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

“Affirmative,” Spector replied before a new holographic screen appeared in Revi’s office and showed them the events that took place.

Shortly after the six headless bodies of the PSF officers hit the floor, a red glow surrounded each of the bodies before they burst into flame and were reduced to a pile of ash, though if one looked closely, they could see the top of an egg poking out of each ash pile.

“So they were definitely phoenixes then,” Elemence stated with a frown.

The one at the front is Lieutenant Pire,” Nite remarked in surprise.

“So at least one of them was a member of the PSF,” Adam remarked.

“Damn idiots, why did they go against my orders and get themselves killed?” Revi cursed in anger.

“I would also like to know that since the way they were clearly approaching Spector while looking around and the fact that they tampered with the security footage clearly points to foul play,” Adam replied.

“Agreed,” Revi replied before saying, “Admiral Nite,”

“Empress?” Nite responded immediately.

“Have the people you sent to investigate this matter recover the six eggs and transport them to a secure holding facility where they will remain until they hatch and can answer our questions,” Revi ordered.

“At once empress,” Nite replied.

“Won’t they be born as chicks or something? Can you even question them after they have just been born and can you even understand them?” Adam asked curiously.

“I’m assuming you’re under the impression that once we take our human form, we are no longer able to communicate with our young?” Revi asked with a teasing smirk while Elemence and Nite also smiled.

“Riggghht, that would be stupid, wouldn’t it,” Adam replied as he realised the stupidity of his question.

“Yes, it would,” Revi replied with the same teasing smirk before she admitted, “You are correct that we can’t just question them right after they are born; we need to wait a few hours at least.”

“Wow, you mature way quicker than humans if your race can already communicate after a few hours,” Adam said in amazement.

“See how amazing I am now?” Revi remarked proudly.

“He was complimenting our entire race, empress,” Elemence remarked.

“It’s fine to address me as Revi in front of Adam, Elemence,” Revi replied, causing Elemence to widen her eyes in surprise, while Revi said to Adam, “Allow me to explain.

While newborn phoenixes, as in those hatching from their eggs for the first time, do indeed take longer to be able to communicate since it’s all so new to them, those that have just been reborn, however, can adapt far quicker since they have been through it before.”

“That makes sense,” Adam replied before adding, “I can’t even imagine what it’s like to be reborn.”

“I can’t imagine what it’s like knowing that you only have a finite life to do everything you want,” Revi replied before adding, “Everything must seem like it needs to be so rushed to you.”

“I can understand why you would think that, but I guess it’s just the perspectives we have,” Adam replied.

“True, I guess if one day Rowena turns you and you no longer have to worry about a finite life them your perspective will also change,” Revi remarked as Elemence and Nite listened in with curiosity and surprise.

They had never before seen their empress act like this around a man, where she engaged in such idle chatter with him and seemed to have no inclination to want the conversation to end.

It was the complete opposite of every time she had to speak with the dragon Narven; in those cases, Revi did everything she could to end their conversations and depart as quickly as possible, even though he was currently recognised as the most handsome male in the universe after winning the award last year, though they did have to admit that the dragon had an overinflated ego.

“Rowena would never turn me,” Adam replied.

“Why? Are you against the idea?” Revi asked in surprise.

“There are special…… circumstances,” Adam replied.

“What does that mean?” Revi asked in confusion.

“It means it’s not something I’m willing to discuss like this and without speaking to Stacey and Rowena about it first,” Adam explained.

Revi studied Adam for a moment before sighing and saying, “Understood, but don’t think I’m dropping this subject, I’m keen to understand why you wouldn’t want to be turned and have the ability to live indefinitely.”

“Suit yourself,” Adam replied before adding, “Well, if that’s everything, I will let you get back to discussing whatever it was that I interrupted.”

“Don’t worry about it, we were just discussing the weapons fire we detected in the docking bay, which you cleared up and before that, about where to fit Lorelie into the celebration,” Revi replied.

“You’re having to fit Lorelie in?” Adam asked in disbelief.

“See, even he thinks it’s a joke that we have to somehow make room for her performance,” Elemence said in annoyance.

“As I already explained, I had no idea that they would end up staying for an entire week,” Revi replied before quickly adding towards Adam, “Not that you are not welcome to stay as long as you want.”

“Thanks,” Adam replied before adding,” And sorry about the sudden change of plans.”

“It’s fine, it’s not like you anticipated collapsing all of a sudden,” Revi said dismissively before asking, “Any idea how long it will be before you wake up?” 

“Yes, please do enlighten us since the whole celebration is being put on hold because a certain white dragon refuses to attend without you,” Elemence added sarcastically.

“Damn, the sarcasm is just radiating off you, isn’t it?” Adam asked.

“Don’t mind Elemence, she’s a stickler for things going by the datapad,” Revi replied before adding, “It makes her both the best and most annoying assistant I could ask for.”

“Well, sorry for being such a stickler, but might I remind you that you’re the one who insisted on my taking the post as your assistant since you complained that you couldn’t trust anyone else to do the job,” Elemence retorted.

“It’s your own fault for becoming my best friend back in school and the one I confide all my secrets in. I need to keep you close so that you don’t go revealing them,” Revi replied while smirking.

“All your secrets hum?” Elemence asked in a doubtful tone as she eyed Adam before adding, “Something tells me there’s a rather large secret which you have yet to confide in me.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Revi denied while avoiding eye contact with Elemence.

“Uh-huh,” Elemence replied in clear disbelief before turning to Adam and asking, “Please, do enlighten us on when you might wake from your nap so that I can arrange the start of the celebration accordingly.”

“Spector?” Adam asked.

“Unknown,” Spector replied before explaining, “Since what you are currently suffering from is something no one has encountered before, it is impossible for me to give an estimate. However, Oracle Andromeda did say you should awaken after two days and since thirty-six hours have already passed, it should be in roughly sixteen hours.”

“You are suffering from some new illness?” Elemence asked in surprise before turning to Revi and saying angrily, “Empress, Universal Law dictates that once a new disease, contagion or illness is discovered, we are to enact quarantine protocol so that it doesn’t spread.”

“He is in quarantine, he’s locked on his ship,” Revi replied.

“And what about everyone else who was in the docking bay when he collapsed, including yourself?” Elemence asked angrily.

“Relax, it’s not going to spread to any of us; it’s impossible,” Revi replied dismissively.

“And how do you know that?” Elemence asked.

“Errrr,” Revi replied as she tried to think up an excuse before turning to Adam for help.

Adam sighed before saying, “Since you trust her so much, just tell her, though make sure it stays between you two.”

“Thanks, Adam,” Revi replied while beaming happily in a way that surprised Elemence and Nite, while making Elemence even more certain about her suspicion.

“Well, I’m going to continue getting some rest. I will talk to you later,” Adam said before the holographic projection of him faded away.

“Nite, go take care of this matter personally, conduct a full investigation and do a check of all our security systems,” Revi ordered.

“Yes, empress,” Nite replied while saluting before vanishing.

“So?” Elemence asked after she and Revi were once again alone.

Revi sighed before saying, “Adam has a condition called Temporal Displacement Syndrome.

“Temporal as in time?” Elemence asked in confusion.

“Very good,” Revi replied in a teasing tone that made Elemence frown at her, causing her to cough before she continued.

“Remember that time when Vu contacted me because I had received a universal senate summons?”

“If it concerns the universal senate summons, I’m not sure you should be telling me this,” Elemence replied before adding, “After all, that summons was deemed classified; you told me that yourself when I asked you about it before.”

“True,” Revi conceded before adding, “But that was then and this is now.”