Space Odyssey: Spectre

The next few months passed by quietly. People in the galaxy were on edge as they expected some fallout from the war ending abruptly. They saw soldiers as they slowly expanded the Spectre Galactic Government's control over the entire galaxy. There was no tyranny and no infighting. The only part of the galaxy where fighting was happening was along the Kitinol Line.

Despite Jace's own thoughts about the corruption among the politicians. A civilian push from multiple planets replaced the temporary governors. Laws, rules, and standards began to be quickly set in place. Mostly to prevent corruption.

Eventually trade started flourishing. Even the section of space they started calling the Cerberus Territory. Which was the only united government group that was not completely subject to the new galactic governments laws. It instead has its own laws and rules. Some of which were more appealing.

Of course there were a few other wild parts of space. Even the Oda Empire territories were considered untamed with the warmongers that are constantly fighting over territory. Something which the rest of the galaxy is steering clear of at the request of the current Empress.

Jace was looking out the window of the new space station at the planet below, Hades-6 is what they named it. It was the new home planet for him and a few other families. At the moment they were installing a new device that would take another year to complete but would make not only going to and from the planet easier. It would basically open a hole in the upper atmosphere's growing field of debris and corrosive gasses that cause them issues going on and off the planet.

The new space station was far more active with a few migration ships and trade vessels going to and from the station which was still growing and building new branches. Even their Cerberus Unit had developed its own trading company that was currently only trading in low level space craft, laser weapons, and even some mechs. He hoped the amount of things they could move could grow in variety over time. But at the moment, those are what are needed.

The entire Spectre Galaxy is open for colonization and exploration. With no way for any outside forces to penetrate their borders. Which they have been trying. The readings from the gravity station show as much. At the moment it is only long range teleportation but soon enough they will be stopping space craft from other galaxies.

As for friendly galaxies, so far there has only been one. A month ago, about four months after Jace was found and returned home, the Canarus Galaxy reached out to both the Spectre Galactic Government and the Cerberus Unit. They wanted to establish a trade and peace agreement.

Cerberus and Jace have passed the authority over to the Spectre Galactic Government. At the end of the day Cerberus was not some nation but a presence necessary to keep the Galactic Government from making bad decisions or putting them in place in case they ever stepped out of line. So now, they had people on both sides talking about the agreement. But most of the Governors have already declared their position, they would only consider an agreement after confirming that Canarus does not run a dictatorship of some kind.

"Brooding really is not your style." Jace turned and smiled as he looked at Taylor who walked in with a data pad that she handed to Jace. She was smiling but she could see sadness hidden behind her smile.

"Haa…" He sighed as he accepted the data pad and looked at the mission report.

They along with the galactic military had secured all five of the gateways that were in their galaxy. Cerberus only had control of one. But the other four had been secured by the galactic government. Unfortunately the one leading to the Milky Way was one of the ones they secured.

So they needed permission from them to use it. They made a joint Covert Operations unit between them and the galactic government and they traveled to the Milky Way with Shilla in command of the Lance of Thanatos. The mission report of that mission was what he was reading and Taylor handed him.

They discovered that the gateway they activated was still active but the star reactor and Cain had both disappeared. However, there was some minor space debris in the bubble that contained the gateway. Which they brought back and would have some of it sent here and some to MILD to be analyzed. While several photos and forensic evidence showed the facility had been scrubbed after a fight that tore up parts of the gateway station.

They were still investigating but the signs showed there had been a fierce fight between Cain and several attackers. "Looks like Cain put up a good fight with whoever took him. They say they are still investigating, but I can already tell that he killed at least five of them at the actual station and destroyed at least two ships. Unfortunately it looks like they tried to scrub as much from the scene as possible."

Taylor opened her mouth as she frowned. "What about the debris they left behind?"

"It is probably just generic metals and materials. They would not leave anything that would lead back to them." Jace answered as he handed back the data pad and looked back through the window one last time before turning around and walking out of the office he was in. "Why are they so concerned and running their own investigation?"

