Well, took 8 months, sorry about that guys ^^; But here is finally the next chapter of Mystery of the Nexians.

Jack and Gem go on a date, when an old friend returns. Starting back on a return trip to Earth, the Crew are unaware of the plot, brewing.



______________________________________


Christie’s directions were correct, as Gem and I saw what looked like a café at least, down the street we had turned. Chairs and tables were laid out in front of the business, which looked to have some costumers today. A few species we seen before in our travel, and at least two, that had bony ridges on their heads, and yellow scale like skin. The smell of what could be fried meat and vegetables floated out as I took in a whiff of it. “Hmmm, smells good, doesn’t it Gem?” I asked, turning to face her. I could see her, taking in a sniff of the cooking food as she nodded as well. “Agreed Jack, would be good to have something other than those food-packs. Prefer to have real food, from back home, but hey what are you going to do while we are out here?” she said with a shrug.

I nodded in agreement, as we headed in. It wasn’t large, nor was it small, it was the right size. Just cosy a perfect setting for this for couples or those dating to have a good time with each other. Brown stone lined the outside, while the inside, mainly had what I would say was wallpaper. Though the bumps of the stone were still shown here and there giving me the impression at least the walls inside and out were all stone. Steel beams criss-crossed the ceiling, the lighting fixtures attached to the beams.

A counter was to the left as we walked up towards it, food lined under a glass guard, as a door led off to what I could assume was the kitchen. A small alien looked up at us, eyes wide and sparkling with intelligence. It couldn’t be between two and three feet in height, standing on a stool as we looked at it. Reddish-Brown fur covered its body, as I leaned a bit closer curiously. The alien was vulpine like, but seemed to be feral. I blinked a bit as I saw the front paws move, and noticed they were almost like hands. A large smile as it looked up at us, “Customers, welcome to Zentia’s shop. How I may help?”

“Yeah, we were directed here by a friend. I think we did get the right place” I said, as Gem nodded. “We were also told this place is good to have food similar to our home planet” the coyote added, as the little alien nodded a bit. “If you have a list, we can fix you up, no problem” the small fox said, the smile still on its face. I turned to Gem who pulled out a piece of paper and handed it to the feral fox. A quick look over it, and the fox nodded and smiled. “Not a problem, that would be about 30 GC” Zentia said with a smirk, looking back up at us.

The money was exchanged as we headed outside to get a seat. “Well, that was new” Gem said, looking back towards the restaurant. “Well, we still don’t know that much about the species that are out here. Sides, we learn more with each planet” I said with a shrug.

The Coyote nodded as she sat back, and took her hat off. Her dark brown hair, tied into a low hanging ponytail, instead of hanging loose, rested on the back of the chair as she placed the hat on the table. She smiled; a beautiful look if you asked me, as her blue eyes, looked into my own brown ones. “For everything Jack, I want to say, I wouldn’t miss out on this chance for anything. Few back home can say that they met aliens, and seen what we have seen” she softly spoke, as she reached out with her hand. I smiled a little, as her hand wrapped around my, gently and carefully. “I am glad we made some friends out here, and we don’t take this journey alone. But, I am also glad, that at the moment, it’s just you and me, as a couple” she added, as she leaned forward slightly.

I returned the smile, as I leaned forward to kiss her. Softly and gentle, I kissed her for a few seconds before breaking it, as we smiled at each other. Silence passed between us for a few minutes as we just enjoyed the others company. The silence was good, as we looked at each, as I started to think. Making me wonder, just what would have happened if I just stayed on Earth, and didn’t embark on this trip. My thoughts went to Gem, and then to our future, as I wondered what could await us. Hopefully, she would still be there, in the future. Perhaps we settle down somewhere, not sure what would happen to Freya or the others. But, for now, that’s too far into the future. I pulled my mind, back to the present, as I looked at Gem’s beautiful face.

My ears turned, twitching as a noise came from the street. Curious I leaned over, only to see two taurs walking by, talking with each other, a wolf and a fox taur as I watched a bit in surprise. Then again, this world was one of the neutral ones, if I remembered right, so taurs were allowed to walk here, without trouble. I grinned a bit, as I settled back into my seat. Personally, I just thought taurs were awesome. I mean, they were a bit bigger then someone like me, but I have witness a few running and working. That was what made me impressed with them and want to learn more about them.

