Officer that entire time. And as she was claiming, she was being "forced" into this partnership with Gantu. Reuben had guessed it had all been set up by the Commander on her side, just as it had by the Grand Councilwoman with them. She wouldn't be able to bitch about it in front of her superior, but she certainly could to anyone else. Just as long as Commander Turak was not present to hear it.

"But your partner is a Shaelek too," Jaarl explained, he then tilted his head slightly and continued to speak. Reuben was now all ears, they were now speaking about a certain someone who he was well acquainted with. "Actually, speaking of him... what's he like?"

Reuben locked his eyes onto the face of Zellah, he studied her expression closely. She was about to say her real opinion on his best friend. She was still oblivious to his presence; and Reuben knew that eavesdropping was a bad thing. But this was his best friend they were talking about. He did have the right to know about how this female really thought about her newly assigned partner and 'senior' Officer. Her facial expression actually went rather blank, and much to Reuben's surprise, she placed her cup on the wing of the police cruiser and leant up against it further. It took her several moments to form the words to respond to her fellow Officer's query. Obviously she was choosing the right words to say to him. However, the suspense was killing poor Reuben.

"He's..." she placed both hands onto the cool metal as she spoke, her tone unrecognisable. "Well, let's just say, he's very strange. Actually no, strange would be an understatement. I'd call him a right doofus, if I had to choose any one word to describe his character."

"Doofus?" Jaarl snorted in amusement.

"Yeah," she nodded simply "during our briefing, he hadn't a clue about what was going on with the criminal gangs. It was like explaining it all to a Rookie! And after my interrogation, he looked at me as if I were insane! Not to mention, I felt rather uncomfortable with his constant staring. Like I said... he's strange."

Reuben turned his body and leant back against the crates as he continued to overhear the conversation between the two Shaelek Officers. Well... this was not what he expected to hear from her mouth. He was either thinking that she would speak highly of him, or rather nastily (the more likely of the two options). Instead, she was actually rather neutral. Of course, she wasn't the first person who thought Gantu a little strange. Then again, even Reuben knew his companion was completely off the top of his head from time to time. And the term 'doofus' was a word Reuben often used to describe him. That was something which actually made Reuben, for an unexplained reason, actually like her. If this was what she thought about Gantu, and if she agreed with Reuben's opinions, the pair would get along just fine. And perhaps she would be a great addition for 'insult back-up' with him. He always needed some extra back-up when it came to insulting his best friend. And she would be the perfect one to join in.

"Or perhaps he likes you, eh?" Jaarl nudged her teasingly as she inched away from him. Reuben noticed a small, rather disgusted, scowl appear on her face. Similar to the look Gantu had given him with the exact same teasing. But unlike Gantu's look, Reuben could tell this was genuine. Gantu's impression on her had obviously not gone down well. Yet again, she didn't seem the type of female to swoon at every male in the room. She was one of the few who actually stood her ground against them. Perhaps she was against all males, or at least having any sort of physical contact (other than violence) with them.

"Please," she swatted his arm away, her tone very displeased "don't insult me. Sure he has rather large muscles, larger than most of the Officers here even. But I'd rather not think about whatever is going through his head, especially about me. I've had too many idiots confront me about the opposite sex in my lifetime. I don't need a wannabe 'Captain' of the 'Galactic softie Armada' be added to that list, thank you very much."

"Oh Zel," Jaarl smirked and wrapped his arms around his chest. "So, I take it you're gonna treat him with the same contempt you treat everyone else, with the exception of me, here?" She tilted her head and her soft purple eyes widened in response to his comment. He shook his head and then proceeded to place both of his bulky hands on his hips rather seriously. "But if you scare him away, you won't catch the bad guys!"

"Oh, I don't think he'll be scared of me that easily Jaarl," she smirked and picked up her cup again and swirled its liquid contents around gently. "I think he's got the ego the size of the Whirlpool Galaxy. Judging by his past record, he's been known to never back down from a fight."

"Oh Blitznak," Jaarl muttered, his eyes widening in surprise for a split second before they dimmed down again and his mouth shifted into a very sly smirk. He edged closer to his colleague and spoke closely to her. Luckily though, Reuben's sensitive ears could hear what was being said. "Please, just do me one favour. If he does challenge you to a brawl, be sure to pick up a camera and document it all. I would pay to see the Captain of the Galactic Alliance go up against you. He wouldn't stand a chance!"