"Because Cain has a wealth of classified information stored inside. They are worried about what defensive exploits that Cain might expose. So should we just tell them not to bother?" Taylor sounded a bit upset at the idea.

"No." Jace chuckled. "Let them look anyway, we might get lucky from looking at the debris. As for classified information. We do not have to worry. I modified Cain ahead of time."

"Should I let MILD and the Galactic Government know?" Taylor asked in turn as they made their way through the empty halls of the Gravity Station. The gravity station now had minimal staff with only people trying to the highest level that they could trust with their lives. Even coming near the station without authorization was considered a crime.

"No," Jace scoffed. "They will stop looking for Cain if we do. Let them keep looking for him." Jace informed him, "they might even find something interesting."

"Okay, that line of conversation is clearly over." Taylor sighed as she probably realized that it was a moot point to ask Jace anything more about it.

Jace smiled as he hummed, "So what are you going to do while I am gone?" He asked as he wanted to confirm the course of events that would take place. He was not going far but he would still be busy for a while.

Taylor rolled her eyes, "I will conduct a business agreement with my father and his company while you are gone that will give them rights to provide weapons to colonies in our territory should the Governor of said colony approve it." They arrived at a hangar where a ship was waiting. "I will also finish setting up Cerberus Territory's Secure satellite network. Which would allow for communication between colonies and provide them with all the networking needed to promote communication and a culture that spans our entire territory."

"Good." Jace nodded and chuckled at her annoyed tone.

"You say it is good but if you were so worried you could handle it yourself." Taylor pointed out with a sigh as they stopped outside of the ship.

"I could." He turned and reached out, pulling her towards him. Causing her to squeak and blush in surprise. "But if I am there for the meeting with your father it will never work out. He will reject any offer I give him. He really hates me for the perceived slight of 'tainting' you." She rolled her eyes again at that while clicking her tongue.

"I can't believe he does not even believe me when I tell him it was my choice. In fact I think we pushed you into the situation." Taylor pointed out as she relaxed while looking up at him.

"It is fine, I would rather he hate me than you." Jace told her then continued. "As for the satellites, my part is done. I have made the best program and digital security measures possible. All you have to do is finish the design we created and start sending them out."

"I know…" She sighed, "I am just frustrated. I have not seen Josie or any of the rest in a long time. What are you going to be doing down there anyways?"

"What do you mean?" Jace chuckled as relaxed his hug and started pulling away. "I will build the colony now that grass has literally started to grow. It is time I stopped running around and fighting other wars. Instead I will live my life and raise my apparently numerous kids that are waiting down there for me."

"You know…" She smiled. "We have all the time in the world. As a Spectre you will live for a very long time. In fact, most of us have extended lives. You will have well over a hundred years of life at least." Taylor was right, Jace would live at least a hundred years. He actually knew he would live a lot longer than that. In fact most of them would.

The new length of life for most people would be raised to at least a hundred in the next few years. The new system would extend most species' lifespans. Humans would benefit the most. But the people in Jace's territory would benefit the most even more than most of the wealthy people outside of it. Because Jace knew how to maximize the new system. So hidden amongst some of the rules were the benefits that would allow people to evolve and grow and develop their own bodies so they could live a longer life.

"At least, but…" He trailed off as he shrugged his shoulders. "I need to make a home for my family at least before my own kids start to leave the nest." Jace began to start up the ship as Taylor moved away and watched him.

Once it was started up he closed the rear ramp and she waved as he took off and flew out of the hangar. He hummed to himself as he flew toward the planet. As he approached a ship, invisible to passerbys sent him a warning but he just sent the correct security code. The ship's purpose was to protect the planet.

After flying past it he started entering the atmosphere. Almost immediately the ship began to send him a warning as some acid in a cloud began to burn through the outer hull of the ship. He ignored it as he watched through the view port as a giant mountain came into view. The clouds seemed to steer clear of it. It was an anomaly in the environment of this planet where everything was constantly trying to kill you.

