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

“Hi Adam, I’m Becky. We have spoken a few times on your stream, and I’m happy to be able to meet you finally,” Becky said with a large smile as her eyes never left him.

“Hi Princess, hi Becky, it’s great to see you both again,” Tephe said happily as she waved at the two.

“It’s a pleasure to see you both again,” Rowena said as she nodded at the two.

“Likewise, I hope I find you both in good health,” Lorelie said with a smile.

“Princess,” Stacey said curtly before shooting a glance at Becky, but not giving her a greeting.

Tessa smiled at each greeting in turn until she got Stacey’s curt greeting, where her smile faltered slightly. She had been told by her mother how Stacey didn’t respect or like the Imperial Family after their failure on Trillion. Tessa could fully understand it and couldn’t blame Stacey for her attitude towards them.

“Hi, everyone,” Becky said as she finally looked away from Adam to greet the other women.

“Why don’t we all sit?” Tessa suggested as she indicated that everyone should make themselves comfortable while she sat back down.

Stacey grabbed Adam’s arm and pulled him down onto the sofa opposite Tessa while staring pointedly at Becky as if telling her that Adam was hers and not to try anything.

Becky controlled herself not to respond out of jealousy as she sat down beside Tessa, while Lorelie sat down on Adam’s other side while rolling her eyes.

Rowena chuckled at Stacy’s attitude as she sat down on a different sofa and waited to see if Becky would eventually crack and let loose or if she would be able to hold herself back.

Tephe, who didn’t notice the tension in the air, happily sat down beside Rowena.

“So, Lorelie tells us that you wish to purchase Royal Entertainment?” Tessa asked in an attempt to lighten the mood and move the conversation on.

“That’s correct, Princess Terrana,” Adam replied.

“Just Tessa is fine.”

Adam raised an eyebrow at Tessa’s response while Rowena gave her signature smirk before he said, “I’m afraid that would not be appropriate since we have only just met.”

“I see, then, how about Princess Tessa, since I prefer that over Princess Terrana?” Tessa asked.

“I guess that’s fine, Princess Tessa.”

“Good, then tell me, Mr Spencer, why the interest in purchasing Royal Entertainment?” 

“Lorelie and Rowena advised me that getting myself a steady income of credits was advisable since I am new to the known universe, and since I am dating Lorelie, they suggested I create my own entertainment company so that they can both advise me on it.

Unfortunately, I know nothing about starting a company, nor do Lorelie or Rowena, so I came up with the idea to purchase an entertainment company instead, also because of the recent tragedy in your family and the death of your brother, Prince Francis Terrana. I figured your family might not have the time to spend on running Royal Entertainment anymore.”

“I see,” Tessa replied thoughtfully before asking, “Then might I ask how you plan to purchase Royal Entertainment from us? I mean no disrespect, but as you just said, you’re new to the known universe, and so I doubt you have much capital.”

“In this regard, you would be correct,” Adam replied before continuing, “I was thinking of offering something in trade for the rights to Royal Entertainment.”

“Oh! What did you have in mind?” Tessa asked as she and the other women all gave Adam curious looks.

“The reversal of the trade embargo and access restriction to the shared military technology program placed on the Terran Empire by the Universal Senate,” Adam replied confidently, causing Tessa and Becky’s eyes to widen in surprise while Lorelie smiled and Rowena let out a low whistle.

“I’m sorry, Mr Spencer, but I think I might have misheard,” Tessa said before she leaned forward slightly and asked in a serious tone, “Are you saying you can end both the trade embargo and shared military technology program placed on my race?”

“I am.”

“Seriously,” Becky gasped in shock.

“Forgive me, but how exactly can you manage that? It was the Universal Senate that placed the embargo after all.” Tessa asked.

“At my suggestion,” Adam replied calmly.

“Excuse me?” Tessa asked with a raised eyebrow.