Reuben couldn't help but agree there. He knew that Gantu wouldn't stand a chance against Zellah, if she ever challenged him to a fight. She was without mercy. Especially with the way she had treated that prisoner in the interrogation bay yesterday. Gantu however, was a big softie deep down. He had lost tons of fights, most of which being with his own cousins and several times to some humans. One of those humans being an old lady. Gantu had told him never to speak of that moment, but Reuben couldn't help but chuckle at the very thought of Gantu being taken down by an old lady. He only wished he had been there to see it in action.

Suddenly, Zellah and Jaarl's attentions were raised in the opposite direction. The same direction Reuben had just headed from. He followed their gaze but couldn't see anything due to him being so tiny when compared to the other Officers all stalking around the space port in a great hurry. But Reuben's confusion was soon brought to a quick halt when Jaarl spoke up.

"I am to assume, that he is your new partner?"

Reuben's eyes widened in a horrific sort of way. SHIT! He hadn't done what Gantu had instructed. Instead he was leaning against a crate of food supplies, listening in to the private conversations of their newest crew member and a random Officer. And Gantu had ordered him to be quick about it. Blitznak! He would be in big trouble as soon as he got back to the ship.

"Yep," Zellah simply put as both of their attentions were locked upon a Shaelek attired in a completely separate uniform to their own. He was calling out to them from across the space port from the entrance of his ship. From the height of the two Shaelek's, they could both see several smaller lizard-like aliens in white and black armour standing by him. From this distance they looked rather small, but they stood out like sore-thumbs when they were compared to the rest of the blue uniforms that circulated the port, worn by each Shaelekean Officer.

"You weren't joking about those muscles," Jaarl remarked, waving in response to the Captain's call out. "Woooo, boy! Don't lose it while working with him Zel. You don't know how many girls back home would kill to be with a guy built like him. They'll all be jealous of you."

Chief Zettar suddenly burst into hysterics and keeled over for a split second. "Hahahahaha, are you kidding me?!" She patted the male's shoulder and shook her head, breathing in deeply in order to regain her usual posture. "You don't know how much I'd give to swap with any of them. They can have this guy for all I care. I certainly don't want him!" She then grimaced as she turned her attentions back in the direction of Gantu once more. "Oh Blitznak, he's coming over..."

Reuben couldn't help but restrain laughter at the conversation he had just heard. Since when was Gantu considered an attractive guy by the females of his own species? He had gone out with one female throughout his whole life, and just look at how she had turned out. Reuben had always guessed that Gantu's muscle was just a natural thing his species gained. But judging by the other Officers here, it was something they had to work for, in order to gain it. But this Zellah Zettar certainly, judging by what she had just said, did not find him attractive. This blew all of his comments about her liking him out of the window. But Reuben knew that this wasn't what Gantu thought about her. He could still get a kick or two out of that at least right? But after he had heard of Gantu's sudden movement, he began to panic. What should he do? Hide? Make his appearance known? Stay put? Go away? What? In the end, Reuben just stayed where he was and awaited his friend's arrival at the scene. He would make his presence known when it was necessary. Not any time before then.

Meanwhile, Gantu had lost his patience with his Galley Officer's incompetence. He couldn't send him on a simple mission without him goofing off could he? When would he learn? The Captain had gathered his security crew from within the ship and awaited the arrival for Chief Zettar and Reuben, but as time progressed, neither of them showed. It only took a simple focussed eye around the space port to notice that Chief Zettar and her mysterious male companion were unmoved. Instead, they both continued to talk as if nothing had bothered them. Where in Blitznak had Reuben buggered off to now? There were no sandwich shops on this space port, as he was made aware of at least, so where else could he have gone? Eventually losing patience. Gantu called out to the Chief, only to get partly-ignored by her and waved at by her male companion. He then took it upon himself to make his way in their general direction. Instructing his security crew to accompany him.

He had noticed the stance and posture of the two Officers as he made his way through the busy crowd of Shaelekean Officers on the port. Neither of them looked too thrilled to be approached by him. Though, the male was trying to show a more positive approach rather than his female companion. Zellah turned her head expectantly in Gantu's direction as he walked up to her. A forced smile appeared on his face as he stood to attention and addressed her as a superior Officer would to his crew member.

"Chief Zettar," Gantu spoke, his voice low and his tone proud and professional. His hands fell to their sides and his head held firm. Zellah returned his gesture by doing the same. She dragged her body off of the side of the idle police cruiser and stood proudly also. She stomped a foot down and placed her hand to her forehead, giving him a quick salute.

"Captain Gantu."

