Jack pulled up the gift package details.
[Gift Bonus Package]
[A special package containing rewards from the Ben 10 Universe.]
[Reward Distribution:]
[Aliens: 80%]
[Items: 19%]
[Unknown: 1%]
[The contents cannot be determined until the package is opened.]
This is it. Same as the last gift package.
Jack was ready to open it right there, but a flicker of doubt about his luck made him hesitate. Just then, he spotted Gwen walking toward him.
"What are you doing just standing there spacing out? Everyone's waiting for you in the control room," Gwen said.
Jack glanced back at the package before closing the system.
I guess it can wait.
"It's nothing. Let's go."
The two of them headed into the control room, where Jack took the main seat at the head of the round table, with Gwen sitting beside him. Five people were already waiting for them.
Jack glanced around the table.
These five weren't chosen randomly. Out of the hundred recruits, he'd picked them as the first people to help him manage the organization. Each had experience in a different field that could be useful to the Plumbers.
One specialized in science and research, another had experience with logistics and supplies, one was skilled with weapons and would help organize the combat teams, while another had experience with communications and navigation.
The only woman among them was the eldest princess of Zen-Whoberi.
Jack hadn't expected her to join.
If Kalen hadn't become king, she would have been the one taking the throne. Yet she'd chosen to leave her home and travel with them instead.
I still have no idea why she decided to come with us.
Jack hadn't asked. Whatever her reason was, it wasn't his business. As long as they shared the same goal and were willing to follow the principles of the Plumbers, he was happy to have her with them.
Jack looked around the table with a small smile.
"Alright, first things first. I know most of you probably have questions, so don't hesitate to ask. We're all figuring this out together."
The five exchanged glances before settling in.
"We're starting from almost nothing. We don't have a proper headquarters, we don't have much equipment, and honestly, I'm still figuring out how to run an organization myself."
Jack chuckled.
"So don't expect me to have all the answers. If any of you have a better idea than mine, tell me. That's exactly why I wanted people from different backgrounds on this team."
He tapped the table, bringing up a holographic display.
"Our first goal is simple: we need somewhere to call home."
The display expanded, showing their current position and the route ahead.
"Our first stop is Xandar. It's the closest major civilization we know about, and from everything we've learned so far, it's also one of the safer and more advanced places we can reach."
Jack pointed toward the planet.
"We'll need to learn as much as we can about the galaxy, find potential allies, look for a place we can use as a base, and stock up on supplies."
He looked toward the science specialist.
"I'd like you to focus on gathering information about Xandar's technology, science, medicine, and anything else you think could be useful. Don't worry about getting everything perfect. Just start building a knowledge base for us."
The scientist nodded.
Jack then turned toward the logistics specialist.
"For you, I'd like you to keep track of our supplies, equipment, and whatever resources we pick up along the way. Once we reach Xandar, we'll probably have a lot more to deal with, so it'll be good to have someone keeping everything organized."
"Got it," the logistics specialist replied.
Jack looked toward the combat specialist.
"And I'd like you to start organizing the people with combat experience. Nothing too complicated for now. Just figure out who's good at what and put together some basic teams and training routines."
The combat specialist nodded.
"Sounds good."
Jack turned toward the communications and navigation specialist.
"You can work with Redqueen on the ship's communication and navigation systems. She'll handle the ship itself, but if there's anything you think we should improve or organize differently, let me know."
A calm voice came through the speakers.
"I am always available to assist."
Jack glanced upward.
"See? You already have a better coworker than me."
A few of them laughed.
Finally, Jack looked toward the eldest princess.
"And I'd like you to help coordinate everyone. You've got experience dealing with people and government, so I think you'll be useful when we start dealing with different departments and eventually other governments."
She gave him a thoughtful look before nodding.
"I'll do my best."
"That's all I'm asking."
Jack leaned back in his chair.
"None of these positions are set in stone, either. We're just getting started. As the organization grows, people will find what they're best at, and we can change things around if we need to."
He looked around the table again.
"Most importantly, don't feel like you have to wait for me to solve everything. If you see a problem, bring it up. If you have an idea, share it. We're building this together."
The room became quiet for a moment.
Then the science specialist smiled.
"I think that's going to be easier than expected."
"Hopefully," Jack replied with a grin. "Because I have absolutely no intention of pretending I know what I'm doing."
That earned a few laughs around the table.
Jack tapped the holographic display again.
"Anyway, we've got fourteen days before we reach Xandar. That's plenty of time to get familiar with the ship, your responsibilities, and each other. Once we arrive, we'll have a lot more work waiting for us."
He stood from his seat.
"That's it for today. If anything comes up, Redqueen can help with anything related to the ship. Otherwise, Gwen or I are around."
The others began getting up from their seats.
"Good luck, everyone."
One by one, they left the room, already talking among themselves about what they needed to start working on.
Jack watched them disappear through the doors.
Well... I guess this is what building an organization looks like.
Soon, only Gwen remained.
She waited until the doors closed before turning toward him.
"So, when do we actually go to Earth?"
Jack leaned back in his chair.
"Once we've found a base and settled in, that's the plan."
He brought up the limited star map currently available on the ship. It covered only the regions the Zehoberei had traveled through, leaving most of the galaxy nothing more than a blank field.
"Right now, we don't even have a proper map of the galaxy. This ship only has information on the regions those pirates had explored, and Earth isn't mentioned anywhere in its database."
