"This is part of the list fulfilled so far," the Durgian concierge held the slim tablet out for me to inspect in the suite, distracting me from staring too long at the specialised medium cargo transporter cargo container in the living room of my suite.
I nearly choked at the overtly modest claim of 'part'. The Durgian concierge service almost fulfilled the list with such quick efficiency. What would take me a long time took them two rotations of the planet to fulfil.
Mahara left a message for me to settle everything before night fall. Now was late mid day after my nap when I returned from the garden in the morning.
"About the Velesian Sonic Shopper? How will you actually bring the sonic washing unit up here?" I asked out of curiosity, noticing the cargo container looked almost full.
The Velesian Sonic Shopper was the best sonic washing unit shop in Eden. Every spacefaring species knew the Velesians' fame for producing the best hygiene technology in the galactic quadrant.
A few hundred cycles ago, all ships fitted with a washroom or a full bathroom unit, which required water usage. Back then, water-based sewage on ships proved problematic to dispose of.
While easy to dump one's shit out of the ship into space, a few shitty accidents happened. Nothing like a piece of frozen crap clogging up the thrusters or engine exhaust vents.
Worse if it got into the ventilation vents - the entire ship would stink like shit for a long time.
Most ships, in those good old days, stored sewage in space consuming tanks and dispose of it at the next available station.
Everything about toileting changed when the Velesians discovered ultrasonic cleaning technology, which minimised the use of water by using sonic waves to create cleansing bubbles from a rotating spray, and the steriliser system which zapped the excrements clean. Hence, sewage storage reduced from tanks to a small bench compartment.
Ahhh cleanliness.
"Ah, they will deliver to your ship in another container, similar to this size," the female Durgian concierge replied as she patted the top of the medium-sized metal unit. "Don't worry, we relayed the measurements which you gave to them."
The three staff members took time to arrange and tag each electronic component and circuitry carefully in the order of the list on the meeting table for inspection. They left the open packaging in the other room for repacking.
Had it been the droid swarm, Arabaki will mess up the entire suite by strewn packaging and components laying all over the floor.
I took it from her to review and check off the information displayed on the tablet against the items on the table. My eyes poured through every detail in the account sheets and inventory specifications against the displayed items on the table.
One sweep by my optical implant showed no abnormalities in most of the items bought, but I needed to act like I was busy examining part by part.
"Shall we log and secure the checked items in the transporter container?" She asked.
"Yeah, send…" I stopped and thought of the odd incidents on Eden.
Should I be tied up here for any reason, Arabaki won't be able to get the essential parts to fix my war cruiser.
"Yes?"
"Tell Mahara that I want all of these goods sent to my Narakan address via secured Durgian freight. She knows it," I replied.
Better for Arabaki to get it from neutral ground rather than to leave him to his devices if my trip back got delayed. The droid swarm could easily commandeer a small passing ship with ease.
***
Only thing missing on the list was the Velesian sonic washing unit. The staff made a special appointment for me to view the products remotely via virtual reality from the comfort of the suite.
On the table, laid a small virtual reality gadget in the form of a headband, which was activated with touch.
"Welcome to Virtual Reality Velesian Sonic Shopper," a voice spoke from the headband in a monotone. "To start your shopping experience, please wear the headband."
Ack, virtual reality made me feel like I was part of the system. No thanks to my optical implants in the eyes.
Suck it up, I told myself. Can't blow my cover in Eden.
With a deep breath, I wore the headband and sat down while the device connected to the remote site to start up the virtual environment.
I found myself standing outside automatic doors which slid open to me, revealing the sonic washing emporium of cleanliness.
[Warning: Not a real environment]
[Warning: Optical nerve readapting]
[Warning: Not a real environment]
[Warning: Neural link adjusting to Virtual]
[Warning: Not a real environment]
[Warning: Scanning Virtual Reality]
The non-stop warnings continued scrolling in my vision while my optical implants continued re-adjusting to the virtual environment, creating an intermittent sharp migraine that radiated from the back of my eyes to the back of my head.
I walked through the virtual entrance and closed my eyes for a second for the final warnings to parse through.
[Warning: Virtual Reality readjustment made]
That's what I was waiting for when I slowly opened my eyes to a blurry image which soon sharpened to a clear view of a large exhibition hall filled with sparkly new sonic washers — some updated versions of existing products, some never seen before.
My remaining aurum is not safe in my hands now.
Holographic images of sales representatives popped up, demonstrating each model as I walked past, soaking in the epitome of ultimate hygienic toileting for every part of the body.
Nothing like staring at the newfangled bum washers which scrub the bottom clean with a refreshing spritz of modulated sonic waves at the right areas, leaving no residue.
Some models used water for the older models of spaceships with a special bum dryer.
"Remember, cleanliness is space worthiness!" A Perunian sales representative in a smart white suit walked up to me with a wide smile. "How may I help?"
Damn. Why do I keep running into the Perunians? I sighed.
Most Perunian civilians employed off-world, usually took up service industry jobs because of their appealing golden looks to most Haolean.
I don't understand the Haolean fascination with their damn blonde hair.
Then again, most species had an odd fetish for another.
Dark hair, like mine, fascinated the Perunians, perhaps because none of them possessed dark coloured hair.
I noticed how Zhiva kept eyeing my black hair when I spoke to him in the garden. Even his accompanying Durgian ladies had black hair instead of the usual reddish brown hair.
"Busy day? You look tired." The salesman noticed.
Tired of meeting Perunians, I guess.
"Oh yeah," I mumbled, ignoring his comment. "Where is your galactic standard sized sonic washers for a mid sized merchant transport class ship?"
My war cruiser was probably comparable to a mid-sized merchant transport class ship, if not slightly bigger.
"Ah, any special functions you are looking for?" He asked.
That's the Perunian way of hinting for my budget without directly asking for a budget.
"Show me all available options," I replied to his even bigger grin now as his eyes moved behind me.
"Very well, follow me," the sales representative showed me the way with his hand into the wonderful world of spacefaring hygiene.