"Why did you grant clearance to an unauthorised ship lieutenant, talk?" The female Terran admiral onboard the capital ship above Trillion asked a female Terran lieutenant who was locked in the brig.
"I don't know what you're talking about, ma'am. This is all a mistake." The lieutenant responded.
"A mistake? Really? Then explain to me why fewer than five ships were allowed past the blockade, and only the one YOU authorised fails to pass an in-depth security check."
"I don't know what you're talking about, ma'am."
"Do you really think you can bluff your way out of this? Your access code is all over the authorisation request. Ship security footage of your workstation shows you receiving a holocall just before data logs indicate that you accessed the Trillion blockade authorised ships file and added that ship.
None of your senior officers gave you orders to do this, and there is no digital record of you receiving any such orders. Now spill it, why did you add the ship?"
The female lieutenant was about to protest again when the brig doors opened and another officer walked in.
"What is it?" The Admiral asked in an annoyed tone.
"We have completed the search of the lieutenant's quarters and found this locked in a hidden compartment," The officer replied before holding up an evidence bag containing several bottles filled with black and green pills.
"Have you identified them?" The Admiral asked while taking the bag.
"Computer analysis confirms them to be the class-A drug known as Party Time."
"You've got to be fucking kidding me, Party Time of all things?" The Admiral asked in anger before turning to the lieutenant and waving the bag at her while saying angrily, "So you're not only a traitor but a drug addict?"
"Those, those aren't mine, ma'am." The lieutenant replied, though there was obvious fear in her eyes that she couldn't hide.
"DNA analysis of the bottles has the lieutenant's DNA all over them." The officer replied.
"TALK!" The Admiral yelled after finally losing her patience.
The lieutenant sighed before saying, "During shore leave a few months ago, I got drunk and tricked into trying Party Time. As I'm sure you know, it is a highly addictive drug that very few can give up after trying it. I, like many people, became addicted to the drug.
Unfortunately, someone managed to learn of this, whether by coincidence or because it was pre-planned, I don't know. They told me that if I didn't want my drug addiction exposed to the TISF, then I would have to complete a few easy tasks for them.
I didn't hear from them again for months and thought, or maybe hoped that they had forgotten about me, that is, until yesterday when I got a holocall from them telling me to add that ship to the Trillion blockade authorised ships file."
"That's all they wanted? Nothing more?" The admiral asked.
"No ma'am, nothing more?"
"What can you tell me about them?"
"Nothing, I never saw their face as they communicated with a black holographic screen and also distorted their voice."
"Did they give you anything? Like a means to contact them?"
"No ma'am, they only ever contacted me."
"Why didn't you come forward after you had been tricked? The TISF would have assisted you in breaking the drug addiction by providing you with medical care."
"You must have read my background after you put me in here, ma'am. You know I come from a military family. Just the mention of drugs is taboo to them. Once they learned of this, I would be kicked out of the family, and they would have nothing to do with me ever again."
"Imagine how they will react when they learn you're a drug addict and a traitor. You wont only be kicked out of your family for being a drug addict, but you're also going to lose your life for being a traitor. I'm sure they will be so proud," The Admiral said coldly before turning and leaving the brig alongside the other officer.
The lieutenant slumped in the brig before bursting into tears as she knew her life was over.
💫💫💫
"These are some great seats," Tephe said happily as she, Stacey, Rowena, Erkath and Jacques took their seats in the VIP area.
"Indeed, though I suppose it's not surprising considering the royal family will be in attendance," Rowena commented as her eyes scanned over the massive crowd that was forming below.
"I thought I would find you here, little hatchling." Senator Pevaphio said as she entered the VIP area and swam towards Tephe before taking the seat next to her.
"Hi mum," Tephe said with a smile.
"You didn't come with the royal family?" Erkath asked curiously.
"Nah, they are currently greeting their subjects outside but should arrive in a few minutes," Pevaphio replied.
"I wonder if that Murphy guy will be with them?" Tephe asked.
