At the rate they were going, they'll reach the desert in roughly 50 minutes. Jake can only hope Aile held a tight enough grip on his hand.

The physics part of his brain wonders how the heck you can leap off a wall, then land BACK on that same wall at a higher point than where you leapt off it.

The *meta*-physical part of his brain wonders if she dodges the attacks of 'bosses' in confined rooms with said physics-defying wall leaps.

+

Jake looked down at Aile as she called out.

"OK! Just promise you'll hold on tight!"

Per the burnette's word, Jake's flight speed went up to 72 mph. He was indeed flying faster!

Jake was hesitant to fly fast. But from the look in the burnette's eyes, she was ready to see how fast he can fly.

"OK! I'm gonna trust you, Aile!"

With that settled, he charges up his ki… and Zoom! Off they went to the desert that Aile mentioned!

"Yeah? I can only hope you'll hang on. I fly at a really fast rate, so if you want, I'll take it as slow as possible."

"Gotcha! Just step into the spinny blue portal over there, and we shall be OFF!"

On its other side wait a panoply of lifeforms; several wave a hand, tentacle, or other appendage.

"Welcome to Akashic Labs, the Federation's explorers (and occasional do-gooders) of the Infinite Cosmos!" +

"You really think so?"

Jake smiled a bit as Aile admired his strength.

"Well, I have been training nonstop."

Why would he let her go alone? That would go against his promises of sticking by her through thick and thin, they were partners....and as of late more.

"Hey, if I can hold a train car over my head... I'd be damned if I couldn't fly with my girlfriend in my arms."

Oh did he just call her his...

"Well, if you're offering, I shall graciously accept."

He taps his comm badge, scrolling through the feeds.

"Want to swing by the lab and meet my co-workers first, or jump straight into the action and help me track down the crew of a missing ship on Taris Minor?"

The saiyan just blushed a bit.

"Oh! O-okay."

He slowly descended to grab Aile's hand. Once that was done, he ascended back, lifting the brunette from the ground.

"A desert? Good idea! Let's-a go!"

Jake takes off!

…And then comes back, because he left Aile behind.

"Uhh… Y-you want me to fly you there?"

He asked the burnette while floating above her.

"…Ahem! Well, we do have two options. We can see if there are any wastelands in this world, or we can go to my world and do battle there."

He wasn't wrong about the second option. Valm started as a wasteland, but since its reconstruction…why would he and Aile spar there?

Was this really happening? Was Aile really willing to spar with Jake? Well, it's not like he has any say in the matter. He may as well take it in and accept her offer.

"V-very well. I'll see if there's a place without any people, animals or buildings. We'll spar there."

Wait…

"Uh… Can you fly?"

"You mean it?"

Jake looks at Aile with a hint of red on his face.

"I-I mean… I appreciate it, but I'm not gonna go easy on you when we have the chance."

Jake blushed a bit while looking down.

"I… Honestly, I would've liked to have a small sparring session with you. You do seem strong, but I doubt I stand a chance. I can't even turn into a Super Saiyan."

"Well…"

Jake rubbed his arm a bit.

"It depends on the power level of the Reploid. Like you said, I may have an easier time if they're not strong, but like…say they have a power level that's way bigger than mine. What chance do I have against someone that strong?"

Jake turned his attention to Aile.

"You'd be correct. I may be a Saiyan, but I do need to be careful when it comes to fighting a Reploid. I'm not very confident when I face a really strong opponent."

Jake took a quick look at her vehicle. It has a sleek design. The blue paint job matches Aile's jacket.

"Oh, I agree. I'm still learning about the Mavericks, and from what I saw, they're more dangerous than bandits."

Jake smiled a bit as Aile offered him a seat beside her. Then he looks up at the sky, watching the clouds.

"What a lovely day—perfect time to relax. Just look at the clouds."

He points at the clouds as they roll by.