S.P.E.C.T.O.R

“I will have Spector remain cloaked while flying low to the surface before I deploy on the hoverbike,” Adam stated.

“Makes sense,” Aphrodite replied before adding, “A smaller target is harder to notice.”

“Why not just fly Spector right up to their residence, if she's cloaked?” Tephe asked.

“Because of this,” Adam replied as he pointed at a section of the holographic screen showing the sensor scan of Flamyre.

The part he pointed to seemed to be some kind of tight-knit red web that covered the main central dome.

“What's that?” Emma asked as Rowena used the command console to zoom in on the large central dome.

“No fucking way, a cloaked ship detection grid,” Aphrodite cursed in surprise before asking, “how the fuck did she get her hands on one of those?”

Seeing Emma's confusion, Rowena explained. “As you know, Spector is capable of cloaking; however, Spector is not the only ship that can do that.

Cloaked ship detection grids were invented to detect cloaked ships exactly as the name implies: to detect cloaked ships.

It works similarly to an infrared security net. Ships passing through the grid will naturally be forced to sever one or more of the energy beams. This will then alert security, who can inspect the ship and make sure it has clearance.

But what do you suppose security would think if they got an alert but no ship was visible and instead there was just a gap in the grid?”

“That a cloaked ship was passing through,” Emma replied in understanding.

“Exactly,” Rowena replied before continuing. “Although they are simple in design, they are expensive to produce because of the sheer size they need to be.

This one is only covering a small area on the moon's surface; those in space, however, sometimes need to be large enough to cover entire planets or regions of space.”

“I heard a few years ago that in their continued exploration of the universe, a S’ene ship came across a region of space that was surrounded by a cloaked ship detection grid. It’s supposed to be almost as large as an entire sector,” Lorelie remarked.

“That’s true; there was a USNN news article about it,” Rowena replied before continuing, “Because the S’ene didn’t want to cross the detection grid in case of appearing rude or hostile, they sent out communications of greetings. In the end, the only response they got was a text-based reply telling them to stay out.

Since then, the Universal Senate has flagged that area of space as off-limits while they continue to attempt to establish dialogue with whatever race lives inside the grid.”

“So Spector can’t approach the target's location while cloaked because of this grid thingy?” Tephe asked.

“That’s correct,” Adam replied before continuing, “The cloaked ship detection grid is covering the main dome, which is also where Spector is detecting the majority of life-signs from.”

“Majority of life-signs?” Stacey asked.

“It is reasonable to assume that someone who can own their own moon is rich enough to employ servants and security personnel,” Adam replied before continuing.

“If all we wanted to do was kill this bitch, I would just nuke her from orbit, but we want to try and gain information on the secret organisation she is part of.”

“Won’t the virus implanted on that capital ship get us this information in due time?” Tephe asked.

“Not necessarily; it would be foolish for them to store everything about their organisation on every console associated with them,” Rowena replied.

“So you plan to sneak in and have Spector hack into Fiere Lucent’s mainframe before interrogating her?” Aphrodite asked.

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“Pretty much,” Adam replied with a smile before heading for the med bay's door.

“Hey, wait,” Rowena called out, making Adam pause and look back at her with a questioning look.

“Don’t you think that this might be a good time to make us members of the crew?” Rowena asked with a frown.

“I suppose you're right. I have been meaning to do this for a while, but something always came up,” Adam replied before asking, “Spector?”

“Standing by to commence registration of new crew members. Would selected individuals please place their hands on the console?” Spector announced as the room's console lit up.

“So who gets to join?” Stacey asked.

“Me, me, me,” Tephe said excitedly while Aphrodite and Emma looked on expectantly.

“Hmm,” Adam responded before falling into thought for a moment, after which he said, “Rowena and Lorelie joining is obvious.

“Because we’re your lovers?” Rowena asked.

“Basically, plus I know I can leave Spector in your care when needed,” Adam replied, making both women smile.

“Emma is looking after our company and will be travelling with us, so she obviously needs access,” Adam continued, making Emma smile happily.

“Aphrodite showed her capability during our last fight and it’s easier to just give her crew member status than bestow temporary status on her each time,” Adam explained.