"He was part of the royal party," Pevaphio informed them.
"Well, let's just hope he's not foolish enough to try anything," Jacques commented.
"I wouldn't worry, Lorelie told me that Queen Marilla spoke to her sister about the whole thing, and her sister informed her that she had already spoken to Murphy about the whole thing," Rowena informed them.
"That's good to know," Jacques replied.
For the next few minutes, the group talked amongst themselves as other individuals slowly entered the VIP area and took their seats until finally the royal family arrived.
King Osharus led the way along with Queen Marilla, who were followed by their children and grandchildren. Following them were other members of the royal family, including Murphy, who swam beside a woman who looked similar to Queen Marilla.
As they entered, everyone rose from their seats politely while the Merinmian VIP's bowed towards their king and queen.
"Well, it seems everyone is already here," King Osharus said with a smile as he looked around at everyone until his eye fell on Rowena and he said, "Diva Rowena, I'm happy to see that the report about you attending the concert was true, since I have not had the opportunity before now let me welcome you back to Oceana Seven."
"You to kind your majesty", Rowena replied as she bowed slightly while giving her signature smirk.
"And who else do we have here?" Queen Marilla asked with interest.
"Allow me to introduce my granddaughter, Stacey."
"Majesties," Stacey said politely.
A pleasure to meet you, my dear," Queen Marilla said with a warm smile.
"You no doubt know the rest. Here we have Senator Pevaphio's daughter, Tephe."
"Hi majesties," Tephe said with a small wave.
"Silly hatchling, that's not how you greet royalty," Pevaphio reprimanded.
"It's fine, Senator Pevaphio, it makes a refreshing change to be greeted in such a way."
"This is, of course, Lady Erkath."
"Majesties,"
"Ah, Erkath, of course, I have heard much about you, but never had the pleasure.
"And of course you know Jacques."
"My king and queen," Jacques said with a deep bow.
"Pleasure to see you again, Jacques. I hope your business is doing well."
"Very well, thank you for asking."
"Good, good, how about we all sit, I'm sure the show is about to start soon."
💫💫💫
Adam swam around backstage and observed the Merinmians who worked at the Royal Palace arena doing their final checks for the performance while Lorelie was off in her dressing room doing her own final checks.
[[Spector are you good to go?]] Adam typed into his unilink since he had his breather in his mouth, preventing him from speaking.
[[Affirmative, I am currently monitoring all security feeds in the Royal Palace Arena and surrounding area.]]
[[Good, you know this whole being unable to speak and having to type everything is really awkward and time-consuming. Isn't there a genetic upgrade or something I can get to fix this?]]
[[There is, there are infact several upgrades your body can undertake.]]
[[Why have you not mentioned this before now?]]
[[The opportunity never came up since we were so busy until now, and you have not been on board me the last few days. I planned to bring it up next time you returned to me.]]
[[Ok, once the concert is over we can discuss this, it would be helpful to atleast get an upgrade that allows me to speak underwater or communicate with you before Lorelie's next performance.]]
[[Affirmative]]
[Launching stream.]
[[Stream description below:]]
[[Stream Title: Diva Lorelie's first official show of her Genre Tour.]]
[[Mission Parameters: Your employer Diva Lorelie's first official show of her Genre Tour is about to get underway and it is your job as her bodyguard to make sure she stays safe.]]
[[Missions Goal: Keep Diva Lorelie safe.]]
[Forever1stCommenter (Earth): First.]
[Celebrityhunter69 (Earth): OH HELL YEAH BABY, I'VE BEEN WAITING FOR THIS.]
[Noobkiller9000 (Earth): Oh hell yeah, we get to watch a concert for free.]
[Whostolemyduck (Earth): I was wondering if the streamer would stream the concert. I'm happy to see he is.]
[Gunlovergirl (Earth): I'm hoping for some action during the songs.]
[AlamoMatador4thewin (Earth): This isn't an anime movie about a group of singers who hunt demons by singing.]