Rowena was about to answer when her uniband suddenly notified her that she had just received a message.
After looking at the message, she grinned before saying, “It seems the people on Xer-verse were right, Malgath just messaged me.”
[[Message received from Malgath Morthil Mirawenys: If possible I would like you to ask Diva Lorelie if she will participate in another call-in on The MMM Show.]]
[[Sent Message: Curious about her date are you?]]
[[Message received from Malgath Morthil Mirawenys: So she really is on a date?]]
[[Sent message: I wouldn’t know, but that’s what those on Xer-verse are saying.]]
[[Message received from Malgath Morthil Mirawenys: Come now, we both know you two are friends. You know what’s really going on between Dova Lorelie and that mystery man, don’t you?]]
[[Sent Message: Perhaps, but it’s not my place to say.]]
[[Message received from Malgath Morthil Mirawenys: Fine, but will you at least pass on my request.]]
[[Sent message: I might if you promise me three things.]]
[[Message received from Malgath Morthil Mirawenys: What things?]]
[[Sent Message: First is that when Lorelie’s tour reaches Galamedees Galaxy, you allow her to perform live on The MMM Show.]
[[Message received from Malgath Morthil Mirawenys: Deal.]]
[[Sent Message: Second. You use your wife Ulesse Solar’s position as 3rd princess to help arrange Lorelie the best venues.]]
[[Message received from Malgath Morthil Mirawenys: I will naturally have to discuss this with Ulesse, however I don’t see that being a problem since she’s a fan of Diva Lorelie and loves her new music.]]
[[Sent Message: Finally, I want your word that you won’t allow your bias towards the Terrans to influence your attitude toward the ‘mystery man’ as you put it.]
[[Message received from Malgath Morthil Mirawenys: Are you saying Diva Lorelie’s date is a Terran?]]
[[Sent Message: First, once again, I am not clarifying that she is on a date. Second, the man she is watching the Water Sphere match with does indeed look Terran; however, he is not a Terran.]]
[[Message received from Malgath Morthil Mirawenys: Hmmm. It’s true that from what I saw on the sportscast, the man did look Terran. However, the cameras were more focused on Diva Lorelie, so it was impossible to get a clear look at him.]]
[[Message received from Malgath Morthil Mirawenys: How do you know he is not really Terran and just pretending?]]
[[Sent Message: I have smelt his blood. As you know, my former husband was Terran, so I know what their blood smells like, and his is definitely not Terran.]]
[[Message received from Malgath Morthil Mirawenys: How interesting, if he’s not Terran then what race or species is he?]]
[[Message Sent: I suppose I can tell you that much. His race is called Earthling, and he is from outside the known universe.]]
[[Message received from Malgath Morthil Mirawenys: Really? That hardly ever happens. Is the Universal Senate going to get a new member soon then?]]
[[Sent Message: Unlikely. His planet is from far outside the known universe. It took him nearly 2 years of subspace travel to get from his planet to the Sandanar Galaxy.]]
[[Message received from Malgath Morthil Mirawenys: 2 years? That means his planet is way out there. How did he even know where to travel in subspace?]]
[[Sent Message: That is not my story to tell. If you want to know, you will have to ask him. Now do I have your word.]]
[[Message received from Malgath Morthil Mirawenys: You do.]]
[[Message Sent: Good. Let me know about what Ulesse says, and do pass my regards on to her. I will let you know Lorelie’s decision.]]
Rowena looked up from her unibands holographic screen as she finished messaging Malgath to find the other three looking at her.
“Well?” Erkath asked curiously.
“It’s as the Xer-verse trolls predicted. He wants Lorelie to perform a call-in to The MMM Show.” Rowena answered.
“No doubt to ask her about Adam and what their relationship really is,” Erkath replied.
“Indeed.” Rowena replied before looking at Stacey and saying, “It might be wise to have that conversation with Lorelie before she decides about this call in.”
