Space Odyssey: Spectre

Joshua Romav had come a long way from just being a station governor on Oculus Station to a Governor of the Fairlight System in the Galactic Government. Although with the new status had come a variety of annoyances. He was fortunate he had a capable private militia. Although that appeared to be not the case for all of the systems.

"Less than an hour ago my entire militia was slaughtered by an unknown enemy." Governor Meltan Basic declared. He seemed too nervous about his militia being slaughtered. Especially since the militia was not in the London System that he ruled over.

"Governor Basic," The speaker addressed him from his central podium in the middle of the massive stadium that served as the official political council chambers. "Your urgency at calling this emergency meeting is not something that matches your demeanor. Why are we here?"

"I believe the Cerberus Unit is responsible. We can not let those former mutts of the Vexical and then the Victorium remain without a leash. We need to bring them to heal and-"

"Governor Basic, why was your militia in the Lesen System?" Joshua asked. Causing all eyes to turn in his direction. He was located up and at the back of the room. Among many of the systems that are loyal to their people rather than an idea or other objective. "The London System is not located far enough from the border to warrant them to be away."

Governor Basic’s face screwed up in confusion and anger before it disappeared. Joshua had not been successful by being a fool. He had information networks that worked far and wide. So he knew a variety of information that he was confident that not even the rest of these people were aware of. Like the fact that Jace was currently away from the Underworld System.

"Lesen System is kitinol space. It is forbidden to travel there without prior approval by the military council. Governor Basic, is what Governor Romav says true?" The speaker asked as he leaned forward. "In addition, what makes you suspect the Cerberus Unit?"

"Speaker, there is no proof that-"

Bang!

The door to the chambers swung open. Then someone walked in that Joshua did not expect. Astella, Joshua’s wife and reluctant militia leader of the Fairlight System. She had risen in status as well. She had been sequestered to strategy and political affairs with her husband while their daughter took over the battlefield and command of troops. Including commanding the Red Sanix.

"Who dares?" The speaker asked. But Astella looked around before spotting Joshua and walking straight towards him and standing behind him while the guards at the door closed it once again. "Governor Romav?"

Joshua looked at his wife with an expression that clearly asked ’what are you doing?’ But the woman just smiled at him and then stood straight. Joshua looked at the speaker and shrugged. Just as confused. "I think we should get back to the matter at hand?" Joshua suggested as he turned back to the room.

"Agreed-" The speaker leaned back in his chair.

Boom!

The roof exploded as the politicians screamed in shock. But Joshua was shielded from the dust and debris along with nearby politicians by a personal radial shield that Astella brought in with her. He looked over at her and saw her smiling.

He then turned back to see as several ropes dropped through the ceiling and several soldiers of varying races dropped through the roof in black tactical full-body armor. Leading them in was a man in simple black combat clothes. Who carried a bag in one hand and had only a basic pistol in the other one.

"Target sighted." One of them spoke and grabbed Governor Basic and threw him to the ground in the center of the room with their rifle aimed at the back of his head. The rest of the operatives quickly moved through the room and grabbed several other Governors. Specifically, Edel Jessen, Jack Kiln, Edrich Jewels, and Lane Golto.

Joshua looked back at Astella, "you could have told me? I nearly had a heart attack."

"Oh, it is good for your heart to have a good scare. Besides, it is payback for dragging me into the annoying world of politics." Astella answered and then looked down at where the man was standing. "Besides, I wanted to see him. It has been so long since I saw him on the Princess’ Pride after all."

Joshua looked down and saw the man that was the cause of this madness. Commander Jace Wintry, he finally took his wife’s name. Although Joshua was a bit annoyed when he learned the man was married and still went and tainted his little girl. "He looks pissed, I am guessing he did destroy Governor Basic’s militia. But I have a feeling that Meltan had it coming. Do we know what he did?"

"Nope, in fact, I only knew he was in the system because Crimson spotted the Lance of Thantos’ signal just beyond the system for a moment before it disappeared. That is some next level stealth tech that Cerberus has. I would love to get my hands on some of that." Astella explained.

"Commander Jace, since you are not killing indiscriminately. I can assume this is not a coup. So what is the meaning of this... interruption?" The speaker asked. Completely ignoring the blood from some of the shrapnel that gave them a shallow cut over their eyes.

"I apologize Speaker of the Governor’s Council," Jace bowed mockingly before looking around the room. "But it appears some of your governors have not realized their place. I will take care of business and be out of your hair quickly."

"Commander Jace, if you have an issue with a governor or anyone else there is proper process. There is no need to blow the roof off the council chamber." The speaker pointed out as he looked at the main door to find it was blocked by one of the soldiers holding it closed.

"I could say the same of the governors. They could have gone through the proper process and be ignored. Instead they decided to work with the Xenar remnant and attempted to steal not only Cerberus property but also had planned to kidnap and experiment on members of my family." Jace declared.

"What evidence do you have?" The speaker demanded.

Jace tossed the bag he was holding and it unraveled as heads rolled out of it. There was a commotion as the nearest to the speaker began to yell and scream in a panic. "Well that is going to both earn him friends and enemies." Joshua mumbled.

"Oh? I thought he would only anger people." Astella chuckled. "How will dumping heads on the ground make him allies?"

"Not among the human governors. But that kind of frontal and honest behavior is going to earn him admirers among the non-human species. That paired with the following he already has. Well, let’s just say that Jace has made himself a popular figure among the civilian population." Joshua explained.

"That should be enough. It was for me." Jace answered as the soldiers finished bringing over the last of the politicians. "These five thought it would be a good idea to interfere with Cerberus’ operations. Which unfortunately only delays things. So you can welcome them for the delay."

Governor Basic stood up after shrugging off the soldier that was behind him. "Don’t believe-"

Bang!

Jace blew his head off with a pistol. Blood and brains scattered over the others. The governors that had been dragged out were squealing and tripping over themselves to get away.

Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!

Several of the soldiers fired simultaneously and killed the governors. But it was less bloody thanks to the fact that they were using lasers. "Damnit! Commander, you covered me in brains!" The soldier covered in Governor Basic’s brains and blood complained.

"Yeah, well we are just about done here." Jace told them and pointed at the rope. The soldiers moved to the rope and used a device to repel back up to the ship as Jace turned his attention to the speaker who flinched and then the rest of the governors. "If I have to come back here, I will head to destroy planets as well as execute the governors responsible."

"Commander Jace-!" The speaker started.

"Speaker!" Joshua spoke up and grabbed attention from all of them. "Instead of interfering here, why don’t we investigate. With Commander Jace’s speedy reaction, I am more than positive that Governor Basic and his allies would have failed to cover up all evidence of their wrong doing. If there is nothing, we have a place for complaint, but until then it is going to be like we are just talking to a wall."

"Governor Romav is right." Another of the governors stood up as he was nursing a wound. "Instead of causing a ruckus we should investigate Commander Jace’s claims first. I suggest we set up a temporary investigative council." Jace disappeared back through the roof.