I turned back towards Gem, as I smiled at her. “When we get back to Earth, I wouldn’t mind introducing you to my mother, Joan. I am sure she would be happy I found someone” I said as I reached out to gently grab her hand. “I know, and I wouldn’t mind introducing you, to my Aunt. She is just a little older than me, but she is as far as I know my only family. Of course, there are my friends, and I like to think of them as family” the coyote replied, gently squeezing my hand.

I looked at her curiously, “Oh yeah? What are they like?”

“Well, Calliapin, she is a good girl, border collie, likes to hang out and easy going. Kolt, she is a mare, and a bit of the strong silent type. You don’t want to mess with her friends, or get her angry that’s for sure. Other than that, she is friendly, helpful; just often more quiet then the rest of us. Then there is Carmen, Calliapin’s mother. Sweet lady, runs a ranch that I was on for a few years before going off to try and find a place for myself” the coyote explained.

“Well, they do sound like they would be interesting to meet. Heh, sorry for not asking about them earlier” I replied rubbing the back of my head nervously. I watched Gem, trying to spot if she was a bit angry or not, with not asking earlier. But, I just saw her shrug, allowing me to sigh a bit.

“Not your fault. We have been seeing the galaxy for the last five years after all. Although, I had a feeling you would ask sooner or later. Or I could of just gone into it” the coyote said with a shrug. She did seem a bit annoyed, at that, as I blinked a bit.

I blushed a bit, as I rubbed the back of my head nervously. I averted my gaze, as I had a look around the café front, looking at the different species. I looked as my ears twitched, taking in the sounds. My tail wagged a bit, as I leaned just a bit out of my seat, to have a closer look at something on the wall next to us. I turned to look at Gem, as I gave a nod, before turning back to the wall. ‘Mmm, a poster seems to be about some sort of singer’ I thought a bit, as I got slightly off my seat.

Next thing I knew, I was lying flat on the ground, my muzzle hurting from the impact. “Jack! Are you alright?” Gem’s voice cut through the pain, as I groaned in pain. “Jack, say something” she said, I could hear her move off the chair. Seconds later I felt her hands on my shoulder as she shook me.

I groaned a bit more, before I lifted my head off the ground a little. “D…did anyone get the number of the ground?” I asked warily. I could hear the coyote let out a long sigh of relief. Shaking my head, I pushed myself off the ground and tried to get into a sitting position with Gem helping.

“Why did, you do that?” I heard her exclaim, though I got the feeling it wasn’t at me. My nose picked up a new scent, yet a familiar one as I tried to put my finger on it. “What? I thought he was getting up, saw the slightly empty chair and thought ‘What the hell’” a voice replied as I turned and looked at the source.

A phoenix/unicorn sat in my seat, an apologetic look on her face. “What? I honest thought he was getting up” Eluna tried to defend herself, as I saw Gem glaring daggers at her. “Sides, you said to drop in when I’m in the area or have information” the Equinix added.

She was an interesting one, always seemed to act rather than think about it too long. Slightly tomboyish, from what we gather, was not really into a lot of girly stuff. But she was a good ally, that and always fun to play against with computer games.

“Hey, Eluna” I groaned as I sat up fully, shaking my head free of the pain. I felt the grip of Gem’s hands as she helped me up, she still wore a look of anger at Eluna. “Eluna, you should really ask, instead of doing that” I added, standing up fully.

The unicorn/phoenix looked down, her yellow eyes looking down cast slightly. “Well, everyone makes mistakes, and we know you enough that it’s something you would do” Gem said, noting the slightly downcast look. She walked closer as she puts a hand on Eluna’s shoulder. “Hey, it’s ok” she said. Eluna looked at her, a smile stretchy at the edge of her beak.

I grunted as I gripped the edge of the table and stood up. “Well, going to have to have Serra have a look at me, see if anything is broken. Doesn’t feel like it, but never know” I chimed in as I stood up fully. I stretched, groaning a little, as I rotated my shoulder. “Yeah, must of pulled something” I muttered.