“Mmm,” Stacey mumbled in agreement as she nodded with a thoughtful expression.
“Is there something I can do for you, Director Drot?” A Catonian asked from a holographic screen that was before Director Drot.
“Yes, you can explain to me how your Noir Family fucked up so badly and why it’s all over Xer-verse.”
“Excuse me?” The Catonian asked in a confused tone.
“Do you not even know?” Drot asked in surprise before continuing.
“The three members of your family you sent to steal the ship I wanted are dead.”
“Impossible.” The Catonian replied while frowning.
“Is it?” Then why is there a video of it on Xer-verse? One of your people even had their spine ripped out. I didn’t even know such a thing was possible.“ Director Drot replied as he sent a link to the video.
The Catonian showed a look of mild surprise as he watched the video before saying in a tone that suggested he cared little about the dead Noir Family members.
“How unexpected, though it is not entirely our fault. You failed to inform us that someone would remain aboard the ship.”
“Don’t try to pin this on me; you assured me that those three would get the job done.” Director Drot replied angrily.
“Well, you failed to inform us that the ship would have a guard capable of such high-level combat skills.
We can only advise you on what we believe is suitable for the job if you tell us all the details. Also, you were only willing to pay an amount that would cover the services of members of the family placed in ranks eleven, sixteen and eighteen, none of which were capable of high-level combat.
As the saying goes, "you get what you pay for.”
“I’m sorry, Director Drot, but that won’t be possible. You failed to inform us of all the necessary details prior to the job, which resulted in the family losing three members.
Your lack of providing the necessary information breaches the terms and conditions of the agreement, resulting in you not being liable for a refund and also making the agreement null and void.
If, however, you wish us to try again, we would be happy to do so if you pay the amount we specify ‘after’ you give us ‘all’ required information.”
“You want me to pay again for the same job that you failed? No, actually wait, you want me to pay ‘more’ for it?”
“I remind you that we only failed because you failed to provide us with information regarding the ship having a guard.”
“I was unaware of that.”
“Then perhaps you would be better off taking one of our packages that covers unforeseen developments?”
“Are you kidding me? Even the cheapest of those packages costs ten times as much.”
“That is correct, however, they also come with a guarantee that we will complete the job or you money back.”
“Fine, what sort of a deal can you do me?”
“Well, considering that the ship's guard appears to be someone who specialises in speed but doesn’t use ranged weapons, it won’t be too expensive. You're looking at needing a family member of at least rank five.”
“Rank five?” Director Drot asked in surprise as he could imagine how expensive that would be.
“Luckily for you, one of those killed in the recent attempt was the brother of a rank four, and they may be interested in taking the job at a reduced price because of this.”
“If they agree, then I accept the deal. Contact me when it’s confirmed.” Director Drot replied before ending the holocall.
“Damn fucking money-grubbing bastards.”
“Mother, why are you suddenly calling me?” Tessa asked as a holographic screen of Victoria appeared before her in her and Becky’s cabin.
“Am I not allowed to check up on my darling daughter?” Victoria asked.
“The Imperial Down only launched a few hours ago, everyone here is wondering why our shore leave was suddenly cancelled, and we were given a special assignment.”
“We explained this to you before you left. I know you wanted the family to stay out of your career in the TISF; however, the homeworld isn’t safe right now. The unrest has already started, and the Universal Senate only officially announced the details of the trade embargo yesterday.”
“I understand that, mother, so why are you calling? We were in the middle of watching Adam’s stream.” Tessa replied as she shot a look at the holographic screen above Becky’s uniband.
“Oh, what is happening in his stream this time?” Victoria asked with interest.
Tessa was silent for a moment before she sighed and said, “He’s on a date with Diva Lorelie.”
“Excuse me?” Victoria asked in surprise.
“You heard me.” Tessa said before she went on to explain the contents of Adam’s stream regarding his ‘date’ with Lorelie and the three members of the Noir Familles' attempt at stealing Spector.