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

“Plus, perhaps even other divas and famous celebrities in the future also?” Tessa asked with a smirk.

“Possibly, isn’t that what every entertainment company aims for?” Rowena replied casually.

“I suppose you’re right,” Tessa replied as both women studied each other as if they were having a silent conversation only they knew.

“Am I missing something here?” Adam asked as he looked between the two women.

“Nothing important,” Rowena replied before continuing, “The Imperial Family most likely wants to hang onto five per cent of the business as they are anticipating it to do well and grow under new ownership, plus they still want to build a connection with you.” 

“Is that so?” Adam asked, turning to Tessa with a questioning look.

“Yes, the Imperial Family has always wanted to build a closer relationship with you….” Tessa began, but was interrupted by Stacey, who huffed and said.

“You have a funny way of showing it.”

“That wasn’t our fault; it was a small faction in the Imperial Family and traitors in the TISF who orchestrated the attack on you all,” Becky replied.

“So you admit that you couldn’t keep your house in order?” Stacey shot back.

“It wasn’t my house to keep in order, and Tessa was just a princess without much authority. What did you expect her to do? If you want to blame someone, blame the new dead emperor for being a poor leader,” Becky retorted.

“Enough, Becky,” Tessa said with a sad look in her eyes before adding, “Whatever he may have been, he was still my father.” 

“Yes, princess, I apologise,” Becky said apologetically as she lowered her head.

“You stay quiet as well, granddaughter, or are you trying to ruin Adam’s negotiations?” Rowena replied as she shot Stacey a look.

“No, grandmother, I didn’t mean…” Stacey began but stopped when she felt a hand on her head.

“It’s fine,” Adam said before asking, “I know you only said that because you care about me, right, Stacey?”

 “Mmm,” Stacey replied in acknowledgement as she enjoyed Adam’s touch.

“Besides, maybe some good can come out of the tragedy that has befallen the imperial family.”

“What do you mean?” Tessa asked with a frown.

“We already know that two members of the imperial family were corrupt and working with terrorists to perform a coup d’état.”

“Coup d’état?” Tessa asked curiously as she didn’t recognise the unfamiliar phrase, while the other women listened in with interest.

“Ah, apologies,” Adam said before explaining, “coup d’état is a French saying from back on my homeworld, ah, before you ask, French is the name of the language they speak in the country of France, as well as a few others, but I’m getting off topic.

A coup d’état is an illegal or covert attempt by the military or other government entities to unseat the current leadership.” 

“I see that is indeed an appropriate term for the situation we just went through,” Tessa said in understanding before adding, “but please, continue, Mr Spencer.”

“So we know that two of the imperial family members planned to attempt this coup d’état; however, we don’t know if there were other imperial family members who were planning things behind the scenes.”

“You make it sound like my whole family was corrupt,” Tessa said with a slight frown.

“I meant no offence, I’ve just learnt from experience that most people in power can’t be trusted, as at the end of the day they’re only out for their own self-interests, it’s not just your family specifically. As the old saying from my world goes, ‘power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely.”

“Your homeworld is full of unique and interesting sayings,” Rowena said with interest.

“Anyway, as I was saying. Now that there are only three members of the imperial family remaining, and you are all direct relations that include yourself, your younger brother and your mother, you shouldn’t have to worry about any more traitors and can fully focus on the people of your empire as well as building a prosperous empire.

This is the good that I hope to see come out of the tragedy that has befallen your family, Princess Tessa.”

“I agree, I hope that my brother will grow up to be a wise and just emperor,” Tessa said in agreement before asking, “So what’s your opinion on us only selling you ninety-five per cent of Royal Entertainment?”

“What can you offer in exchange for that five per cent?” Adam asked in return.

💫💫💫

“What the fuck do you want, Taiki? You already know the mech’s ready to go.” Mika asked in an annoyed tone as Prime’s appeared on the holographic screen above the console in her workshop.

