"I am tired." Jace answered honestly as he was being glared at by the other occupants in the room. Across from him is a Woltar General that was growling. As well as the Captain of the Inquisitor Ship, Judas. Then there was the head inquisitor from the Judas.

    On his side of the table there was Vana sitting across from the General. While Captain Hammers sat across from the captain of the Judas. They arrived this morning at the same time. The General and his ship had come when Vana had failed to check in with them. They encountered the Judas and came here together to the approximate area where we were located.

    Then the Anvil reached out to them to notify them of their position. But they have refused to reveal anything else about who they were to the Inquisitors or what they were doing here. As far as the General was aware they were out here destroying an asteroid. At least that is the ''official'' story that he was told about.

    "Agent Vana, I was informed that you were attached to this unit and that they were out here destroying an asteroid. But that was it. So tell me what is actually going on and why your communications to the Nymph Headquarters stopped." The General asked with a frown.

    Vana sighed and shrugged, "at the moment? I have no clue. But the entire ship is on communications lockdown for a few more days." It was true, in order to maintain secrecy they had refrained from allowing Vana to even roam the ship let alone contact her bosses.

    The Inquisitor frowned at Vana''s words and glared at Jace. "I understand this Woltar Agent and Captain Hammers being at this meeting. A meeting where the upper management of your ship has been called into question regarding your presence and what you are doing out here. But this is clearly not the Captain''s second in command. So what is he doing here?" He pointed at Jace.

    Jace smirked and shrugged, "then ignore me and get on with the meeting. I need some sleep so I will just stay here and take a nap." Jace then leaned back and closed his eyes.

    Captain Hammers sighed loudly while the captain of the Judas glared at Jace. Hammers then patted Jace''s shoulder, "no can do. Technically, Spectre Jace here is the reason we are in a state of standstill while also being on communication lockdown."

    "Spectre? What the hell is a Spectre?" The Judas captain asked.

    "It is a new rank outside of the normal military and Inquisitor rankings. As far as anyone is concerned the only ones that can give a Spectre an order is another Spectre, the Emperor, or the Director." Jace explained with a shrug. The captain of the Judas'' eyes widened in surprise for a moment before he stood up and saluted. The Inquisitor did not do the same, Jace opened one eye and waved his hand in a shooing motion. "You are fine. Sit and relax."

    "I doubt the validity of your statement considering your youth." The Inquisitor told them in suspicion. He then looked over at the captain, "if you are trying to pull one of over on us I will charge with treason for falsifying yourself as ''intelligence officers'' and then-"

    "I am sorry, I believe you are misunderstanding." Jace interrupted and then took a long sigh. "The rank of Spectre is not so easily handed out that a person can climb the ranks to achieve it. Nor is it one you can buy or get through normal means. Spectres are appointed by the nano system." That was the truth but he disguised it as being picked when it was really the system offering the opportunity with the people training endlessly to step onto the path of being a Spectre. Sёarch* The N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

    "What do you mean-" The Inquisitor was bewildered completely and was about to ask more questions when a subordinate of Captain Hammers ran in. He whispered in Hammers ear but Jace smirked as he heard the subordinate''s words.

    Hammers looked at Jace and he nodded in response. Hammers then looked at the rest. "I apologize but it appears we have to go down to the hangar to welcome a new guest. If you will join me…" Hammers stood from his seat and Jace joined him with Vana hesitantly following suit.

    The others across the table slowly stood up and followed them as they walked out the room. They walked further behind Hammers, Jace, and Vana. Hammers led the way. Vana walked up next to Jace and whispered to him.

    "Why are we going? Actually, more importantly who arrived? You have been in the asteroid up until now and Hammers had me basically confined to my guest quarters. It was definitely not what was promised." Vana told Jace with a frown.

    Jace smileed at her. "Yeah, I apologize I was following orders. Fortunately that no longer matters. But chances are, we will be heading to our next destination before the end of the day." Jace told her honestly.

