《Benji and The World Spike》Chapter 14
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The house that Zoe lived in made Benji's modest home look like a slum in comparison. Voyager came to a stop above the gated residential community and slowly descended to the lush green yard that was hidden away between the high stone walls surrounding the property. Lu Bu kicked the nearest rope ladder over the side and climbed down to the grass. After a few tense moments he signaled back up to Benji that there were no threats in sight. Zoe took a deep breath before disappearing over the edge of the deck. Benji waited a few seconds before following.
As they approached the front door, Zoe ran ahead, scanned her fingerprint on a control pad to the right of the door and entered the house. An electronic voice sounded throughout house welcoming her home. Benji ordered Lu Bu to wait at the door for them. The man nodded and turned to look back out towards the airship.
"Turn on all lights." At her command bright lights illuminated the home. The interior was as immaculate as the outer grounds.
“Fancy stuff.” She turned to Benji, an embarrassed look on her face.
“My father works hard for what we have." She turned away as she spoke. "We should hurry. My room is on the second floor."
She led Benji through the house and up a grand staircase that made up the core of the house. The second floor contained her bedroom and bathroom, a study area, a home gym, and a sauna. She led Benji into her bedroom and pointed to a row of dressers along one wall. “Um, just take the entire dresser if you can. No need to open them.”
Benji nodded, causing them disappeared into his backpack. Zoe walked over to her closet door and stepped into her walk-in closet. Benji stepped into the closet safely depositing the contents of the shelving units and racks.
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“Would you like to take your bed as well?” he asked once they left the closet.
“I don’t know if there will be enough room for it at your family’s property but let’s take it just in case.”
After storing her bed they moved to the bathroom and made short work of Zoe’s makeup and toiletries. She placed a laptop from the study into her own bag before walking out of the room.
"Is this everything you need, Zoe?"
She nodded and together they left. Zoe reset the alarm and closed the house back up. They crossed the property and climbed back up to Voyager. As Benji watched Lu Bu climb up the ladder he realized he needed to find another way for people to board the airship. The ladders were too slow and left them far too exposed.
Once everyone was onboard Benji took them to their next destination, a military surplus store in the eastern part of the city. Most weapons were illegal to own but there was still a large market for survival gear and assorted types of personal protection. Once they reached the store, Voyager descended down in front of the red brick building. The store itself was closed but a single man stood waiting at the front door. Lu Bu followed Benji and his mother down to the ground but Isabel ordered the large man to stay back before walking forward and hugging the strange man that was waiting for them.
"It's so good to see you again, James." Isabel broke the hug and turned to face her son. "Benji, you probably don't remember but this man was a friend of your father. He's agreed to help us with the supplies we'll need."
"It's the least I could do for you and your son. Just tell that man with the spear to relax a little."
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Benji looked back at Lu Bu who stood staring at James. "Sorry about that, sir. He's a bit protective."
James laughed. "No worries. It makes me feel better knowing that a beast like him will be going with you."
James turned and unlocked the front door and motioned for them to follow. Shelves and stands held all sorts of gadgets and gear, a doomsday preppers wet dream. James turned to them once they were reached the center of the store.
"Like I said over the phone you can take whatever you need Isabel."
"Are you sure I can't pay you, James? I don't want to put you out of business." She reached into her bag and took out her bank card.
"That stupid piece of metal out there in the middle of the ocean put me out of business. Haven't had a customer all day." The man shook his head as he spoke. "Nobody needs pepper spray now that they have super powers. Besides, this was just something to keep me busy."
Isabel and James made small talk while Benji went around the store absorbing everything in sight. There was a lot of junk mixed in but the freeze dried food in particular would be helpful once they ran out of fresh food. After checking for any stock in the back room he rejoined his mother.
"Well you weren't kidding, Isabel. That's one hell of a useful bag you have there, Benji."
"Um, thanks. And thanks for the supplies. We'll put them to good use."
"You're welcome." James sighed. "You all should get going. You've got a lot of work to do if you want to be ready by the 7:30 deadline."
Isabel hugged the man one last time before leaving through the front door. Once back aboard Voyager Benji set course to a location eighty kilometers north of Raven City. As they flew over the city Benji looked over the railing to the city below. Military and police personnel were out in force erecting barriers at strategic locations across the city. Benji silently wished them luck but he could only focus on those close to him. The concrete soon gave way to dense forest once they passed outside of Raven City limits. Benji walked over to the control console and got to work scanning the surrounding area for threats as the traveled.
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