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

”Then I will let Maiya know that you accept, both she and Director Brarseth will be thrilled.” Queen Marilla said with a smile.

”Will you and the king be attending the UMB Cup?” Lorelie asked curiously.

”I was planning on attending since it’s an excuse to visit Maiya again, whom I haven’t seen in so long, while also supporting our galazies team. Osharus, on the other hand, unfortunately wont be able to attend because it is almost time for the Universal Senate’s Supreme Speaker selection and Tyne, our Oasis Galaxies senator in the Universal Senate, has a high chance of being named the next supreme speaker. 

Osharus has been speaking with Senator Pevaphio while she has been staying in the palace, along with the leaders of many other races, to try and garner their vote.” 

”The Supreme Speaker, wasn’t that what Senator Pevaphio wanted me to attend as her Universal Senator’s personal bodyguard or something? I wonder if that’s still the case.” Adam muttered.

”Wait? Senator Pevaphio asked you to act as her Universal Senator’s personal bodyguard?” Queen Marila asked in surprise.

”A few days ago, when we all ate at Metgar’s, however, she hasn’t mentioned it to me since.” Adam replied before turning to Tephe and asking, ”Do you mind asking your mum if she’s happy to go ahead with the deal we made?” 

”Sure,” Tephe replied.

”Deal? Wasn’t the deal for you to accompany her in exchange for being able to visit this dragon homeworld?” Rowena asked curiously, while the other women also showed looks of curiosity.

”Visit the dragon homeworld?” Adam asked in surprise as Tephe also stopped messaging her mum and looked over in curiosity.

”Could that have changed? Did Tephe never run away in this timeline since her prophecy changed?” Adam mumbled quietly to himself.

”Hey, what are you mumbling about?” Stacey asked as she poked Adam’s cheek.

”Err, nothing, don’t worry about it, you don’t need to message your mum after all,” Adam replied and told Tephe before changing the subject and saying, ”Since you will be attending the UMB Cup Queen Marilla, I insist that you travel with us.”

Queen Marilla looked at Adam curiously for a few minutes before deciding not to ask about the sudden change in topic and instead replied, ”I would be more than happy to accompany you all, as long as you have the room aboard your ship. Travelling with friends is always more fun.” 

”There is more than enough room,” Adam replied before asking, ”How long will the UMB Cup last? Would you need us to bring you back home?” 

”It is scheduled to last for several weeks, but don’t worry about transporting me back home; I can have a ship collect me when it’s time. I am sure you will be busy protecting Lorelie at her concerts.” 

”It’s a shame you can’t compete at the UMB Cup.” Tephe suddenly said to Adam as she finished sending her mother a message.

”I’m not part of one of the galaxies, even if I wanted to compete, I wouldn’t be allowed,” Adam replied.

”Not to mention he would need a mech to compete,” Stacey commented.

”But he has a mech, remember,” Tephe replied.

”You have a mech?” Stacey asked in surprise.

”Hang on, Tephe and Revi did mention something about that before,” Lorelie stated.

”Oh, you’re right,” Stacey replied as she suddenly remembered the conversation they had about Adam and Tephe travelling back to the Siege of Fenix Nest.

”I’m impressed you have your own mech, considering how expensive they are, though you still wouldn’t be able to compete, I’m afraid.” Queen Marilla remarked.

”What about the charity match they always have during the opening ceremony?” Rowena asked.

”Charity match?” Adam asked.

”During every opening ceremony, they hold a charity match where they invite the rich and influential to enter a mech of their own in a winner-takes-all competition. 

The charity match has a buy-in cost, where all the credits go into a pot, and the overall winners’ sponsor decides how to divvy it up and which charities get what.”

”What’s the buy-in cost?” Adam asked curiously.

”Two million credits,” Queen Marilla replied.

”What the fuck,” Adam asked in shock before asking, ”Why would anyone be willing to pay that amount? I mean, sure, it goes to a good cause, but two million credits?” 

”To help build their reputation as someone who donates to good causes. Regardless of whether the mech there sponsoring wins or not, they will be recognised as giving to charity.” Rowena replied.

”Don’t forget the tax deduction many races will give to those who donate to charities,” Erkath added.