“I need some last-minute adjustments made to the mech,” Prime replied.

“What, why?” Mika asked with a frown.

“That’s not your concern, you’re only being paid to make the mech to my specification.” 

“Fine, keep your secrets. What adjustments do you want made to it?” 

💫💫💫

“Excuse me?” Victoria asked in shock as she stared in shock at the holographic screen before her, showing Tessa and Becky, before asking, “He’s offering to have the Universal Senate reverse the trade embargo and access restriction to the shared military technology program on us in payment for Royal Entertainment?” 

“Yes, mother,” Tessa replied.

 “Of all the things I expected him to offer, this was not one of them,” Victoria replied with a smile before saying, “He continues to impress and make things interesting.

“It was certainly surprising and not something I expected to happen either,” Tessa said with a smile.

“I told you he was great,” Becky said proudly.

“Why are you acting like you’re proud of your husband? You’re not even dating him?” Tessa asked with a smirk.

“Hmph, not yet,” Becky pouted.

“What happened to being worried that you’re like Diva Aphrodite?” Tessa replied.

“Shut up bitch,” Becky retorted as she glared at Tessa.

“Like Diva Aphrodite?” Victoria asked curiously.

“Don’t worry about it,” Becky said quickly before asking, “So are we going to accept his offer?” 

“Naturally, why wouldn’t we accept such an offer? Though I’m curious to know if he agreed to only purchasing ninety-five per cent?” Victoria replied.

“He did, but he wants something in return,” Tessa replied.

“Sounds reasonable since he wont be getting complete ownership of Royal Entertainment,” Victoria replied before asking, “What did he ask for?” 

As she did, she noticed that Tessa and Becky shared a look, causing her to ask, “Is something wrong?”

“He asked for the right to choose the way in which Andrew and Petunia are put to death,” Tessa replied with a disturbed look.

“I see, I suppose, since he was directly targeted by Andrew and his scheme, that makes sense, Victoria replied with a sigh before asking with a raised eyebrow, “So why are the two of you looking so disturbed?” 

“It was the way he wants the two of them to be put to death, it’s something from his homeworld called flaying?” Tessa replied before shivering slightly.

“Flaying?” Victoria asked curiously.

Becky saw that Tessa wasn’t comfortable about talking about this, so she said with a frown, “Aparently it’s a way they used to punish those who committed the act of treason in ancient times. It is the act of removing the skin while the individual is conscious.”

“Excuse me?” Victoria asked as her eyes widened in shock.

“As you can imagine, it is apparently ridiculously painful, and if done properly, the act can be drawn out for hours or even days before the individual dies from blood loss, shock, infection or hyperthermia.” Stacey finished explaining before she herself shivered from the mere thought. 

“Oh my god,” Victoria replied as her shock increased before saying, “I have no words to describe how disturbing that is.” 

“I know, Tessa and I also had no words to respond, and because of how brutal it sounds, we were forced to inform him that we needed to speak to you first regarding this, since Steven is obviously too young to learn of this,” Becky explained.

“He definitely is,” Victoria replied before going quiet as she considered Adam’s offer carefully.

“Are you against the deal now that you have heard this, mother?” Tessa asked.

“Not at all, I personally approve of those two traitors receiving this punishment and am all for it; it’s what traitors deserve after all,” Victoria replied with a dark smile before saying, “I’m just trying to think of any possible repercussions we could receive from doing this.” 

“Naturally, there will be some individuals who do not approve of this action because of its brutality. After all, even now, some people think that the death penalty should be abolished.” Stacey said with a frown.

“I also expect that many of the other races who oppose us will indeed publicly denounce how brutal our actions are, should we do this,” Tessa remarked.

“Those bastard other races use any reason they can to try and shame us, just like that cunt Malgath,” Victoria cursed with a frown.

“So I’m guessing that I should contact Adam and tell him that we are willing to sell Royal Entertainment to him,” Tessa stated.