S.P.E.C.T.O.R – [A Sci-fi space adventure with fantasy elements]

”Come on, honey, you know I was only joking around,” Andrew said as he followed Lizzie into the main hall of the Mercenary Hall.

”That’s the problem, you’re messing around, embarrassing me.” Lizzie snapped in return as all the mercs in the hall turned to watch the entertainment.

The Mercenary Hall was packed full as all the mercs were waiting to hear if there was any last-minute info about the special mission, which was due to start in a couple of hours.

”What did Andrew do to piss Lizzie off so much?”

”It seems Andrew said something that embarrassed Lizzie in front of a bunch of people, and it made her mad. Now he’s stuck sleeping on the sofa for a month.”

”No shit, a month? Damn, he must really have pissed her off this time. Normally, whenever he does anything to anger her, it’s a couple of days to a week max.”

”Seriously, we all know she wears the trousers in that relationship, and I can’t believe that Andrew still hasn’t learnt his lesson yet.”

”My question is, why does she still put up with him? I mean, he does something that lands him on the sofa once or twice a month.”

”Maybe he’s good in bed.” One merc commented, making all those around burst out in laughter until they noticed that Lizzie had heard them and was now giving them all a dangerous look, causing them to bury their heads in their drinks.

”Is it just me, or is Lizzie secretly the big boss of the merc hall?” Adam asked Greg as he sat at the bar and watched the commotion.

Adam had managed to grab a few hours’ sleep in his cabin on Spector after he had handed over Cooper and sold off the equipment he looted from the Slingshot. His alarm he set had woken him up, and after grabbing a quick shower and some food, he had headed for the Mercenary Hall.

”It’s no secret, kid, Andrew might be the hall master on paper; however, it’s Lizzie that does all the work and has the respect of all the mercs,” Greg replied with a smile.

”Why?” Adam asked.

”Andrew and Lizzie are actually duel hall masters; however, there has never been a president for that before, so only one of them could have their name on the official document.”

”How did they decide that?”

”No idea, rumour has it they had a competition and the loser would have to be the officially registered hall master, obviously Lizzie won, but as for what the actual competition was, only they know.”

”The loser got the position?” Adam replied with a chuckle before asking, ”Why did the Mercenary Hall suddenly decide to have a hall with dual masters if there was no president for it?”

”Andrew and Lizzie used to be part of a highly successful group of mercenaries in the past. They were such a good team that they even became one of the few S-class merc crews in this section of the universe. Lizzie was the brains of the crew while Andrew was the brawn.” Greg started to explain.

”However, after a certain… incident, the crew broke up and went their separate ways.”

”What incident?” Adam asked.

”Not my place to say, kid, anyway, after the crew split, Andrew and Lizzie returned to Palaxia, as that is where they were born. They planned to settle down together and maybe start a family since they had long been a couple, and they had made more than enough credits from their careers as S-class mercs that they didn’t need to work another day in their lives.”

”However, before that could happen, the head of this Mercenary Hall at the time suddenly passed away from an illness she had been fighting for many years. None of the current mercs working here were suitable to take over her position, and no high-ranking mercs from other halls wanted to move here to run this hall. Palaxia isn’t exactly top on anyone’s vacation list after all.”

”In a final desperate bid, the Mercenary Hall HQ approached Andrew and Lizzie, asking them to become the new leaders since they were moving back here anyway.”

”At first, the pair refused as they had no interest in doing mercenary work anymore. However, after the HQ told them that they would have to shut the hall down if they refused because of the lack of finding a suitable hall master, they reluctantly agreed as long as it was only until they found a suitable replacement.”

”Andrew and Lizzie started their careers here in this hall after all, and it means a lot to them.”

”So how long have they been dual masters now?” 

”Going on three years now,” Greg replied before moving off to serve another merc who wanted more drinks.

💫💫💫

A couple of hours later, on Terrana 5, a press conference was about to begin inside a large, impressive skyscraper that had the words Royal Entertainment on the front of the building.

Inside a large room, reporters from many different species and races had gathered for the press conference as micro cams floated above them and they played around with different documents and functions on their unibands.

”Why did Royal Entertainment suddenly call for a press conference if they’re going to make us wait?” One reporter complained.

”Who knows, it’s not like a Terran entertainment company is going to have anything that’s worth covering outside their own galaxy.” Another non-Terran reporter replied.

”Apparently, they’re waiting on a special guest to get ready before they begin?” 

”Where did you hear that?” 

”I have my sources.”

”Well, whatever, it’s properly them just announcing their ’next big thing.’” The reporter scoffed.

”She’s right, it’s not like any non-Terran has been willing to sign for Royal Entertainment after that incident with Princess Liluth Solar damaged the Terran’s universal rep.”

In a side room from where the reporters had gathered, a man passed back and forth with an annoyed look on his face as he suddenly turned to the holographic screen in the room and asked, ”Well?”

”Calm yourself, Francis, I told you I would let you know when you can start,” Becky replied as her beautiful face was shown on the holographic screen.

”The reporters have already been standing out there for over an hour now, and I can’t just keep them waiting,” Francis replied.

This was Francis Terrana, the second prince of the Terran Empire and the owner of Royal Entertainment.

”We already explained this to you. We can’t start the press conference until the Palaxia Mercenary Halls special mission commences; otherwise, they will know that they have been compromised and flee before the elimination unit is in place.” Becky explained with exasperation.

”I know that already, but keeping the press waiting is not a good idea, especially when many of them are from races who do not like us and enjoy reporting bad news about us.”

”My apologies, Prince Francis, this is all because of my selfish request.” Lorelie suddenly said with a slight bow from the holographic screen.

”No, no, I don’t blame you, Lorelie, this is just so unorthodox and not the way these things normally happen,” Francis replied.

”Well, at least it will be something that Royal Entertainment is remembered for,” Becky said with a grin.

”Let’s just hope it’s remembered for the right reasons,” Lorelie said.

”With what’s about to happen, how can’t it be remembered for the right reasons?” Becky replied confidently before she suddenly said excitedly, ”Spector just went live, and it’s for the special mission; you can start now.”

”Finally,” Francis said with a sigh as he took a moment to straighten his clothes before he left the side room.

As he entered the main room, all the reporters turned their attention to him as their microcams also all focused on Francis and followed him until he stepped up onto a stage and stood in front of a podium.

”My apologies for keeping you all waiting, and let me thank you all for coming and for your patience. Unfortunately, because of certain circumstances that will soon become clear, we were unable to start any sooner.” Francis began.

”As I am sure everyone here and also those watching are aware Diva Lorelie was recently attacked by pirates upon entry into Terran space and the Sandanar Galaxy, fortunately she was rescued by an individual who was in the area before then being transferred onto the TISF cruiser Imperial Down where she is currently being transported here to Terrana five as we speak.”

The press frowned and murmured, wondering why Royal Entertainment’s owner was bringing this well-known news up.

”What you are all unaware of is the perpetrators behind this incident.” Francis continued.

”Are you saying that Royal Entertainment and by connection the Terran Imperial family knows the identity of these perpetrators?” A Merinmian reporter suddenly asked.

”Indeed, however, I request that all questions you may have wait until I have finished, as we have much to go through,” Francis replied before continuing.

”Royal Entertainment and by connection the Terran Imperial family has come to learn that the perpetrators of this incident were in fact Drotas Entertainment.” Francis declared, causing all the reporters present in the room to look shocked before going crazy as they started spewing out questions.