Chapter 294: Out of Date Protocols
The airlock door opened with a rush of air. Jace was not dressed in his armor at the moment. He was wearing his formal white uniform with a number of medals and rank markers that no longer mattered. The only emblem that mattered was the Cerberus patch that was on his shoulder.
As the High Priestess stepped through the threshold she looked at him and made a slight growling noise. "Spectre Jace. I am surprised you are not in full armor." She pointed out as she looked over his formal dress uniform.
He held his hand toward a direction that was deeper into the Venture and smiled. "My armor is undergoing maintenance. But until it is done the rest of my squad will be taking care of your protection in teams of two until we are done." Jace answered as he looked at Nila and Ulin who were standing off the side in their full armor. "The General has prepared a formal dinner for us and higher ranking officers. He hopes you will join the dinner."
"When is it?" She asked as they walked through the ship. Jace was leading her to her quarters in one of the safest areas of the ship.
"In an hour." Jace answered, "we will get you settled in your room first." After a few feet the airlock door closed and the Venture disembarked.
"Will HE be there?" The High Priestess asked. Jace sighed as he realized who she was talking about.
"Yes, he is already aboard and is your neighbor. He was worried you might have fallen for the trick. So he wanted to personally assure you himself." Jace answered as he led his way to her temporary quarters.
"Was there a specific reason you felt the need to escort me outside of your armor?" The High Priestess asked.
Jace sighed, "it is protocol. Because you are under my protection for the time being I am to accompany you during all main events. Such as when you board the ship. If you go to the formal officer dinner. If there are any other events you go to while you are living aboard the Venture. Then when you leave I will also escort you to whatever ship you are boarding." Jace explained as they soon arrived at a door that slid open. Nila and Ulin entered the room first. Moving around the room making sure the room was clear.
Nila was doing it a bit more awkwardly because she was not trained to do this kind of thing. But it was covered in the military academy so Ulin was systematically searching the room.
"I assume a room search before I enter is also protocol?" The High Priestess asked in surprise.
Jace shrugged his shoulders. "Our high level political and military assets tend to be old or feeble people that are not able to keep themselves safe from a surprise attack." Jace nodded at the pair of invisible guards she had with her. "Granted I am sure your guards do not need to search the room when they can just constantly protect you."
The High Priestess growled. "How annoying... I assure you that this will not stand once you humans completely join the Victorium." She explained as they watched them search the room. "But why do you continue to do it if you so clearly dislike it?"
"Because we are still bound by the Vexical Military protocols and more so when we are in Vexical Empire space." Jace explained as he leaned against the wall. "Which reminds me, I have to warn you that the princess will likely be throwing a lavish parade when you arrive for the talk."
She turned to him with a slight growl. "Why? They are basically handing over their territory to another."
"Because as far as most humans are concerned the Victorium are ruled by a High Priestess and nothing else. Which makes you the highest existing Victorium asset that your country has. The princess is probably under the impression you are coming with a fleet of ships and set up a parade and celebration to show her appreciation. It is a political maneuver that people do to curry favor." Jace explained as Ulin and Nila stepped out of the room and waited for him to finish his explanation.
"The room is clear." Nila announced.
"Good stay at the door until someone else from Cerberus comes to take your place." Jace ordered and then waved as he pushed himself off the wall and prepared to walk away.
"Spectre Jace, would you like to join me for a drink before we go to this supposed dinner?" The High Priestess asked.
Jace raised his eyebrow. "I assume this invitation is more of an interrogation. But I literally can not turn down a request from you while I am your guard." Jace answered and stood to the side waiting for the High Priestess to enter the room first.
She walked in and Jace followed her inside. She looked around and Jace stood in the center of the room waiting as she got familiar with her room. Then she waved at a lounge area with cushions for him to sit at.
Jace moved over and sat on the couch while she moved over to a cabinet that had a number of heavier alcohols on it. "I have yet to try human alcohol. There are several up here labeled, do you have a preference?"
"Unfortunately alcohol stopped affecting me after I became a Spectre." Jace declared as he leaned back. "But the Kamot Whiskey might be up there. It leaves a blood-like flavor in your mouth."
"Blood-like? What is it made of?" She found the particular type he was talking about and poured some in a glass before bringing it up and recoiling in surprise. "Oh!"
"Corn, wheat, yeast, and water. But the barrels it is aged in are a specialty of the Kamot system. They turn the whiskey a blood red and the corn grown in Kamot tastes a bit like metal." Jace explained as she walked over and handed him a glass. "So what did you want to talk about?"
"The Kin and Centuria. I would like to know more about them. Especially the Kin, it falls to me whether or not I classify them as lifeforms." The High Priestess informed him as she sat down in her own seat.