He entered the space above the giant mountain and began to lower into it. As he did his controls began to beep as he was given landing coordinates. He followed them as his sensors stopped beeping at him as the acid clouds disappeared.

Then a program took control and he stood up as his ship lowered to the ground automatically and then landed with a slight jolt before powering off. The rear ramp of the ship started opening but stopped after a moment.

Jace clicked his tongue and slammed his foot on the end of the ramp. It creaked and then broke open. Slamming into the ground before he walked out to find he had landed on a patch of green grass.

He walked out of the ship and looked around to see Vana approaching him. He reached down and ran a hand along the grass and could see the dirt below. "Where am I starting?" He asked once she arrived next to him.

"Here." She nodded at the transport he arrived in and he looked at it and realized he could already see it. He had landed on the perfect spot to build the ranch house that he literally pictured in his mind. It would take some time. But he could get it done.

"Yeah, I can see it." He nodded as he smiled and then looked down the hill. The inside of this volcano spanned miles. It was large enough for a permanent small colony. One that would be a lot more open planes and small houses rather than a city. If they wanted to build a city, they could do that underground. It would not be difficult.

"So do you want to meet them?" Vana asked with a trace of excitement. Jace looked at her and smiled. She was talking about his kids, the one he had with her and the others.

He really was feeling better now.

—-------------------------------------

A few years passed by quickly for him. Not because of his activity but because that was just his life now. His kids were more rambunctious and mischievous than anyone could have expected. Not to mention with the increased gravity of Hades-6 they were also developing increased strength and endurance at younger levels.

He was currently in the ranch home sitting on a couch in the living room. A data pad in front of him detailing the latest discoveries in biomechanics. Which was not an area he had really researched. He had touched on it a few times when he had to. But his specialties were more design and programming.

He stood up as he heard someone calling out to him in the distance. Probably Josie, she was definitely the smartest of his kids. She was the daughter between him and Taylor Hielo. She was already doing complex math equations at the age of four. She always had complex questions that would turn from simple questions into a lecture on a new topic.

As he stood up he stopped by the mirror near the door. When he did he felt his consciousness slip back. He chuckled to himself as he felt his younger self control his own body for a moment. Looking at the pictures around the room.

Then after a moment he could hear a voice call out to him in the distance. "Jace!" It was Salem's voice. He could feel her slip into his mind and opened her mouth but his physical representation held a finger to his mouth to keep her quiet.

Then they watched as his younger self looked around and then zeroed in on the longsword. He then ran a hand along the words written on it. "Solitude is key. Embrace the Change." A moment later his younger self slowly disappeared and he was back in control.

Jace sighed and moved to the door. As he communicated aloud with Salem who was standing a short distance from him. "What's up?" He asked as he walked out the front door and walked across the porch.

"What was that?" Salem asked in confusion. She had a duffle bag hanging from her shoulder.

"My younger self." He answered with a smile.

Salem slowly nodded and then smiled. "I am back permanently now." She approached him and ran her hand along his hip as she passed him. "I assume you know what that means now."

Jace chuckled. "Yeah, it means I have my work cut out for me." He declared as he looked down at the colony. A few other houses were being built. But his ranch house was the only building in half a mile. They had plenty of area for horses and any other mounts to roam freely.

But at the end of the day it was more about his family. "I have officially retired from my military position. So what job do you have for me?" Salem asked as he could hear the sound of running feet quickly approaching. She seemed to realize that people were approaching as well because she was frowning.

"Security and background for immigrants attempting to join our military or any form of government." Jace answered honestly as he moved back onto the porch and moved to a joint hanging bench where he sat.

Salem sat with him and leaned against him. They stayed quiet for a moment. "It really is beautiful." She remarked as they relaxed while a group of children followed by Vana and a hidden Ulin approached them.

"It is always what I dreamed of without even knowing it." He quietly declared as he finally felt at home here. In this place with Salem and the rest of them. He knew now since the moment he first started living at the orphanage that everything led up to this outcome.

Visit and read more novel to help us update chapter quickly. Thank you so much!