"Assignments can come later." The Vice Captain's gaze settled on Neo, "First, someone needs to teach this rookie the basics. I don't want unnecessary trouble when those space worms come knocking."
Flame Boy leaned back in his chair with a scoff:
"Yeah, yeah… but who's doing it?" "Because I'm definitely not volunteering."
Max raised both hands in surrender. "Don't look at me, Captain. I'm fully booked this week. Besides, I can't neglect my love. Angelica gets anxious when I'm not around."
Angelica, the young woman with short purple hair, shot him a sharp glare.
"Do you want a beating, Max? We're partners, not lovers." she snapped.
Everyone let out a chuckle.
Captain Ajaz sighed and rubbed his temple before his gaze turned toward the most unusual member of the team.
The bald muscular man sat cross-legged on his chair, dressed in nothing but a thin orange cloth wrapped around his waist.
His most noticeble trait: strange markings covered his entire body, looking almost alive.
"Monk, what about you?" Ajax asked.
The monk brought his palms together calmly.
"Amitabha. This humble one must pray in all thirty-six directions for the success of our next holy mission."
Max burst into laughter, "Thirty-six directions? Seriously? Who even recruited a monk into a space crew? What are we supposed to do, chant our enemies to death?"
The monk's expression remained serene, untouched by mockery.
He replied gently,
"Amitabha, may the holy one enlighten your ignorant and restless soul."
Max's grin stiffened.
Then, his face turned red.
"Y-you—!"
The room broke into quiet laughter, even a few of the previously bored members showing faint amusement.
And now, at last, everyone's eyes turned to the last member of the crew.
Neo's eyes followed theirs.
As soon as his eyes landed on that person's face, a bolt of electricity ran through his entire body.
She was simply too beautiful.
Pale white porcelain skin, long white hair that cascaded like moonlight, ghostly silver eyes that entranced anyone who looked at them, and a figure crafted by the Goddess of Love herself.
She looked almost his age, but held a solid temperament, as if she were the reincarnation of some ancient being.
Wearing that white and blue neon suit, just like his, she looked almost divine.
Neo wasn't particularly a person who got attracted to females so easily, but this time it genuinely struck his heart.
For a while, he couldn't think straight.
"Moon, do you have some time?" Ajax asked, but it held no forcefulness. Rather, it sounded careful and considerate.
'So her name is Moon. Sounds beautiful,' Neo muttered internally.
When Moon's ghostly eyes bore into his, he felt nervous for some reason. It eerily resembled a teenager who had just asked her out and was waiting for her answer.
His palms were sweating, so he hid them behind his back.
Moon looked at him with a piercing gaze, as if trying to see through layers of reality to find his true self.
Everyone waited for her answer, although most of them already thought it would be no, as she had never shown any particular interest in being a partner with anyone ever since she transferred here 3 months ago.
However, when she spoke, everyone was stunned.
"I do."
It was just two words, but they expressed her intent clearly.
Neo exhaled in relief, as if an invisible burden had been lifted off his chest.
The others, though, were still trying to comprehend why she agreed to take on this burden when she could have refused it easily.
"Are you sure, Moon?" Captain Ajaz asked.
"Yes, Moon. Did you think it over carefully? I mean, you don't have to do this if you don't want to," Angelica also inquired.
Apparently, they were close enough to ask about each other's whereabouts.
"Yeah, don't bother with this deadbeat rookie. You must have other jobs," added Flameboy, snickering.
Despite all that, Moon's expression didn't change.
She was clearly adamant about becoming Neo's partner.
Captain Ajaz and Vice Captain Deus shared a nod of agreement.
"Very well then. From today, Neo and Moon will be partners. And with this, our Hydra crew will finally have all of its 9 heads."
"Congratulations, everyone!" Agnes clapped lightly, showing a faint smile.
The monk clasped his hands in prayer.
"Amitabha, may the great one bestow their immeasurable blessings upon our journey on this path."
"Hey, hey, you think just praying and clapping will be enough?" Max interrupted, grinning. "Captains, why don't we all go to a bar to celebrate?"
Angelica scoffed, "You want to go to a bar at this hour? Look outside, stupid. It's afternoon."
"So what if it's afternoon, my love." Max added. "We're going to celebrate, not looking fo hookers. You know how loyal am I to you."
Angelica snorted, clearly unconvinced.
Flameboy laughed wildly, "Haha. Then it's final. We're going to drink some booze and fire up the floor."
Mr. Deus, as usual, let out a disappointed sigh.
"What a bunch of useless slackers."
Ajax placed a hand on his shoulder.
"Let's give them a day off, Mr. Deus. They have been working hard for the past few weeks."
"Fine," Deus grumbled, but agreed. "But only one day."
In the next minute, Captain Ajax took all of them to the parking area, where three neatly polished, glossy aero cars were waiting for them.
Max's grin widened as he noticed a particular black car that looked like a jaguar.
He immediately hopped onto the shotgun seat.
"Whoa—Captain! Don't tell me this beauty is yours?"
Captain Ajax calmly clicked a few controls on his wristband, then said,
"Yes. But the front seat is not for you, boy. Go to the back seat, now."
Max's face fell. But as his eyes darted between Ajax and Lady Agnes, he understood something.
He let out a naughty smile. "Way to go, Captain."
"Shut up!"
"Angelica, you will sit with me then."
"Wai—hey! Don't just decide that—!"
Before Angelica could finish, he pulled her to the back seat.
Monk and Flameboy got into Mr. Deus' car.
Captain Ajax looked at Neo and Moon, then at the last car, which was white in color.
"Moon, you know how to drive, right?"
Moon nodded expressionlessly, her hands behind her back. "Yes, Captain."
"Then, you carry your partner to the usual location. You can do that, right?"
"I have a Grade S driving license, Captain," she answered coolly.
Captain Ajax smiled. "Ah, I almost forgot that you're a spaceship pilot like us as well. What would this small aero car mean to you? Anyway, follow us closely."
Neo just nodded from time to time. He didn't have any particular interest on going to bars. He thought these kind of activities as a waste of time.
But since it was their Crew's first gathering, he decided to be respectful.
Beside, he was with her. There was no way this ride would be boring.