Lord of the Time: I Can Reincarnate Infinitely

Caleb rolled his eyes, "Great, stuck on a tin can with Captain Smug and his merry band of pricks. This is going to be a long fucking trip."

Sarah, usually quiet, spoke up, her voice tinged with frustration, "So we just play nice while they look down on us? That doesn't sit right with me."

Ethan, clenching his fists, said, "Playing nice in the spaceship is one thing, but if it comes down to a fight in the games, I'm not holding back."

Alex, who had been quietly assessing the Ufotans, finally spoke, his tone confident and challenging. "Let them have their moment. If this comes to a battle, I'll beat the crap out of them, advanced civilization or not. They're not invincible."

The team members exchanged looks, a silent agreement passing between them. While they would have to tolerate the Ufotans' arrogance during the journey, they were united in their resolve to prove themselves in the Universe Ascendancy Games.

Caleb, smirking at Alex's declaration, patted him on the back. "That's the spirit. Let's show these futuristic snobs what Earthlings are made of. We'll endure their bullshit for now, but when the games start, all bets are off."

Inside the spaceship, the Earth Team was taken aback by the sheer scale and sophistication of the facilities. The training facility was vast, equipped with state-of-the-art equipment that simulated various gravitational conditions and combat scenarios. "Holy hell, you could fit our entire training compound in here," Leo exclaimed, inspecting a machine that mimicked the gravitational pull of different planets.

The medical bay was like something out of a science fiction novel, with automated surgical arms, regeneration pods, and diagnostic scanners that operated with minimal human intervention. "This tech could put Earth's best hospitals to shame," Mia observed, her eyes wide with a mix of admiration and envy.

Next was the research and development sector, filled with labs that had transparent walls, showing Ufotans and humans working side by side on various experiments and tech developments. "They're not just advanced in space travel," noted Sarah, "their R&D is leagues ahead of us."

The sports facilities included zero-gravity arenas, intergalactic sports simulators, and training areas for physical conditioning in different atmospheric conditions. "Guess they take their downtime seriously," Ethan commented, watching a holographic game resembling three-dimensional chess.

The food hall was expansive, offering dishes from countless planets, including Earth. The variety was astounding, from standard meals to those tailored for beings with specific dietary requirements. "At least we won't starve, or die of boredom eating the same crap," Caleb muttered, eyeing a dish that seemed to move of its own accord.

As they continued the tour, a Ufotan official outlined the code of conduct aboard the spaceship. "Respect for all species and cultures aboard is mandatory. Any form of violence or discrimination is strictly prohibited and will result in immediate disciplinary action," he explained, his tone serious.

"Facility resources are to be shared equitably. Hoarding or wastefulness, especially in the food and medical sectors, is forbidden. Compliance with the spaceship's daily schedule for training, research, and recreation is expected from everyone." Find your next read at My Virtual Library Empire

Alex, stepping forward as the representative, listened intently, nodding along. "We understand the importance of these rules," he assured the official. "We'll abide by them."

Caleb, hanging back, let Alex take the lead.

As the tour concluded and the group dispersed, Alex sidled up to Caleb, his expression weary. "Hey, Caleb, can we talk?" he muttered, casting a glance around to ensure privacy. "I don't think I can keep up this representative crap. It's fucking exhausting."

He sighed, running a hand through his hair. "I have to be diplomatic, watch every word, and make nice with these Ufotan snobs. Plus, keeping our team in line, dealing with the officials... it's a lot."

Caleb smirked, leaning against the wall, enjoying the moment. "So, the golden boy wants out, huh? Alright, listen up. First, don't try to please everyone; it's a waste of fucking time. You'll burn out faster than a shooting star."

"Second," he continued, ticking off on his fingers, "focus on what matters. You're here to help us navigate this shitshow, not win a popularity contest. Do what's needed, then step back."

"Third, use your strengths. You're good at strategy and observation, right? Apply that here. Read the room, know when to push, and when to back off."

"And fourth," Caleb concluded, his grin widening, "remember that none of this will matter in the long run. We're here for the games, not to make lifelong buddies with the Ufotans. Do the job, keep your sanity."

Alex listened, nodding slowly as Caleb's words sank in. "Makes sense," he admitted, though the weight of the role still pressed on him.

Caleb clapped Alex on the shoulder, a mischievous twinkle in his eye. "You'll be fine. And if it gets too much, just pass the buck. I'm sure Mia or Leo wouldn't mind the spotlight."

Watching Alex's conflicted expression, Caleb couldn't help but revel in the schadenfreude. "You'll figure it out, Alex. Or you'll crash and burn. Either way, I'll enjoy the show."

Alex shot him a wry look, a half-smile forming as he processed Caleb's blend of cynical advice and encouragement. "Thanks, I guess. I'll try to keep the flameout to a minimum."

"Zoey wanted us to try out all the facilities," Leo reminded the group, his voice tinged with a mix of sadness and resolve. "She thought it would be good for team bonding and to get a feel for what this ship has to offer."

Caleb, rubbing his chin thoughtfully, finally nodded. "Alright, we'll do it, but on three conditions," he declared, holding up a finger to enumerate his points. "First, we prioritize the training and medical facilities. If we're gonna kick ass in the games, we need to be at our peak, physically and mentally."

Raising a second finger, he continued, "Second, we stick together. No wandering off solo to play space explorer. We're a team, and we stay that way."

Holding up a third finger, Caleb finished, "And lastly, we keep our eyes and ears open. Learn as much as we can about this tin can and the tech it's packing. Knowledge is power, and we're gonna need all the power we can get."

As they mulled over Caleb's conditions, an official from Earth approached, his expression serious. "Team, the spaceship is scheduled to depart in two hours. You need to be prepared for the G-forces during takeoff. It's going to be intense, far beyond what you've experienced on Earth-bound flights."

The team's focus shifted to the impending departure. "The ship's G-force dampeners will mitigate some of the strain," the official explained, "but you'll still feel the pressure. We recommend using the medical bay's pre-flight conditioning program to acclimate your bodies to the stress."

Caleb, processing the information, turned to his team. "Alright, let's get our shit together. Try out what we can, then prep for launch. We're heading into space, and it's not going to be a pleasure cruise."@@novelbin@@