Chapter 784: Foolish daughter

The holographic image featured a single long central column stretching from top to bottom, while hundreds of adjacent columns of different lengths connected to it and stretched off in different directions around it. Around the very centre of the central column was a ring that circled the entire circumference.

“Looks more like a supply dock to me,” Revi remarked as they all inspected the holographic image. “So the different sections that branch off from the station? The smaller ones are crew quarters, offices, research labs, recreational facilities and the like, while the larger ones that reach further from the central column are where ships dock.”

[Empress Revi is correct. The main purpose of the station appears to be the refuelling and rearming of military vessels while also being able to carry out minor repairs.]

“And the ring at the centre?” Emma asked.

“Command and control most likely,” Revi answered.

“So it’s just a staging point for their operations in that sector?” Stacey asked with a sigh. “I was hoping we had found one of their space docks and that we could deal them a crippling blow.”

“While I agree that a space dock would have been a far bigger discovery, granddaughter. We can still deal them a painful blow and disrupt their efforts in that region of space if we destroy it.”

“How do we go about doing that? Inform the Terrans?” Tephe asked. “It was their ship that was attacked after all.”

“Terran space is too far; they would discover them before they even arrived,” Eri stated.

“Eri’s right. Maybe the Solarians? Tessa was on her way to Solarian Prime when it happened, after all,” Lorelie suggested.

“Ehh, I doubt the Solarians would take any action. Don’t forget that most Solarians still dislike the Terrans, even if Princess Liluth is openly engaging in talks with Princess Tessa,” Erkath replied. “Princess Liluth might be loved by her entire race, but she lacks the authority to command the Solarian military.”

“So what, another race in Sector Five then?” Muriel asked. “Maybe the Janari?”

“Hmm, although plausible, I doubt they would take any action,” Elemence replied.

“Seriously?” Stacey asked in disbelief. “A solar bomb was just used in a neighbouring galaxy; you’d think they’d be a bit more concerned.”

“I’m sure they are plenty concerned, but that’s also the problem,” Elemence explained. “We’re talking about a hitherto unknown organisation that has access to capital-class ships and solar bombs. Something not even the younger races have access to.

I’m sure the Jinari and other races off Sector Five would love to destroy this supply station along with any other discovered; however, they also don’t want to paint a target on their chests in case the organisation decides to retaliate.”

“Hmm, there is another option,” Adam suddenly said.

***

Lueat Galaxy, Darah Five.

The Nosferatu family owned a huge area of land on the Brood homeworld off Darah Five. Hundreds of smaller homes were clustered together on the edge of a lake, making what the residents referred to as Nosferatu Village. Several dozen larger homes and mansions were dotted around the rest of the land, with other lakes and forests separating them.

Within one of the biggest of these mansions, a young woman with the signature Brood blood-red hair and eyes walked swiftly through the halls until she reached a room that she entered without knocking.

“Father! Why have I suddenly been ordered to return? You know very well that finals are coming up and I need to study if I’m to place top in my year and become the next Planaticia Acadimia student council president.”

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“A student council president would understand the need to knock before entering someone’s office, Renne,” Asema Nosferatu, the head of the Nosferatu family, said with a sigh.

“Hmph,” Renne replied. “Just tell me why you instructed me to return.”

“To save your life,” Asema replied, causing Renne’s eyes to widen in surprise. “Your foolish actions have come back to bite you, my foolish daughter. Did you really believe you could get away with trying to kill Stacey?”

As Asema finished speaking, Renne gaped at her father before asking, “How?”

“How do I know? The Progenitor showed me everything,” Asema stated angrily. “What were you thinking? Do you really believe Rowena would be in the right frame of mind to show you more attention after losing her favourite granddaughter? It’s more likely she would be overcome with grief.

Not to mention that you tried to kill Stacey by stabbing her in the back, making it apparent that she had been assassinated. I hate to think what Rowena would have done to find her killer.”

