Chapter 300: New Species
"Simple." The Emperor chuckled as he shrugged, "pulling the empire from the depraved hands my father had put them in had been a life long work. But I turned around just to see my son trying to do the same. So when the Victorium came along, I put into effect a plan I had been working on with Fenrir for years."
Jace listened partially as he received a message from General Isaiah. "Spectre Jace, I am getting multiple readings. It looks like some of the supposed trade vessels are carrying high level ordinance and are moving them into tactical positions near our ship to disable us."
"Is it enough to get through the shielding?" Jace asked as he muted his speaker so the others in the room could not hear him. It sounded like the emperor was diving into the deal he had already worked out with the Victorium.
"Possibly, we do not know for certain because there is too much interference from the station itself." General Isaiah explained. "But at the moment our tactical shielding is not up. Should we put it up?"
"Affirmative. Deploy a troop to secure the docks as well. It is seeming less like an assassination attempt and more like they are trying for a politically powered coup. They will probably use our aggressiveness as a reason. But that is for the politicians to deal with. We have permission to defend ourselves." Jace reasoned as he subtly sent a message to his squad and the other Venture soldiers that were on the protective detail around the perimeter of the building. Informing them to be on guard since the likelihood of an attack was high.
"I will do that. Has the High Priestess been informed?" General Isaiah asked.
Jace took a moment to send Nila a message to have her inform the High Priestess of the situation. "She has now, I will give updated orders as they arrive." Jace informed him as he looked over as the High Priestess reacted as Nila leaned down and whispered in her ear. Fortunately neither the Emperor or the Princess could hear what they were saying.
After a moment the High Priestess leaned back in her chair and Nila leaned down to hear what she said in response. Then she focused on the father and daughter pair across from her who were finishing up their conversation.
"Okay, I think we might need to change a few things if you would be open to it. But for the most part this looks fine." The Princess responded as she gave one last look over the document.
"If it is regarding the trade and government sided things then those can be bargained with the government council when you join them. They handle trade and the handling of government resources." The High Priestess explained, "all I really need is the confirmation regarding the military side of the contract. There are only a few things on the government side that are set in stone."
"I can see that-"
"Hold on!" Benze jumped in, apparently the situation had finally gotten to be too much for him to hold back. "Princess you cannot be considering just jumping right into an agreement with these savages are you?"
"Benze? What do you think you are doing?" Princess Phila asked as she looked over at the man who was slowly becoming red in the face. "This is not something you can just disregard. We do not have the manpower or resources to continue to protect the two systems we have control of."
Benze seemed to have finally met his limit as he took a deep breath and shook his head before looking at Astella. "How about you, Astella? You know that there is less profit to be had from siding with the Victorium."
Astella raised an eyebrow, "side with a bunch of money grubber mercenaries or side with the most dangerous species in existence? Sorry but I am siding with them. Just like the last time you made this offer." Astella answered with her hand slowly moving to the side arm she had on her hip.
Benze began laughing hysterically while he ran one hand through his hair as another hand moved discretely to a spot behind his jacket on his back. "These alien scum are not the most dangerous species in existence. Or are you really that cowardly to believe those stories of them eating humans alive?" He was clearly buying time but Astella was as well.
"Actually I was not talking about the various Victorium species." Astella then looked past Benze. Benze spun around drawing the heavy duty revolver he had hidden up until this moment. But Jace caught his wrist as he fired.
BANG! Ting!
The bullet ricocheted off his helmet, triggering his yellow hexagonal shielding but not breaking through it. Jace’s other hand stabbed his recently retrieved knife through Benze’s chest. "I was talking about the Vexical’s new Spectre species. A species literally made for war." Astella finished her explanation as her hand pulled a communication device out of the pocket where she had her gun. "Hey, the Free Trade Troupe and their compatriots are making their move. Assist the Victorium troops where you-" She stopped as she heard something, "okay, just assist them where you can." She then hung up and turned to Jace. "You already saw the betrayal coming?"
Jace shrugged as he twisted the knife in his chest killing the man before he threw him through the double doors and out over a ledge into the lobby. He stepped out and looked between Ulin and Uti. "Deal with the traitors. We will keep the VIPs safe." They nodded in response as he closed the doors again and looked to the others while he held the revolver in his hand. He finally had another to replace the one that Vana had stolen.
"Were you expecting me the whole time or...?" Jace asked toward Astella.
Astella shook her head, "no. I honestly figured we would struggle with whoever would show up as her protection detail. My people know better than to piss you off." She responded with a chuckle as he magnetically attached the revolver to his back while he pulled his rifle out again.