    "That did not answer my questions." Vana glared at him while making a pouting face.

    Jace chuckled and nudged her shoulder. "Come on, use the context clues. I provided enough that you should be able to figure out the answer to both of those questions, not to mention the answer is the same for both questions." He was intentionally teasing her to kill time.

    "Haa…" Vana took a deep breath of air. "You said ''following orders'' and that it ''no longer matters''. So someone who has the ability to order you around has arrived. But their presence and arrival demands your command staff and any other people of note to welcome them. Which is why you are bringing your guests."

    "Good so far." Jace nodded in appreciation as he watched her out of the corner of his eye.

    "Then you said there are only three categories of people that can order you around: other Spectres, or some Director, or the Emperor." Vana''s words began catching the attention of the three behind them. "But the only ones that would have courtesy demand bring your guests is royalty or high nobility. So my first guess would be the Emperor himself."

    Jace made an annoying noise then said, "wrong."

    "I figured." Vana nodded as she took in another breath of air. "Then that means it is either the Director or one of the Spectres but they have the status of being high nobility or royalty."

    "Bah! She copped out!" Hammers chuckled from ahead of them, getting a glare in the back of the head from Vana.

    They walked into the hangar. It was a quick walk from the meeting room they were at since it was just down the hall. As they entered they were welcomed by the site of an armored transport vessel landing.

    "What Spectre Jace failed to inform you of the organization method of the Spectre''s themselves. Because you can''t have them making competing orders. They are organized by strength, and Jace there is the strongest. Therefore…" Hammers quietly chuckled as he waved one of his hands to make his point as the ramp of the vessel lowered. "Well you get the picture."

    The Inquisitor looked at Jace with suspicion. While the Woltar General and Vana looked at him with respect. The captain of the Judas was looking at him more with surprise. All because, what Captain Hammers had just implied was that Jace was the third highest ranking member in both the Vexical Military and possibly the government.

    "While that is not exactly right it is not completely wrong. Spectres are special units that can be ordered to operate under lower ranks themselves. Such as having him work with Captain Hammers on their current assignment." Director Fenrir walked down the still lowering ramp jumping off and walking up to them. "The plan was just to hand off your orders while I took control here but I saw someone both unneeded and unwanted appeared."

    Captain Hammers chuckled and slightly bowed. Jace shrugged while lazily saluting. The captain of the Judas immediately kneeled and bowed his head. While the Woltar General gave a deep bow while chuckling as his expression changed to one of amusement. The Inquisitor gritted as well and kneeled while bowing his head. But Jace could hear the grinding of teeth. Vana on the other hand was completely confused how to react.

    "Your esteemed and most glorious majesty, Consort-" Hammers began introducing the Director.

    But Jace interrupted, "yeah yeah yeah. Can we move on? Boss Lady does not care at all about long introductions. Do you want me to stay and help you deal with these three or can I get my orders and go?" Jace asked while the Woltar General sent a glare his way.

    Director Fenrir smiled, "gladly. Fortunately it also has your punishment in there as well." She walked up and handed him a black folder she was carrying. She then crossed her arms and stared at him, clearly waiting for his reaction.

    Jace frowned and looked down at the pages in the folder when he opened it. His face instantly morphed into one of disgust and annoyance. "What? Why? Please-"

    "Nope. That is your punishment and also your next mission. We want to take a more political approach. Just make sure that she-" Director Fenrir pointed at Vana. "-does not leave the ship."

    "Haa… understood." Jace sighed as he read the files and looked at the two tickets. "Do you have the labyrinth?"

    "Yeah, you can call them back." Director Fenrir answered as she walked over to the Woltar General. "General, it is a pleasure to see you again. How long has it been?"

    The Woltar General stood up and shook Director Fenrir''s hand. "It has been too many years, Princess Fenrir."

    Jace began walking away and tapped his watch which connected to the communication channel. "Come on back to the ship and get some rest. Nina, meet me in the briefing room."