“I’m sorry, Father. I was young and foolish?” Renne replied.

“Sorry for which part? That you got caught or that your plan was so foolish?”

Renne didn’t respond and just avoided eye contact.

“Regardless, your actions have made you, Merle and Tierney a powerful enemy. An enemy even the progenitor is wary of.”

“How could I have made an enemy of someone the progenitor is wary of?” Renne asked doubtfully. “Why would such a powerful individual care about some quarter-brood trash?”

“Because,” Asema said with a frown, "that quarter-brood trash, as you call her, is the girlfriend of said powerful individual. Along with Diva Lorelie.”

“Stacey is dating Diva Lorelie’s boyfriend?” Renne asked in shock.

“No,” Asema replied. “Diva Lorelie is dating Stacey’s boyfriend; there’s a difference.”

“How?” Renne asked in disbelief.

“I don’t know, and honestly it doesn’t matter. What does matter is the fact that he wants each of your heads and wields planetary annihilation weapons,” Asema replied coldly as his anger grew. “Do you even understand the danger your foolish actions have brought not only to our family but to our entire race?”

“Father… I… I…” Renne began before Asema cut her off.

“Enough, return to your room. You are not to leave the family estate until this matter is dealt with. Now leave, while I try to figure out a way to fix this that doesn’t involve your death.”

Renne nodded and hung her head as she left the room. However, as soon as the door was closed, her face turned ugly as she thought, {Damn that quarter-blood bitch, why didn’t she just do the useful thing and die back then?}

Renne accessed her uniband before sending a message to both Merle and Tierney.

***

“Ok, take a few minutes to rest,” Adam instructed before Revi stopped practising her kicks and he helped her stand up in the pool while holding her hands. Revi seized the opportunity to feign tiredness as she leaned against his chest.

“That was yummy, wasn’t it, Maiya,” Tephe said as she finished her drink, while Maiya gave a nod. Maiya had been interested in Tephe’s milkshake while they had been talking, and so Tephe let the little Levithen try some.

“Personally, I’m more of a banana girl myself,” Emma said with a smile before asking. “Can one of you girls do my back, please?”

“Do your back?” Erkath asked in confusion.

“Yeah, I can manage the rest myself, but I can’t reach my back,” Emma replied while holding up a bottle.

“I’m not following,” Erkath replied as she and the other women gave Emma confused looks.

“She wants you to put some sun cream on her back to protect her from the sun,” Adam explained. “Come to think of it, I never saw any of you use any sun cream back on Oceana Seven either.”

“Sun cream?” Lorelie asked in confusion.

“It’s used to protect the skin against harmful ultraviolet radiation,” Emma explained.

“Why would you need to protect your skin against that when we're so far from the sun?” Eri asked in confusion. “I could understand if you had to get closer to the sun, but we're just here relaxing.”

“It’s because their bodies haven’t evolved far enough yet,” Rowena explained. “It’s the same as last time when we were discussing how Earthlings' bodies have yet to evolve enough for space travel. That evolution includes strengthening the skin against things like radiation.”

“So you mean that you lot have never had to use any lotion to protect your skin?” Emma asked.

They all shook their heads while Lorelie said, “Not at this distance, no.”

“I’m so fucking jealous,” Emma cursed before looking at Adam hopefully and asking. “Do you think there's any upgrade available for my skin?”

“There is,” Adam nodded. “It’s one of the first upgrades I received after Spector found me.”

“So that’s why I didn’t see you put any sun cream on; I just thought your skin was naturally tougher than mine,” Emma replied. “Can I get this upgrade?”

“Sure, but it would mean a trip back up to Spector,” Adam answered.

“Nice, I’ll add it to my to-do list then,” Emma smiled.

“You mean along with to-do, Adam?” Aphrodite asked with a smirk, causing everyone to give her dead looks.

“Yeah ok, I admit that one was bad,” Aphrodite said sheepishly while Erkath shook her head before turning back to Emma and offering to help her with the sun cream.