Space Odyssey: Spectre

Jace watched as the last of the guards was tied up. He then nodded, "you are good to let it recharge now." Jace told Nila, who then proceeded to appear sitting at the end of the table and was swinging her feet like a little kid.

"It… it is only you two?" Prince Trajan asked in surprise.

"Yes," Jace answered with a nod of his head. "I apologize but I was bluffing before. A necessary precaution so we would not have to waste ammunition on them."

"That one is not human." Head Maid Rook pointed out with a nod of her head toward Nila.

"No she is an accer, one of the many races within the Victorium." Jace answered he then looked at the head maid, "now-" he stopped mid-sentence as he began getting pinged for a request to communicate from the Guardian-01. He waved at Nila and stepped away. "This is Jace, what is it?"

"Crystoph Federation ships have appeared in orbit. The ships in orbit around Vexical Prime are now fighting amongst themselves. In addition it appears that our ships are only an hour out. It will not be long before all hell breaks loose in orbit." Asana explained, "Not to mention it sounds like the prince is already preparing the fight on the ground. Orders are being made to surround several locations including the Emperor's Palace, the Princess' Palace, and the location you are currently located."

"Hmm… keep me apprised. We have the prince and will begin heading up to the roof immediately." Jace informed them and turned back to the prince and head maid who Nila had gone closer to and began talking with.

"Actually, we got word from Director Fenrir. She has new orders for us. Cerberus Squad is to extract as many allies from the tower and send the evacuation signal." Asana explained to him. "In addition she is bringing our new tenth member with her. She said she wanted it to be a surprise. But we are to all meet with her on the new warship, The Elysium."

Jace rolled his eyes, "understood. I will not run off. Was that all?"

"Affirmative," Asana answered and then ended the communication channel.

Jace turned back and walked toward the Prince, head maid, and Nila. "-we are a mixed unit from both the Vexical Military and the Victorium. Actually if you are that curious about the Victorium-" Nila stopped as Jace approached.

"Change of plans. Head Maid Rook, pick ten of your most trusted maids to come with us. Then send the evacuation signal for the building and all nearby areas." Jace pulled out his Pyre and checked it again. "Nila check our route to the roof."

"I thought only the prince was being evacuated." Head Maid Rook asked in surprise as she pulled over one of the maids and began whispering in her ear. He could hear her give orders for ten specific maids. She then raised her sleeve to reveal a metal bracer with a few buttons and electronic components.

"Director Fenrir changed the plan. We are taking you and ten maids off planet along with the prince while everyone else evacuates the area. This planet is about to become a battleground within the hour." Jace informed her.

"Is this because of me?" Prince Trajan asked. "Because I can surrender if it is."

Jace chuckled at the prince's honest and self sacrificing nature, "No it is not. Prince Trajan, this battle has been a long time coming. You are in no way responsible for this." He patted the prince's head and could hear the Head Maid growl at him.

Jace then leaned down and picked up the prince. "You want me to carry you like a princess or do you want to ride on my back."

The prince blushed, "I would prefer to ride on your back."

Jace obliged the prince and let him climb onto his back. Jace then led the way that Nila went. The maids and head maid took up positions around him. "Spectre Jace, it is disrespectful to so openly touch the prince. I will remind you to ask permission in the future."

"I do not mean disrespect. But I will only show respect to those who earn it. The young prince may be young but I am sure he will do so in the future. So for the time being I will treat him the same as I would most kids. Like a kid." Jace informed the head maid who growled at him again.

"Umm… I am sorry I forgot your title… and your name." Prince Trajan was clearly blushing again and Jace did not even have to see his face.

"It is Spectre Jace. Spectre is my title and Jace is my name. You can just call me Jace." Jace informed the prince as he got a message from Nila. She was telling him about the clear routes and the routes with possible enemies. Jace discretely adjusted their course.

"Um, Jace. You can just call me Trajan." Prince Trajan told Jace a little too excitedly.

"Your highness he must not-"

"Sure Trajan, was there something you needed?" Jace asked as he cut off the head maid. It was getting to be enjoyable to cut her off from speaking and making her angry.

Jace could feel the prince nervously shift on his back. "I was wondering about the metal your armor is made of." He seemed strangely more composed as he spoke. "It is not a hybrid metal or one of the Hellion Corporation's many metals. What is it?"

Jace blinked in surprise. "Huh?"

It seemed the head maid decided to proudly explain. "Prince Trajan has taken a great interest in being an armor forger." An armor forger was an ancient description of a person that made armor from before the Grand Hexarian Empire. They did everything from study metallurgy to create materials for armor. Now, most people making Infantry armor were researchers and scientists. "He already has many theories and plans to test metals and chemicals for armors." Head Maid Rook then seemed to think of something. "Prince, your research-"

Prince Trajan held up a datachip. "I have it. I keep it on me at all times of the day now."

Jace smirked under his helmet. "You are right, it is not a metal known to most people. It is a transformative metal. There is not actually a name for it. But I will hold off until after this battle to discuss it if you do not mind."

Jace could feel Prince Trajan relax on his back. "Then can you tell me a bit about its effects?"