Chapter 301: Split Evolution
The Princess was looking at the pool of blood in shock while the butler had woken up to only immediately faint again. The Emperor grunted in amusement. The High Priestess was the one to break the silence. "What did you mean by the Spectres being a species?"
Her words caused the Emperor to jolt in his seat while Jace was expecting the question. The Princess pulled out of her shock, looked over at her father. While Astella made a facial expression that was more reminiscent of her making a mistake. The Emperor sighed after a moment, "just how it sounds. The nanomachines in our system were made to evolve the users into greater warriors. We had managed something similar a long time ago during the Grand Hexarian Empire with the Praetorians. But the Spectres were the next step on that path and only achievable when the users were young."
"So you created an entire species? How did you even manage that?" The princess asked in shock as she looked over at Jace.
"It was actually Spectre Jace who gave us the idea. He had shown exceptional abilities since he was young and those only further grew until he reached the peak human level. Then the system had him undergo a process to convert from a pure human into something that is called a Spectre." The Emperor explained, fully trusting the occupants of the room. "Actually that reminds me. How far along in the process are you Spectre Jace?"
Jace sighed as he had not checked the information himself in awhile. He looked into the open air and opened the nanosystem interface. He probably should have checked on it after his interaction with the Centuria but after the error message from the system he just set aside the thought of checking it.
[General Information
Name: Jace Steel
Chronological Age: 18
Biological Age: 22
Compatibility Rating: S
Talent: Enhanced Senses
Strength: 100
Agility: 100
Speed: 100
Health: 100
Intelligence: 100
Abilities: Blueprint, Assistant Program, Bioelectrical Control, Weapon Assimilation, Electronic Control]
[Hidden Information
Spouse: Salem Wintry
{Sealed}: Shilla Aphri
Lineage: {Locked}
Weapon Forms: Ritual Sword, Gladius, Longsword
Talent/Ability Understanding: 40%
Evolution Stage: 7% Human, 63% Spectre, 30% {Locked}
{Sealed}: {Locked}
{Sealed}: {Locked}]
[Astral Beast Companion
Name: Cho
Age: 1
Imprinted on: Jace Steel]
His levels had maxed out during training and now they were stuck at the current levels. But he was sure once he fully stopped being human he would be able to get stronger or something. But for the time being he would just be stuck at the human limit. "Human percentage has reached a single digit. But my evolution is still split between Spectre and something else." Jace answered as he noticed his Talent Understanding was at 40% percent. He would have to see about spending some time training when he got back to the Venture.
These days he spent time reworking or modifying weapons. He also spent time enjoying the company of women. But he had not spent nearly enough time training his powers.
"Hmm... I suppose you are not the best example but yes. He has almost completely evolved from being a human according to the nanosystem." Emperor Natius explained as he relaxed in his seat.
Jace could pick up the sound of gunshots coming through the door. But it was muted in the room because of the soundproofing. It seemed whatever battle was happening had started in the building. From the messages and reports he was getting it had started all over the station.
Over at the Venture they had managed to subdue the enemies before they triggered bombs. But now the station’s policing forces were butting heads with them. But for the time being they could hold the ground and keep the peace.
Then outside the crowd gathered at the building the enemy forces had been subdued more by the crowd than anything his squad had done. While apparently the inside of the building had turned into a fist fight as they moved to detain the people looking suspicious. Now they were just finishing everything up.
"Let’s put the finishing touches on this contract. Then afterwards we will be able to gout and see the damage while also doing the public signing. By we I mean you two." The Emperor declared as he leaned back in his seat and relaxed. "Because I am officially retired."
Jace watched on as they worked through the contract and quietly finished it up before they decided it was finished an hour later. They walked downstairs where they were in the midst of mopping up blood. Ulin and Uti had joined guarding the VIPs while the rest of his squad had set up downstairs in the lobby. As soon as they started moving to the signing he had Ulin and Uti branch off with the Emperor to head back to the Venture. His temporary home until his transport to Echo System arrived.
The butler who had woken up at some point was quickly setting up the table with the others as he worked with a few injured employees of this still unopened building. Outside they could see the crowd had gotten closer and were for the most part policing themselves.
The ceremony took only a few minutes from when they set up the documents to when they made an official speech in front of video recorders and news networks. They had them right in front of the table as they signed the documents and then showed the signature. The Princess did another short speech as the video and records of the speech were broadcast to the station and nearby planet.
Within the next day or so it would end up in neighboring systems and then farther. As Jace rode in the vehicle that drove them back to the docks he looked over at the High Priestess. The Princess had gone back under the protection of her own people as she sorted out the traitors that were trying to kill her. But the High Priestess was heading back to the Venture.
"I am sure you are aware. But now that the documents have been officially signed, the command the Emperor had over the Spectres has been transferred to you." Jace informed her as the vehicle slightly rocked. He was sitting in the front seat with the driver. While in the back seats were the High Priestess and Nila. The rest of his squad were in vehicles in front and behind them.
"Good, then I want you to apologize." The High Priestess looked toward him with a glare while Nila chuckled. They had been talking about the primitive nature of the vehicles.
"For what am I apologizing?" Jace asked as he turned lightly back. "Ma’am?"
"For being so rude the first time we met." The High Priestess reminded him.
"I apologize for being so rude the first time we met." Jace apologized, "but if a similar situation occurs again I will follow the same course of actions as I was following a specific set of orders." Jace reminded her, turning her triumphant smile into a frown.
She then sat back in her seat and mumbled. Jace just rolled his eyes and focused on the road ahead of them. Continuing to look for threats around them.