Pevaphio and the others at the table frowned with confusion at Adam’s statement before Pevaphio asked.

“If what you say is true, then how did you come into possession of a Universal Force Staff? Also, why would you admit to not being a Universal Senator Bodyguard? Such a possession would open many doors for you.”

“It may indeed open many doors in the short term; however, in the long term, it would bring me nothing but trouble. Does the Universal Senator Bodyguard headquarters not keep records of who their employees are?” Adam replied.

“You are correct. Though if what you say is true, you will most likely encounter issues in the future, regardless, after all, only Universal Senator Bodyguards are authorised to wield the Universal Force Staff.”

“That may be true for citizens of races and species of the known universe and who have a senator such as yourself to represent them; however, as I have already said, I am not from the known universe, and I and my race are not represented in the universal or any galactic senate.”

There was silence at the table for a few moments as the group contemplated Adam’s words.

“What you say is indeed correct.” Pevaphio finally replied after thinking it over for a few moments. “As far as I am aware, there is no precedent for this situation. You are not a Universal Senator Bodyguard, and so you should not be allowed to possess the Universal Force Staff, and yet you are also not a citizen that is represented by the Universal Senate and therefore are not subject to their laws.”

“Do you think Adam will face repercussions from wielding the Universal Force Staff, then, Senator?” Rowena asked.

“I don’t think there will be repercussions, per se, as long as he cooperates with the Universal Senator Bodyguards when they learn of this and seek him out,” Pevaphio replied.

“Cooperate how?” Adam asked suspiciously.

“I can’t say for certain since there has never been a precedent like this; however, I expect they will request that you hand your Universal Force Staff over to them.”

“I see, and should I refuse?”

“That would not be in your best interests. “While the Universal Senator Bodyguards are unlikely to come after you themselves since it is outside their mandate, they can still post bounties on you and also request the senators they protect to make things difficult for you and those associated with you.”

“I am not afraid of bounty hunters coming after me; I’m already at odds with the Bounty Hunter Guild anyway. However, their making things difficult for my friends would be annoying.

This is why I dislike the rich and powerful, and I would rather not waste my time hunting down all those who made my friends' lives difficult.”

Pevaphio stared at Adam for a few moments before laughing lightly, after which she said, “Are you sure you don’t have some dragon in you, young man?”

“Excuse me?” Adam asked in surprise.

“We dragons are a proud race and are not afraid to fight anyone for what we want or believe. Your words just then impressed me. I have decided, I would like to offer you the position as my Universal Senator Bodyguard for the upcoming Supreme Speaker selection.”

While the other women didn’t react much to this since they had been expecting it, Jacques showed a surprised look upon hearing this.

“While I appreciate the offer, I’m not sure that's appropriate,” Adam replied before continuing. “First, I am already acting as Lorelie’s bodyguard along with Stacey, and second, I am not a Universal Senator Bodyguard, so how can I be yours?”

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“The matter regarding being Diva Lorelie’s bodyguard is not an issue, as long as she is willing to accompany us to the Senators' Dome in the near future,” Pevaphio replied as she looked towards Lorelie.

“I have no issue with that, in fact, I have always wished to visit the Senator’s Dome at the heart of the known universe.”

“Good, as for the second matter, all we have to do is have you become an official Universal Senators Bodyguard.”

“And is such a thing simple? Do I have to take some sort of test?” Adam asked.

“For those who wish to become Universal Senator Bodyguards and be assigned to a senator by the headquarters, they do indeed have to take a test. However, the Senator has the right and privilege to choose their own bodyguard should they wish, whether they are already part of the Universal Senator Bodyguards or not.

While you will have to register yourself at the headquarters, you will not have to go through any sort of test.”

“I see, and what do I get out of this?”

“You will obviously be well compensated.”

“That is fine, but I want something else,” Adam replied after thinking for a moment.

“What?” Pevaphio asked curiously.

“I want you to give Tephe permission to remain on my ship, at least until this superme speakers' selection is over.”

“What?” Pevaphio and Tephe asked in surprise before Tephe asked.

“Why?”

“Yes, why?” Pevaphio repeated.

“I promised Tephe here a gift before, and since she wants to explore the universe, why not give her that as a gift?”

“That's one impressive gift?” Rowena said with a slight pout before asking, “So where is mine?”

“I already have one in mind for you,” Adam replied while rolling his eyes.

“You better, and it better be good,” Rowena replied with a smirk.

“Hmmm, I don’t know,” Pevaphio said uncertainly.

“Come on, mum, please. If you think Adam is strong enough to protect you at the Supreme speakers' selection, then he is obviously strong enough to protect me.” Tephe said hopefully.

“Silly hatchling, I am not employing the boy because he is strong. Do you really think a fully grown dragon like me needs protection? I am employing him so that I don’t lose face in front of the other senators again.”

“Sorry for being so weak,” Adam replied with a smirk.

“I meant no offence, it’s just the honest truth,” Pevaphio replied.

“She's right, babe.” Stacey said before explaining, “While you are indeed strong, you are nothing compared to a fully grown dragon. A fully grown dragon is one of the most powerful species in the known universe.”

“The most powerful.” Pevaphio and Tephe said together.

“Sure, sure,” Stacey said while rolling her eyes.

“Well, anyway, that's my offer, I will accept the job of being your Universal Senator Bodyguard for a reasonable pay and permission for Tephe to keep travelling with us for the time being.”

Pevaphio was quiet for a short while before she said, “I will consider it. I believe you're going to remain on Oceana Seven for at least a while so that Diva Lorelie can perform several concerts in the Oasis Galaxy.”

“Very well,” Adam replied as Tephe did a mini fist bump under the table.

“So tell me, Pevaphio, why did it take you so long to come find Tephe? We have been on the planet for several hours now.” Rowena asked curiously.

“I was beneath the ocean in the royal palace meeting the king until a short while ago.

I only picked up Tephe’s scent once I left the ocean.” Pevaphio explained.

“No doubt he invited you for a visit as soon as you arrived on the planet,” Lorelie stated.

“You would be correct. The king wished to discuss the matter regarding the Terran trade embargo. He was especially upset about what happened to you.

He has apparently instructed the Oasis Galaxies Senator to push for the most severe trade embargoes they can get.”

“No real surprise considering Lorelie could have been killed if not for Adam here,” Jacques commented.

“While I appreciate the compliment, it was still partially my fault that all of you were put in danger; the TISF were after all after me.”

“You had no way of knowing they would take such action; besides, we chose to accompany you,” Lorelie said.

“Well, regardless, since my daughter was aboard your ship at the time, I have told the Merinmian king that I will support his decision in trying to attain the harshest trade embargo possible.”

“Makes you feel kind of sorry for the Terran citizens,” Adam commented, causing the others to look at him in surprise.

“I would have thought you, of all people, would support the trade embargo; they attacked you after all,” Jacques stated.

“I would support any action the Senate decided to take against the TISF and imperial family, since it was they who attacked or ordered the attack on us.

Most Terran’s however, are innocent and had nothing to do with this whole situation.”

“I see, then what would you do if you were one of the Universal Senators?” Pevaphio asked curiously.

Adam thought for a short while before saying, “Place restrictions on the TISF while also only placing trade restrictions on items they desire, not ones they desperately need, such as God's Oasis. That way, the general public won’t suffer but will still be unhappy with those who caused this.”