Inventory

Once again, I did the universal (what I thought was universal) sign for cutting something off, and Jun Li ended the communications.

"Is it over?" I asked, not 100% sure that Pippa wouldn't start calling all over again simply because she didn't have the last word.

"They are no longer trying to hail us, if that is what you are asking," replied Jun Li, a thoughtful tone in his voice. "Was that accurate? What you said?"

"I said a lot of things, and to the best of my knowledge, they are all accurate. What specifically are you talking about?" I ask as I repositioned myself in the chair so my back was resting against one of the armrests and my legs were flung over the other one. Give me a pillow and I banket and I could make myself a nice little bed here.

Would have to add those to the list too. If my memory wasn't as good as it was, I would probably have to start writing things down, but as it stood, I should be fine.

"Do you have a target on your back?" asked Jun Li.

"Thanks to her? Yes. There is no way you can dangle bait out there and expect people not to be tempted," I said with a shrug of my shoulders. I was pretty sure that the laws of supply and demand were in effect all over the galaxy. The less supply, the more demand.

"How would you be bait?" continued Jun Li confused.

"Because there are only 11 humans in this entire galaxy, from a previously unknown planet. There will be collectors that want us to display us, alive or dead, in their collections to prove their social standing. There will be flesh peddlers that will want us simply because we are unique. We are small, compact, and can take a beating... all things that are useful to slave owners…" I paused and looked up at the camera. "Are there slave owners here?" I asked.

"There are at least 15 plants dedicated to the purchase and supply of beings for that purpose in this sector alone," admitted Jun Li.

"So, there's that," I said with a sigh as I rubbed my forehead. Was it bad that I was more curious about which alien franchise was closest to reality than I was about being sold as a slave?

"But you are listed as an endangered species, the Alliance is duty-bound to protect you," Jun Li pointed out, and all I could do was scoff.

"And you are to be killed on sight, yet here you are," I said, not trying to be mean.

"Yet here I am," repeated Jun Li, his voice soft. "So, what are we going to do?"

"That part is easy," I said reassuringly. "We are going to go to Earth, pick up some supplies and a body for you, and then we are going to explore every corner of this universe and the next one too if possible. We will do what we want when we want. And nothing and no one can stand in our way."

I stood up and left the bridge. I needed to do some exploring on the ship to know what we needed and what we didn't. Well, let's face it, there was nothing that we couldn't use more of. Sometimes I could swear to God that I would do well in a zombie apocalypse with my need and ability to squirrel away supplies.

"Are there zombies out here?" I asked, wanting to confirm whether or not I needed to prepare for them too.

"Zombies? I don't understand what those are," said Jun Li, his voice following me as I walked down one of the long hallways. I didn't know where to start, but I figured I would begin where this hall ended. Hopefully, I could find a map along the way.

"I guess that at minimum, a zombie is a reanimated creature with a never-ending appetite and is really hard to kill," I said with a shrug of my shoulders. I guessed that if I had to explain it to him, then the universe didn't have them.

"Oh, yeah, we have one planet with beings such as that. It is not on any of the tourism brochures, but if you wanted to visit I am sure we could sneak in," he said as if I was begging him to go there.

"How about we put that planet on a no-fly list and just avoid it, shall we?" I replied with a strained smile. An entire planet filled with zombies? It was no wonder their tourism economy was not up to standards. The travel agencies probably had to add 'bitten to death' or 'possible unwilling transformation' as part of their insurance package at the very minimum.

"What is a no-fly list?" asked Jun Li. I was still wandering down the corridor with no idea where I was going.

"It is a list of places that you, or we, have deemed to be too dangerous to travel to. Like an entire planet of zombies."

"Ah, okay then," he replied and there was a brief pause. "Planet X86970 has been added to the no-fly list."

"Thanks," I said cheerfully. "Now, I don't suppose you have a map or something of the ship that I can I have. I want to do inventory, but I have no idea where I am going."

A bot appeared out of a little door at the bottom of the wall to my right and zipped over to me. In its hands was what looked for all intents and purposes to be an iPad and it raised the tablet up over its head to that I could easily reach it before darting back into the wall.

"This will provide you with access to all of my files, including inventory," said Jun Li.

"Inventory?" I asked in confusion. I guess it would make sense that he had access to all of the inventory on board, but I didn't know how accurately the lizards kept things.

"Everything has been listed according to category, use, quantity, and planet of acquisition. All told, there are 10.87 million different categories that can be subdivided to find what you are looking for easier." The ship almost sounded bored while my mind was wheeling.

"10.87 million supplies?" I asked, not understanding how Jun Li could be holding that much stuff.

"No. There are 10.87 million categories including, edible goods, toiletries, land-based transportation, air-based transportation, water-based transportation, weapons, cooking supplies…"