Page 24 of Thalen

“Replicated food is created so that it is at peak freshness. So if you replicate an entire dish, it will be as if the ingredients were brought in straight from the field or butcher’s before the dish was prepared, and if you have it only create ingredients that are at peak freshness for you to use.”

I stared at the replicator next to our table.

“And I thought those things couldn’t get any more incredible,” I murmured, filling my spoon up once more.

“I have something I need to tell you,” Thalen said, changing the subject suddenly.

Whatever it was had him looking uneasy.

“Has something happened to one of the cats?” I asked, glancing at the two snoring lumps in the middle of the floor.

“No, nothing like that. It’s about our bed.”

“You wish we’d kept yours? I thought we’d agreed it wasn’t wide enough.”

“It’s not. It was made for a single Dragonii. But your bed isn’t quite wide enough either and is too short. I realized once I saw you upon it.”

“Well, sh–shoot,” I quickly caught myself, remembering Jason. “So, what do we do?”

“I took the liberty of looking through the catalogue and ordering us a bed and mattress that looks similar but is the correct size.”

“Works for me, but how long until it gets here?”

“Tomorrow afternoon. I will sleep in one of the other bedrooms in my old bed tonight.”

It was a neat, practical solution, but I didn't like it. After my bath time surprise, I’d looked forward to a bit more hanky panky, maybe even a full claiming, which we had to do within a week according to the treaty.

I sighed. “I suppose it can’t be helped.” Then a thought occurred to me. “Did you also order sheets to fit it?”

He shook his head. “I thought I’d let you look through the catalogue and choose those and the coverlet. Our home replicator can make those one set at a time.”

“Ah, okay.” That did sound convenient. “Um, where do I find this catalogue?"

“You’ll have to go onto Bob Net and visit the permanently bookmarked tab that says ‘Home Replication Goods’. The other tab says it’s for the general store, so you will be able to tell them apart easily.” Jason giggled. “Bob Net? The whole internet here is named after Bob?”

“Bob IS the internet here,” Thalen replied, “if I am understanding you correctly.”

Jason and I both stared at him. “That’s just...wow,” I said. “But then, when we were on the Mylos ship, Xeranos was doing it all, so yeah, that makes sense. I just hadn’t connected the dots.”

“Still sounds funny! Bob Net!”

“Someone call my name?” came a voice similar to Xeranos’s, but mellower.

“We were just talking about how to find the replicator catalogues, Bob,” Thalen replied.

“Ah, well, if you need any help, just call my name and let me know what you’re trying to find. The listings can be huge, depending on what you’re after, and I can help narrow down the results for you.”

“Thanks, Bob,” I replied.

“See you in school tomorrow, Jason!" Bob added gaily.

“I thought there wasn’t a school here and I was gonna be homeschooled!”

“That’s true, but it’s a virtual school, and I will be connecting you to it. Be ready at nine a.m. sharp! And don’t worry, I’ll make sure you’re up! Tootles!”

“Aw, man,” Jason muttered, looking down at his now empty bowl of stew. “Can’t I have another day off?” he begged me.

I shook my head. “Better not rock the boat.”