Behind Gantu, the three security guards shifted awkwardly. All three, wearing their full body armour, with their faces shielded by their helmets. Each of them were carrying their blasters in both of their arms, and the occasional sound of their arms clenching against each other could be heard from above. Zellah's attentions went from the Captain, down to these three Officers. She immediately knew who they were. But she allowed Gantu to give her the benefit of the doubt and introduce her to them formally.

"Chief Zettar, I'd like to introduce you to the security crew on board the BRB 11,000. These Officers are who you will be in charge of, during your time with us as Chief of security." Gantu pointed down as the Officers stepped forwards and stood to attention before the female Shaelek.

"We are honoured to make your acquaintance ma'am," one of them spoke through their visor. Zellah smiled and bowed her head as a sign of respect for the Officer.

"As am I sir," Zellah responded calmly.

Reuben sought this as an opportunity to make his presence known once more. He slipped out, very cautiously, from behind the crate and walked over towards his fellow crew members, acting as if nothing was wrong. Gantu's head gazed down and a disapproving scowl appeared on his face as Reuben joined them, standing nearby the taller male lizard-like security guards.

"Hey, guys," Reuben smiled, waving a paw up at Zellah and Jaarl, who both gazed down in alarm at his sudden, and rather casual, presence. "So, what did I miss?"

Gantu grumbled under his breath and muttered something which no one else could hear. He simply kicked Reuben behind his leg rudely and made a half-grimace, half-forced smile as he gazed back up at the sketchy Chief. Her purple eyes looked very puzzled and slightly displeased at him. His presence was obviously getting on her nerves.

"So," Jaarl smiled at the Captain and held out his hand as a polite gesture "you are the famous Captain Gantu, I believe?"

"Yes," Gantu shook his hand, rather confused as to who he was. "And who might you be, if you don't mind me asking?"

Jaarl and Zellah exchanged a rather strange glance. Judging from where Gantu was stood, he almost thought he saw, smirking. Had he missed something here? He, unlike Reuben, had no idea of what these two really thought about him.

"I am Major Jaarl sir," the male Shaelek responded politely. "I will be taking Chief Zettar's position while she is assigned to your crew."

Gantu merely nodded and turned his head away from the male. There was something about him which made him feel uneasy. He was about his age and height, and he had less of a muscular built physique than compared to him. Yet, despite this, Gantu, for a reason he could not figure out, actually felt threatened by this guy. Was it because he seemed rather friendly with the female Chief? No... why should that bother him? He couldn't put his finger on it. But soon enough, Gantu would simply shake it off when another thing would grasp their attentions.

"Ah, I see everyone is all here!" Another voice broke out from behind. Everyone turned their bodies to face the person who spoke. It was the Commander.

Chief Zettar placed both hands behind her back calmly and tilted her feet up and down from the ground, making her slightly taller for a split second. The Commander grasped the shoulder of Major Jaarl and Chief Zettar with a rather proud grip. He then turned to Gantu, his security crew and Reuben and grinned humbly.

"Captain, you see before you, the finest Officers in the Creblock quadrant," his voice boasted strongly. Reuben shook his head slightly and rolled his eyes. This guy was too egotistic with the way he spoke about his crew. There was pride, and then there was being conceited and self-righteous. And this Commander had ticked both of those boxes. "I see you have met Major Jaarl, brilliant, strapping young man! He will be the perfect replacement for Zellah here," the Commander winked over at his younger female Officer. Gantu had noticed the pride swell with the way the Commander looked at her and her male Major companion. He was acting, kind of, like a father figure to the pair. Perhaps that was what he viewed himself as. After all, he was old enough to be their father. Turak then let go of each of their shoulders and his eyes locked onto Gantu once again as he finished off his sentence. "while you go about your business taking down these criminal gangs that is."

Gantu merely nodded in response and tried his best to put on a smile. In all truth, he hadn't the time or the energy to waste on such silly talk. This was a police port, not a high school graduation ceremony! But he finally sought the opportunity to intervene before the superior, and rather big-headed, Officer could boast any more about his employees.

"Speaking of which, I must say it is coming up to the time that we should start out on our launch," Gantu tried to be as polite as possible with the manner of which he was speaking. The Commander's satisfied features suddenly dropped and he placed a hand in his uniform pocket to pick out a tiny time-hologram (what most aliens used instead of the Earth wrist or pocket watch). He merely gazed at the hologram with a rather uneasy gaze and nodded briefly.

