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

“It’s nice to see you again, Adam. I hope you’re taking care of my daughter.” Pevaphio stated with a smile from the mess hall’s large holographic screen.

“Mum!” Tephe pouted.

“It’s nice to see you too, Senator Pevaphio,” Adam replied, saying, “I hope I find you well.”

“Very well, thank you for asking,” Pevaphio replied. “So I’m guessing Tephe has told you why I wished to speak with you?”

“Something to do with the upcoming supreme speaker selection and how you still wish for me to act as your bodyguard,” Adam replied.

“That’s correct, though honestly, I’m mainly just doing it to spare myself from an annoyance,” Pevaphio replied.

What do you mean?” Adam asked.

Pevaphio sighed before explaining, “Every time I visit the Universal Senate, the head of the Universal Senate Security comes and badgers me about finally accepting a bodyguard.

With you there, however, they won’t be able to do this, though I will apologise ahead of time since you will no doubt have your credentials challenged.”

“I don’t have any credentials,” Adam replied.

“Forgive my interruption, Senator Pevaphio. But didn’t you say previously that it was your choice who you hired?” Lorelie asked.

“That’s correct,” Pevaphio answered. “As a Universal Senator, it is my right to take a bodyguard suggested by the Universal Senate Security, choose my own bodyguard or, as I have until now, take no bodyguard at all.

However, just because I have chosen Adam doesn’t mean everyone will like or respect him. Members of the Universal Senate Security can be a prideful bunch; they’re charged with protecting the universe’s decision-makers, after all.”

“You mean many of them are not going to like the fact that you picked Adam over them as your bodyguard?” Rowena asked.

“And because they can’t take it out on you, they will most likely target him?” Aphrodite added.

“Correct on both counts,” Pevaphio stated with a smile.

“You’re not exactly selling it to me,” Adam replied.

“I didn’t realise I needed to after you gave me your word,” Pevaphio stated.

“Fair enough,” Adam said with a sigh. “What can I expect from them then?”

“Snide remarks and the like are likely from the other Universal Bodyguards, while some might even challenge you,” Pevaphio answered. “The Universal Senate Security itself is going to be the main problem, however. I expect they might try to put you through some sort of test.”

“Good luck with that,” Stacey scoffed. “They have no authority to make Adam do anything.”

“True, just as how he’s in the unique position to refuse a Universal Senate summons, he can also refuse to take any test they propose,” Pevaphio replied. “But that could lead to further problems in the future.”

“Such as?” Emma asked.

“Such as having the senators put pressure on those races that are friends with Adam,” Pevaphio.

“How can they do that, Mum?” Tephe asked.

“Universal Bodyguards do not have such authority themselves; however, many of them have guarded the same senator for years, leading to them building a friendship,” Pevaphio explained. “It’s not inconceivable to think that a senator would use their influence on behalf of a friend who has protected them for years.”

Adam signed and rubbed the back of his head after hearing Pevaphio’s explanation. “Any idea what this test would be?”

This tale has been unlawfully lifted from NovelPhoenix. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.

“Normally, it would be the application tests that every applicant must take to become a universal bodyguard, but who knows what they could do out of jealousy,” Pevaphio answered.

“Jealousy, why?” Adam asked in confusion.

“Where do I start?” Pevaphio said with a smile. “Besides the fact that you were handpicked by me for a position many have applied for, there is also the fact that you’re known to be dating Diva Rowena and Diva Lorelie.

Then there is your highly advanced tech that each race would love to get their hands on, especially the ability to travel through time.

How do you manage that, by the way? And are there any restrictions on it?”

“All I know is that it’s capable because of the experimental drive and that I can’t travel forward in time,” Adam answered.

Pevaphio looked surprised upon hearing Adam’s response: “I’m surprised you actually revealed even that much.”

“Well, your Tephe’s mother, so you were bound to find out eventually,” Adam replied while shrugging.

“I see,” Pevaphio said as she gave her daughter a smile before asking. “But why can’t you travel forward in time?”

“Because it hasn’t happened yet,” Adam replied.

“I guess that kind of makes sense,” Pevaphio replied before thinking for a moment. “Then what about interacting with your past self?”

