After the celebrations died down, Jack sat down with Gwen to discuss his new idea—the creation of the Plumbers organization. He laid out his goals and plans, explaining what he wanted the organization to become.
"Here?" Gwen asked, giving him a curious look.
"Yeah. I think starting small, with a team based here, makes the most sense."
"I'm completely on board. I already know you wouldn't do anything reckless, and since we already know future-you ends up building this exact organization anyway, none of this really surprises me. Honestly, I'm just surprised you're ready to start it this early."
"It's not me," Jack corrected her. "It's we."
He went to talk it over with Kalen next, laying out the same idea and explaining what he wanted the organization to accomplish.
"Jack, I really didn't expect you to have this kind of noble streak in you," Kalen said, genuinely surprised.
You don't need to look that shocked, Jack thought to himself. Honestly, even I doubt I'd build something purely to help others with zero self-interest if the Heroic Points weren't part of the deal.
"So, are you in? You've got nothing to lose by joining early. Down the line, there'll be all kinds of aliens involved, and having us as official allies from the start can only benefit you," Jack said, laying out the advantages.
Kalen smiled.
"Jack, I understand. I'm in. I trust you."
"You won't regret this, man. I promise."
The two shook hands, sealing the beginning of the organization that would one day become known across the galaxy.
Not long after, with the backing of the government, Jack publicly revealed his identity as an Earthling and laid out his organization's mission to the people. The idea quickly struck a chord with plenty of ambitious young Zehoberei. Adventurers, scientists, engineers, and professionals from all kinds of fields showed interest, whether they genuinely wanted to help others or simply wanted to chase something bigger than themselves.
With Gwen and the others helping with recruitment, Jack eventually assembled a team of a hundred people willing to leave the planet with him. Lisa was among those who wanted to join them and see the wider galaxy for herself. After everything they'd been through, the idea of traveling through space with Jack and the others was something she genuinely looked forward to.
But in the end, she decided to stay behind.
Kalen was still new to his position, and Lisa knew he needed someone he could trust beside him. More importantly, Lisa had always had feelings for Kalen, even if she had never said them aloud.
Jack understood her decision and readily agreed. He trusted Lisa, and after everything they'd been through together, he knew her character well enough to know she genuinely cared about Kalen and the people of Zen-Whoberi. So he left the first Plumber branch completely in her hands, confident that she would keep the organization on the right path.
At this point, the Plumbers didn't have many advantages or resources. For now, their job was little more than acting as a specialized police force, dealing with criminals and protecting people where the local authorities couldn't.
But Jack knew that was only the beginning.
The Plumbers might not be much right now, but I'll change that soon. Give me enough time, and this organization will become something far bigger.
"Jack, you owe me big time. I've been helping you nonstop for two days straight without any rest!" Gwen complained.
"As co-leader of the Plumbers, helping the leader is literally your job," Jack teased.
Gwen rolled her eyes.
"Yeah, yeah. Keep telling yourself that."
Jack turned toward Kalen.
"Kalen, I don't know when we'll cross paths again, but I hope that by then I'll be hearing stories about you as one of the greatest kings this planet has ever had."
"You two take care of yourselves too," Kalen said with a smile.
He and Lisa stood together, watching as the spaceship slowly lifted off the ground and disappeared into the sky.
"I wish you nothing but success on your journey, my friend," Kalen said quietly, his eyes remaining fixed on the sky long after the ship had vanished.
Meanwhile, aboard the spaceship, now well clear of Zen-Whoberi with his newly formed Plumber crew, Jack pulled up his system with a flicker of excitement.
Between the Heroic Points he'd earned from helping people across the planet over the past few days, he'd finally accumulated enough to unlock a new alien.
[STATUS]
Host: Jack Walker (Reincarnator)
Age: 18
Race: Human
Artifact: Omnitrix (Soul Bound)
Aliens Unlocked:
Walkatrout → Ickthyperambuloid
XLR8 → Kineceleran
Four Arms → Tetramand
Diamondhead → Petrosapien
Grey Matter → Galvan
Wildmutt → Vulpimancer
Spidermonkey → Arachnichimp
Upgrade → Galvanic Mechamorph
Big Chill → Necrofriggian
Skrulls
Rath → Appoplexian
Zehoberei
Current Heroic Points: 3220
Next Alien Unlock: 3200
[Host, do you wish to unlock the next alien?]
[Yes] [No]
Let's see how my luck holds up today.
A little nervous, Jack tapped Yes.
[Congratulations, Host. Alien unlocked: Gourmand.]
"Gourmand? What kind of alien is that?" Jack asked, pulling up the details with curiosity.
Species: Gourmand
Home Planet: Peptos XI / Peptos XII
Classification: Matter-Consuming Lifeform
Abilities:
Matter Consumption: Capable of swallowing and digesting an extremely wide range of materials, including substances that would be indigestible or toxic to most lifeforms.
Matter Conversion: The Gourmand's unique digestive system breaks down consumed matter and converts it into usable energy.
Energy Storage: Processed energy can be accumulated within the body instead of being immediately expended.
Explosive Energy Projection: Stored energy can be expelled through the mouth as powerful explosive blasts.
Enhanced Digestion: The body is naturally adapted to process materials that would be dangerous or impossible for ordinary organisms to consume.
Weaknesses:
Requires matter to consume in order to replenish its energy reserves.
Combat effectiveness drops significantly when little usable material is available.
Its relatively small size and physical build limit its effectiveness in direct physical combat.
Oh, this is Upchuck, isn't it? Jack thought, satisfied. Not the flashiest pick, but it'll definitely come in handy.
Just as he was about to close the system
Ding.
Huh? Another notification? Curious, Jack pulled it up.
[Host has established a Plumber organization dedicated to protecting the weak, aligning with the system's core directive.]
[Reward: Gift Package.]
A Gift Package? Jack's eyes widened slightly.
Like the one I got after saving Gwen and changing her fate—the one that gave me two alien heroes?
A/N: The Patreon version is already updated with 20 advanced chapters. If you'd like to read ahead of the public release schedule, you can join here:
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