“After arriving on Oceana Seven, we all ate a meal at Metgar’s restaurant, where we were joined by Tephe’s mother, Senator Pevaphio. During our discussion, Senator Pevaphio mentioned that since the TISF attacked a ship carrying her daughter, she planned to support the Merinmian king in his attempt to place the harshest possible trade embargos on the Terrans.

It was my suggestion that they should instead only focus restrictions on the TISF and items of desire, such as God’s Oasis.” Adam explained.

“Why might I ask, did you make that suggestion?” 

“Because the alternative would be far worse for the Terran race as a whole, and I have no problem with your race as a whole, only those who attacked us or those who ordered the attack.” 

“I see, then I suppose I should thank you on behalf of the citizens of my race, though they’re not exactly happy with my family right now,” Tessa replied with a sigh before asking, “Forgive the ignorance of this princess, but would you mind explaining how exactly you plan to have the Universal Senate reverse both restrictions placed on my race?”

“By having those who raised the idea of both restrictions with the Universal Senate, namely Senator Pevaphio of the dragon race and Senator Tyne of the Merinmian race, request its dissolution.

Shortly after arriving here on Felinia Seven, I asked Tephe to contact Senator Pevaphio while Lorelie contacted King Osharus regarding this matter and managed to get them to agree to reverse both restrictions should both Tephe and Lorelie wish it.” 

“You’ve had this planned all along?” Tessa asked in a respectful tone.

“Only since I decided to try and purchase Royal Entertainment, I am fully aware of my own financial situation and knew that I would need something to trade since I lack the credits,” Adam replied with a shrug.

“Surely Senator Pevaphio and King Osharus didn’t agree that easily?” Tessa asked.

“They surprisingly did. Senator Pevaphio just made me promise to keep Tephe safe while she travels with us, something I was already doing anyway. And Queen Marilla dotes on Lorelie like a mother and easily managed to get her husband, King Osharus, to agree to her request.”

“She doesn’t dote on me,” Lorelie pouted.

“Sure, sure, if you say so,” Adam replied with a smile while gently stroking her hair.

“Mean, you know I like it when you do that,” Lorelie tried to complain, but couldn’t help but smile as she enjoyed Adam’s touch.

“I know,” Adam replied as he continued to stroke her hair gently.

“I see, but would the Universal Senate agree to their request?” Tessa asked as she tried to ignore the part of her that wished Adam would stroke her hair like that, something that Becky was clearly failing at as she looked at Lorelie in jealousy.

“They believe that most of the Universal Senate will back their request if they plead the case that both Lorelie and Tephe think that the Terran race has suffered enough after the recent attack on both the Trillion’s neutron reactor, which even now still leaves most of the planet without power, and the Imperial Family, in which most of your family unfortunately died.”

“I see,” Tessa replied as she taped her chin with one of her fingers thoughtfully.

Adam gave her a few minutes to think about his words before asking, “So, do we have a deal?”

“I will naturally have to speak with my brother, the future emperor, about your offer; however, I would like to add a stipulation of our own,” Tessa replied.

“What would that be?” Adam replied.

“As you know, Royal Entertainment was previously owned completely by my now deceased brother, Francis, and since his death, it has fallen into the hands of the Imperial Family. 

What we request is that we only sell you ninety-five per cent of Royal Entertainment.”

“Why would you request that?” Adam asked with a frown.

“Because Empress Victoria is a smart lady,” Rowena suddenly said, causing everyone to look at her before Adam asked. 

“What do you mean?”

Rowena didn’t immediately reply but instead turned to Tessa and said, “My apologies for interrupting your negotiations, Princess Tessa. However, since I believe your mother has already advised you on this negotiation, isn’t it fair that I am allowed to advise Adam?” 

Tessa smiled before saying, “It seems that experience really does come with age. Please go right ahead, Diva Rowena.”

“Thank you,” Rowena replied politely before turning to Adam and saying, “Judging by Princess Tessa’s request to keep five per cent of Royal Entertainment, I can safely assume that Empress Victoria has probably figured out the real reason Lorelie and I wanted you to create an entertainment company, so that she and at some point in the future I can join it.”