“I don’t know whether to be happy or sad,” Aphrodite replied.

“As for Tephe, I’m sure you only want to join because it sounds fun, right?” Adam asked while looking at Tephe.

“Yup,” Tephe admitted before adding, “I want to try piloting the ship and shooting the weapons.”

“I would like to remind you that I am not a toy and am instead a highly advanced piece of military equipment,” Spector suddenly announced.

“My bad, Spector, I didn’t mean it in that way,” Tephe said apologetically.

“It’s fine, but please remember this in the future when you suddenly get bored and decide you want to play with me,” Spector replied.

Adam shook his head with an amused smile before picking up the console and carrying it over to Lorelie while asking, “Want to go first?”

Lorelie smiled and nodded before placing her hand against the console.

“Captain, please designate crew member Lorelie’s access level.”

“Level five, the same as Stacey,” Adam replied before explaining. “This will give you free access to Spector’s systems with a few exceptions.”

“Level five access granted, registration complete,” Spector announced.

“Thank you,” Lorelie said happily, to which Adam just smiled before returning the console to where it belonged.

“Rowena?” Adam asked as he turned to her.

“About time,” Rowena teased before approaching the console and resting her hand against it.

“Captain, please designate crew member Rowena Nosferatu’s access level.”

“Level six,” Adam replied, surprising Rowena and the others.

“Level six access granted, registration complete.”

“Level six?” Rowena asked in surprise.

“Hey! Why does grandmother get a higher rank than me?” Stacey asked with a pout.

“Because she’s your grandmother,” Adam replied before explaining. “Other than Aphrodite, Rowena is the most experienced one among us and also the most sensible. I feel she is the most suitable to be left in charge of Spector when I’m not here.”

“Aww, I didn’t realise you had such trust in me, darling,” Rowena said playfully.

“Hmph, whatever,” Stacey pouted.

“Now, now, granddaughter, all you need to do to get a higher rank than me is prove that you're more mature,” Rowena said in a teasing tone.

“Alright, who's next?” Adam asked.

“Me, me,” Tephe said excitedly before hopping forward and pressing her hand against the console.

“Captain, please designate crew member Tephe's access level.”

“I should have guessed,” Adam said with a smile before saying, “Level three.”

“Level three access granted, registration complete.”

“Level three?” Tephe repeated before showing Adam a look of disappointment.

“Don’t give me that look,” Adam replied before stroking her hair as he added, “Once you prove that you wont go up to the bridge to fire the weapons because you are bored, I will increase your access level.”

“Kay,” Tephe said in a disappointed tone, but that didn’t stop her from enjoying Adam’s touch.

“Next,” Adam said as he took his hand away from Tephe’s hair.

“I guess it’s my turn,” Aphrodite remarked before stepping up to the console and pressing her hand against it.

“Captain, please designate crew member Aphrodite's access level.”

“Hmm, this one's not so easy to decide,” Adam began. “On one hand your still being tested, but on the other, you have proven your capability and trustworthiness by aiding us in the recent battle and similarly advising us to Rowena.”

“I would remind you that grandmother didn’t bring Tephe here to watch me sucking your cock and explain what I was doing,” Stacey remarked.

“We all have our expertise,” Aphrodite said with a shrug before adding, “Plus, I quite enjoyed it, I think I might enjoy being a teacher.”

“Then go get a job at Planaticia Acadimia,” Stacey stated.

“Do they even teach sex ed there?” Emma asked curiously.

“Sex ed?” Rowena asked curiously.

“It’s short for sexual education; it's a curriculum‑based, incremental and scientifically accurate approach that teaches children and young people about the cognitive, emotional, physical and social aspects of sexuality in a culturally-relevant and age-appropriate way,” Emma explained.

Adam smirked before saying, “Not sure what Aphrodite was teaching Tephe really counts as sex ed.”

“It’s not exactly sex ed; they teach at Planaticia Acadimia, as you call it. More along the lines of positions and techniques, as well as how to gain the greatest satisfaction out of sex for both you and your partner,” Aphrodite replied.

“I’m actually surprised they have such a subject there,” Adam remarked.

As Romy explained in your chat, Planaticia Acadimia does teach almost every known subject in the universe,” Aphrodite replied.