“Err, Spector?” Adam asked.

“While possible, it is ill-advised unless you yourself have interacted with a future version of yourself in your past,” Spector replied. “For it is impossible to know what will happen.”

“What?” Stacey asked as she tried to get her head around Spector’s response.

Spector, however, ignored her and added, “However, if you ever do meet your past self, you must never make any form of physical contact.”

“Why not?” Adam asked curiously.

“The same matter cannot occupy the same space,” Spector explained. “If you interact with your past self, a crack in time is created. Everything within a certain radius of the crack is pulled inside of it before being ripped apart and randomly deposited across time.

A fine hand might end up seventy years ago, while part of your eyeball ends up thirty thousand years ago.”

“Holy fuck, that’s scary,” Emma cursed.

“You’re right,” Eri said in agreement.

Pevaphio wore a thoughtful look before asking, “Pardon my ignorance, but how is it that you know what will happen?”

“That’s classified,” Spector replied.

“Adam?” Pevaphio asked with a smile.

“Spector?” Adam asked, though he had a feeling what its response would be.

“That’s classified,” Spector replied again.

“Yeah, I figured.” Adam sighed before giving Pevaphio an apologetic look.

“It’s even classified for you?” Pevaphio asked in surprise.

“I’m sure Tephe has already told you how I found Spector. As such, there are even things I don’t have clearance for,” Adam explained.

“How unusual,” Pevaphio replied.

“So when is the supreme selection due to take place?” Adam asked.

“The selection itself won’t begin for another two weeks or so, although many dignitaries have already begun to gather,” Pevaphio explained. While the majority of the space station, which houses the senators and their staff, is open to visitors all year round, the Senate itself is restricted to only senators, their assistants and security personnel.

Even planetary or galactic leaders such as Revi can’t enter it without permission. However, that rule is waived during special events, such as the supreme speaker selection.

At the time of the vote itself, leaders or their representatives are allowed to accompany their senator into the Senate Chamber.”

“Did you say the Universal Senate, the highest authority in the known universe, is a space station?” Emma asked in surprise.

Pevaphio nodded. “The Universal Senate is aboard a space station so that it is always at the centre of the known universe.”

“What do you mean, centre of the known universe?” Emma asked.

“It’s exactly as it sounds,” Pevaphio explained. “The known universe is constantly expanding as each of the races explores further out into the unknown reaches. Because of this, the centre of the known universe is often shifting.

The Universal Senate space station moves as the centre changes.”

“That’s incredible,” Emma said in amazement. “But what if a planet, sun or some other celestial body already occupies the centre?”

“The Universal Senate will take up position at a safe distance from said celestial body,” Pevaphio answered.

Emma nodded in understanding. “I see, thank you for explaining.”

Pevaphio smiled in return, and as she did, Eri asked, “Why are some dignitaries already meeting?”

“It’s a standard political move by some of the weaker galaxies at these kinds of events,” Pevaphio explained. “They wish to try and build stronger connections with the other galaxies. Ideally, they would prefer to build a connection with one of the stronger, more influential galaxies, such as my Draco Galaxy or the Galamedees Galaxy, but their representatives are unlikely to arrive until a day or two before the speaker selection begins.”

“Are we sending a representative?” Tephe asked in surprise.

“No, little one,” Pevaphio chuckled. “It was just an example; I alone will be there to cast our vote.”

“Who are you planning to vote for?” Rowena asked.

“Viven Agilehand; she has done well in her first term after all,” Pevaphio answered.

“So the same as Revi,” Adam stated.

Pevaphio nodded. “That’s not surprising, considering Revi’s friendship with Viven’s grandmother.”

“While I like Revi as a person… or should I say Phoenix, shouldn’t an empress prioritise her subjects above her personal feelings in this situation?” Emma asked.

“You are correct. Fortunately, Viven is someone whose personal ideals align with our own, which is why we are voting for her. Revi’s friendship with her grandmother is just a happy coincidence,” Pevaphio replied.

“I’m sure not everyone sees it that way, politicians being what they are, of course,” Adam rebuked.