”Oh, right there’s that too,” Rowena said before explaining, ”If a company and or individual can prove that they donate to charities, then many races will give them tax discounts on any purchases they make in their galaxy. Over a year, those combined tax discounts allow them to save far more credits than the two-million buy-in.”

”There you go, Adam, you can compete in this charity match, easy.” Tephe proclaimed happily.

”How rich do you think I am? Where am I going to get two million credits?” Adam replied.

”You don’t have the credits?” Tephe asked.

”I don’t.” 

”You can’t compete?” 

”I can’t.”

”Boo,” Tephe said in a sad tone.

”Why not just get your girlfriend to sponsor your entry?” Queen Marilla asked with a chuckle.

”Huh?” Adam replied before turning to Lorelie and asking with a dry voice, ”You’re that rich?” 

”She’s the biggest music Diva in the universe, and she has her own mansion on her own island. It never crossed your mind that she was rich?” Erkath asked with surprise.

”I haven’t really ever needed credits since I arrived in the known universe. I guess it never crossed my mind that Lorelie was rich,” Adam replied, causing all the women to look at him with surprise.

”You really hit the jackpot with this one, Lorelie. A man who doesn’t care about your wealth? I’m jealous.” Rowena remarked with clear jealousy.

”Haven’t you been married many times?” Adam asked.

”I have, and everyone one of them was always asking for money,” Rowena replied.

”Then why did you marry them?” 

”Because people always do foolish things when they’re in love.” 

”Rowena’s always had bad taste in men,” Erkath said with a chuckle.

”We aren’t all lucky enough to still be married to our first love like you,” Rowena pouted.

”So anyway, are you going to compete in the charity match, Adam?” Tephe asked.

”I think that’s up to my sponsor to decide,” Adam replied with a chuckle as he looked at Lorelie.

”As you said to me earlier, babe, what’s mine is yours, so if you want to participate, I will be your sponsor.” ”Lorelie replied while winking.

”I guess I will participate if it doesn’t interfere with me protecting Lorelie then.” 

”Yay, this is going to be so great.” Tephe cheered happily.

”I will let Maiya know that you’re happy to perform at the opening ceremony and that you wish to sponsor a mech in the charity match.” Queen Marilla stated.

💫💫💫

”Ladies and gentlemen, welcome back to sports cast,” An alien newscaster said from the holographic screen the group was watching.

”It has just been announced by UMW Cup Director Brarseth Opalbeard that Diva Lorelie will be performing at the UMW Cup’s opening ceremony.

It has already been reported that the next destination of Diva Lorelie’s Genre Tour after her home galaxy would be the Felidae Galaxy. Because of this, and the fact that the UMW Cup is being held there, Director Brarseth approached Diva Lorelie and requested that she perform at the opening ceremony, which she agreed to.

Unconfirmed rumours coming out of the UMW Cup’s organisation committee state that Diva Lorelie also plans to sponsor a mech in the opening ceremony’s charity match.

We will, of course, bring you updates on this topic as we receive them.

In other news, the Universal Watersphere Organisation that oversees everything pertaining to the sport of Watersphere have today announced that an investigation will be done into the Oceana Abes regarding their suspicious substitution in their recent match against the Oasis Fangs, which has garnered much attention after Diva Lorelie and Watersphere legendary player Muriel both stated that it was suspicious.”

”You’re all over not only the Musiccast but even the Sportscast now.” Rowena chuckled before turning to Adam and asking, ”What’s it like to date the most popular and most talked about person in the known universe?” 

Adam, who was seated between Stacey and Lorelie as they rested their heads on his shoulder, turned to Rowena and said, ”Awesome.”

”Hehe, I bet.” Rowena giggled. 

”What do you think they will find when they investigate the Oceana Abes?” Stacey asked as she lifted her head from Adam’s shoulder and turned her body before learning back against him.

”Most likely that Murphy has a clause in his contract saying that the Abes can’t sub him out,” Lorelie replied as she mimicked Stacey’s action.

”Isn’t it stupid for any team to agree to such a contract clause?” Adam asked.

”Yup,” Lorelie replied as she closed her eyes and enjoyed the feeling of leaning against her lover without worry.