"Yes Captain," he finally said turning to Zellah in response "Chief Zettar, it is time to say your goodbyes. I trust everything is prepared?"

She nodded "yes sir."

The Commander turned back to Gantu one last time and placed out his hand. Gantu accepted it almost instantly and shook it several times. "I leave my Chief of security in your capable hands Captain Gantu. May you have the best of luck on your upcoming missions, and may the Gods of Shaelekar be with you both."

He released his grip on the younger Captain's hand and turned back to his Chief. "You have five minutes to say your goodbyes to Major Jaarl, Zellah. Then I insist that you leave with the Captain." He saluted boldly to her and she immediately returned his gesture. "I take my leave of you all. I am sure you both will bring great honour to our planet." And with this, he tilted his head in the direction of Gantu and his crew before he left their presence. This time for good. Gantu knew this would be the last time he would see the Commander of the Shaelek police force for some time. And in some ways, he was thankful for it.

Gantu, Reuben and the security crew merely stood aside and watched as Chief Zettar and her male Major companion said their fond farewells. Reuben couldn't help but look up and exchange a strange glance with his friend as they watched the female and the male exchange a tight embrace. It was weird seeing her like this. Especially since Major Rozcor had told Gantu that Zellah Zettar was pretty much as cold as ice around other Officers. Yet here she was, exchanging a friendly embrace with one of the said Officers. This guy had to be pretty special to her, for her to do such a thing as this. Perhaps she was his girlfriend or something? That was an assumption Gantu had made. Reuben however, just saw them as overly attached friends. Either way, it was none of their concern. It was unlikely that they would ever see this guy again, so what did it matter? And even though they didn't know it yet, that was something which would come back to haunt them in the future.

The male Officer took his leave sooner than Gantu had anticipated. He had assumed that he and his crew would be standing there awaiting their new member for at least five minutes. But surprisingly she was ready in two. Before Gantu had known it, his attentions were suddenly raised when the female Chief stood barely two feet away from him, her arms crossed and a neutral expression on her face. He almost jumped in surprise when she stepped before him.

"I am ready for action sir," she spoke expectantly. Gantu nodded and stepped aside, his arm ushering her to step forward in front of him. She did not take long to oblige him. Soon they made their way towards the ship. The security crew in front, then the new Chief, then Reuben and then finally Captain Gantu himself. Walking across the port, Gantu noticed a lot of Officers gaze in his general direction. They all paused in their general activities and stood to attention as they bustled past. They were all marking a sign of respect for the departure of their Chief of security. It was kind of like the respecting welcome Gantu had received from them the day before. But this time, he figured it was more because of Zellah Zettar's departure. She was a well respected Officer of a very high rank. Naturally all her inferior Officers would mark a sign of respect for her.

As they made their way up the ramp leading up to the BRB 11,000, the Chief stopped one final time to give a salute to her fellow Shaelekean Officers. As she did this, the whole port erupted with cheering and applause. She smiled contentedly and remained stood, taking it all in, for several moments before she made her way inside. Reuben followed her behind. But Gantu however, stopped in his tracks for a moment. He turned around and his eyes softened as they slowly scoured the port for a final time. He hadn't been here a day, and already he was unsure about leaving. In some ways he wanted to stay, but at the same time, he knew that it was not where he belonged. He belonged in the depths of space, fighting the bad guys, each of various species and origin. He took a deep inhale of air and exhaled out. Leaning his arm on the side of the ship, he remained motionless for several more moments. That was before he felt a small touch on his leg from below. Gantu's head peered down to see Reuben standing there, his face rather encouraging and at ease. Gantu smiled and gazed back up at the crowd of his own kind, for one final time.

"Well Reuben," he spoke, his head not moving in the direction of his smaller companion "this is it. This is what marks the beginning of one hell of a ride. I'm not sure I'm up for it."

"None of us are," Reuben added, his paw tapping Gantu's leg encouragingly again "but we'll battle through it. We always do! Together."

"Thanks buddy," Gantu's mouth formed a grin and his head finally peered down again. Reuben tapped his leg another two times before he finally turned to head back into the ship. Gantu soon followed and did not bother to look back. "Well," he stopped a moment and turned to press the button for the door to close. "Goodbye Shaelekar. Hello adventure."

Authors note: On that note, everything will be changing from now on! Gantu and Zellah's relationship will finally have a turning point from this point onwards. I hope you are all enjoying this story so far. If you are, then please feel free to comment on it! I am all open to people's views. Thank you all for reading and the next chapter will be up very soon!