Gem looked at me, with concern as I waved her off slightly. “Should we go back and get that looked at. Or should we wait until we have had our date” my lovely girlfriend said, as I looked over towards the kitchen and front desk.

“I say we stay, and eat. I mean we already paid for it” I pointed out, Gem nodding in agreement. “Sides, my shoulder doesn’t feel broken, or that badly injured” I added as I watched Eluna move out of the chair, before I slid back into it.

“Well, ok” Gem said as she took her seat. “What about Eluna, here?” she asked, glancing towards her.

“What, I can stay or I can make arrangements to have my ship dock in Freya’s hanger.”

“Sounds like a plan, I am sure Alruna would be happy to have something else in the hanger, sides her and Sam” the coyote said replied after some thought. I nodded my approval to the idea, as I turned to see a robot bringing out the meals with Zentia nodding to us, from the front desk.

From the corner of my eye, I saw Eluna move to another table, giving the robot her own order as she waited. I turned back to the food, and poked it experimentally; it did have similarities to food from Earth. Cutting into the meat, I brought it up on the fork, thinking to myself that I was thankful that other races developed such a similar tool. Leaning forward, I sniffed it a bit, before taking a bite of the piece on the fork.

I chewed, for a bit, letting the flavour roll over my tongue before swallowing. “Tastes a bit like pork” I announced as Gem took a bite of hers, before nodding in response. I ate another piece as I racked my brain for things to say. “So, Gem. Tell me a bit about where you grew up” I suggested, getting a surprised look from her.

“Well, not much, it was a quiet area. I mainly grew up on the ranch Calliapin’s mother ran. She is a nice woman, hard working as well” Gem spoke as she looked at me. I smiled as Gem continued to speak of her experiences on the ranch and the fun times with her friends.


Time past as out time on the planet slowly ran down. Eluna having left to get to her ship just a little bit ago, as Gem and I walked down the streets chatting still. “So, yeah, that’s what kicked started all of this to be honest, wanting to explore and see each spot that a UFO was said to of crashed” I said, as I recounted how I found that alien artefact back on Earth.

The coyote gunslinger chuckled as she held my hand. We were currently walking back towards the space dock, as we chatted. “I had something similar, I guess you can say. A bit before I met you, while I was on Carmen’s Ranch, there was an intruder. We went out to investigate, and what we did find, well I am not sure to this date, what it was. Calliapin reckons, it was a Chupacabra, at least from what we saw before it ran off” Gem told, as we walked down the street.

I paused and looked at her. “Seriously?” I asked in disbelief, staring at her. “Did you really have an encounter, with a Chupacabra?!” I just stared, finding it hard to believe, what I just heard.

“We thought it could be a Chupacabra. We aren’t sure, it was dark, and it moved pretty fast once we shone the torchlight on it” Gem said, with a shrug.

“Well, heh, that’s cool. I wouldn’t mind trying to have an encounter with them. Or that mysterious, so called ‘Night Fox’ that has been spotted throughout the ages. Though, guess that one is a myth” I muttered a bit, wondering a bit on that mystery.

“Well, either way, maybe we can check out to see if the Chupacabra came back to the ranch, when we get back to Earth” Gem suggested as I nodded a bit.

“Sounds like a plan.”


An hour later and Freya was lifting from the surface. Eluna’s ship was docked in her hanger, and I learned, Sif had decided to come along for just a bit. Guess the Direwolf was bored, but I can’t complain. It was good to have a fresh face on board.

As the bioship broke the atmosphere and flew towards Earth, I thought we could make stops at just a few planets. If mainly to resupply, Gem had agreed with the idea.



The Minister looked over the data, sitting in front of him. “You sure, this is the one that will help us achieve, our goal?” he asked, looking at the data on the computer. “Yes, Minister. We have reports she was spotted on a neutral world. We would have approached, but, she was in the presence of a Direwolf. We couldn’t approach” one of his aids reported.

“Mmmm. Well, keep track, of her. Once, this Christie, gets to a world with no evidence of Pirate Armada or Nexians, we can approach, and I am sure we can get her to modify that device to open a way, to the Nexus” The Minister said as he leaned back in his chair. “The Nexians have a dangerous peace of technology in their hands. We can’t let them, use it against us” he continued, swerving his chair to watch the stars drift by.