Gwen frowned.
"So we're basically hoping someone on Xandar knows where Earth is?"
"Not exactly."
Jack zoomed out, studying the scattered points of light on the map.
"Once we reach Xandar, we'll buy the most detailed star charts they have. Even if Earth isn't listed on them, that doesn't mean we won't be able to find it."
Gwen tilted her head.
"How?"
"Redqueen."
Jack tapped the side of his head.
"She can compare the star positions and patterns from those charts with what we already know about Earth's surrounding space. The names might be completely different, but stars don't exactly care what different civilizations call them."
Gwen's eyes widened slightly as she caught on.
"So you can match the stars themselves."
"Exactly. If we can identify enough stars around Earth's region, Redqueen should be able to narrow down the location by matching their relative positions and distances."
Jack shrugged.
"It might take some work, but it's a hell of a lot easier than searching the entire galaxy blindly."
Gwen nodded slowly.
"So Xandar first, Earth second."
"Yep. One step at a time."
Gwen stood up and headed toward the door, but Jack's voice stopped her.
"Wish me luck."
Gwen stared at him for a second, clearly confused.
"Luck? For what?"
"You'll see."
She narrowed her eyes.
"You're being weird again."
"That's nothing new."
Gwen sighed, but a small smile appeared on her face.
"Fine. Good luck, Jack."
"Thanks."
She shook her head and walked out.
The moment the doors closed behind her, Jack looked back at the system.
Alright, goddess of luck, bless me with a kiss.
Half-jokingly, Jack opened the gift package.
[Opening Package...]
[Unknown Reward detected.]
[Reward: Plumber Foundation Knowledge]
[The Host has obtained the knowledge required to establish, operate, and develop a Plumber organization.]
[Knowledge Contents:]
1. Plumber Organization
Knowledge of organizational structure, ranks, departments, recruitment, training, administration, and management.
2. Plumber Equipment
Knowledge of Plumber equipment ranging from basic to advanced levels, including communicators, scanners, restraints, protective equipment, medical equipment, energy weapons, vehicles, and spacecraft.
3. Plumber Headquarters
Knowledge required to design and construct Plumber bases, including power systems, communication networks, security systems, laboratories, medical facilities, training areas, storage, transportation, and containment facilities.
4. Alien Operations
Knowledge of extraterrestrial species identification, threat assessment, investigation, rescue, containment, first contact, and basic diplomatic procedures.
5. Plumber Protocols & Law
Knowledge of operational procedures, emergency protocols, prisoner handling, alien-related incidents, interplanetary jurisdiction, and the rules governing Plumber operations.
Oh my god, I actually pulled the 1% unknown reward.
Jack stared at the description in disbelief.
And it's the entire foundational knowledge base for running a Plumber organization. Someone could practically build one from scratch with this alone.
Jack paused.
Wait a second.
I create the Plumbers, and the system rewards me with a gift package. Then that gift package just happens to give me the exact knowledge I need to build a Plumber organization, with only a 1% chance of getting it.
Once? Sure, maybe that's a coincidence.
Twice?
That's definitely not a coincidence.
"Hey, system. That's you, isn't it? You rigged this," Jack accused.
As always, the system responded with complete silence.
"Whatever. I'm not complaining."
Jack looked back at the reward.
I was already dreading having to figure out all the management and organizational stuff on my own. This makes things a hell of a lot easier.
"System, transfer all the knowledge to me."
[Knowledge Transfer Initiated...]
The moment the transfer began, an enormous amount of information flooded into Jack's mind.
His head immediately felt like it was splitting apart.
"Argh!"
Jack grabbed his head as sweat formed across his forehead. His vision blurred, and veins bulged along his temples as the sheer volume of information threatened to overwhelm his mind.
"This is bad..."
He gritted his teeth and quickly activated the Omnitrix.
Katcha.
Green light flashed around him, and Jack transformed into Grey Matter.
Almost immediately, the difference was obvious.
His enhanced Galvan brain began sorting through the incoming information, organizing it into categories and connecting everything together. The unbearable pressure in his head rapidly faded.
[Knowledge Transfer Complete.]
Jack let out a long breath.
"Seriously, system, a heads-up that this would hurt like hell would've been nice."
He rubbed his head, still feeling the lingering ache.
"If I hadn't switched to Grey Matter in time, that probably would've knocked me out cold."
Jack began sorting through the knowledge now sitting inside his mind.
Huh... not bad at all.
This is way more complete than I expected. It's basically a full foundation for everything involved in running a Plumber organization.
There's organizational management, recruitment, training, equipment, headquarters, alien operations, laws... even advanced technology.
There are also quite a few theories in here that haven't been properly verified yet. Some of them could actually be useful once I have the resources to test them.
Still in his Grey Matter form, Jack spent the rest of his transformation window going through everything he'd received, familiarizing himself with the information rather than simply letting it sit unused in his head.
To actually build everything described here, I'm going to need a lot more resources.
I should probably copy the safer, non-sensitive information over to the rest of the team so they can start learning it too.
Jack's eyes narrowed slightly as another thought crossed his mind.
And once we reach Xandar, I should start gathering knowledge from other civilizations as well.
Even with all this Plumber knowledge crammed into my head, there are still plenty of gaps. If I want this organization to become something truly capable of protecting people across the galaxy, I can't just rely on what the system gave me.
I'll have to fill those gaps with whatever knowledge I can find out there.
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: