"I got him," Tephe cheered happily as Robert's body disintegrated before she turned to Adam and said proudly, "See that, Adam, I got him."
"You sure did," Adam replied with a smile.
"Took you two shots, though," Stacey teased, causing Tephe to pout.
"Ok, that's enough, you two. It's time to leave." Adam said with a smile before turning to leave.
"Aye, aye," Tephe said with a mock salute.
"Time to deal with the fools who fired a missile at us," Stacey said with a vicious smile.
"Thank you for your assistance and cooperation," Adam said towards Benson.
"You're welcome, but kindly leave before you destroy any more furniture," Benson replied.
Adam smiled and nodded before he led Stacey and Tephe out of the room.
"Do we have any update from the recon drone, Spector?" Adam asked as he passed Greg and Jimmy.
[[Affirmative. I was just waiting for you to finish up dealing with Robert Flemming.]] Spector replied before continuing.
[[The recon drone arrived at the missile base where the cruise missile launch was ordered from a few minutes ago and has successfully deployed nanobots to infiltrate and access its main computer system.
The missile launch was ordered by Colonel Dmitri Sokolov, who had received a call from his father, Ivan Sokolov, a few minutes earlier. Audio enhancement allows us to clearly hear Ivan Sokolov ordering the destruction of Spector Unit Five now that you are no longer onboard.]]
[Whostolemyduck (Earth): So it was the Sokolov families doing.]
[Gunlovergirl (Earth): This is starting to make sense.]
[Superior4horns (Vinox 3): It is? Who are these Sokolov's?]
"How can someone randomly order a missile launch? Even if they are the head of that person's family," Adam asked in confusion as the three of them re-boarded the shuttle.
"So, this was the doing of the Sokolov family," Emma remarked.
"You know them?" Adam asked before adding, "I'm assuming your business discussions with Lady Flemming are complete?"
Emma smiled before shaking her head and saying, "They haven't even really started yet; we got distracted watching you until Robert died, after which she said she needed some time and ended the call."
"I see," Adam replied before asking, "So what do you know about the Sokolov family?"
"I'm surprised you haven't heard of them since you were such a good student," Emma remarked before continuing. "The Sokolov family used to be one of the five families before the collapse of the Soviet Union.
They came to power and replaced the Kruger family after the Germans lost to the Allied forces during World War Two and they were essentialy the rulers of Europe all the way until the end of the Cold War, after which the Flemming family replaced them, though they still have much sway in the Russian government and military."
"Which is no doubt how they managed to authorise the launch," Adam replied before adding, "I do remember reading something about them in history class"
"The Sokolov family has never been happy about loosing it's position as one of the five families," Emma continued before continuing, "They have constantly been at odds with the Flemming family, who rule over Europe, though they naturally are not strong enough to replace them.
The position the five families possess as leaders of their respective continents is constantly being eyed by other, slightly less powerful and influential families who are just waiting for a chance to seize a seat at the table of the five families.
The Sokolov family is one of these families and I'm guessing that Ivan Sokolov saw your return and the killing of Nada Keita as a chance to use you in eliminating the Keita family."
"You mean to say that this Ivan Sokolov ordered the missile launch at the shuttle in order to kill those of us that remained onboard in an attempt to trick Adam into taking revenge on the Keita family, who we originally assumed fired it?" Rowena asked.
"The Sokolov family must have spies in the Flemming family if they knew Adam was no longer onboard and also the Keita family if they already know he killed Nada Keita," Eri stated.
"That's not surprising, the families all have spies in one another's ranks," Emma stated.
"Surely he didn't expect the missile to actually be able to destroy the shuttle?" Lorelie asked.
"They probably did," Aphrodite replied before adding, "That's likely the reason why they waited until Adam had disembarked before firing. They were worried that if they killed Adam, there would be no one to take revenge."
"Unfortunately, he didn't anticipate that Spector could not only intercept the missile, but also determine who ordered and authorised the launch," Stacey stated before turning to Adam and asking, "What do you plan to do?"
[NonpareilRaphilia (Aaru): Quite the schemmer this Ivan Sokolov.]
[Tessisdabest (Imperial Down): Unfortunately for him, he severely underestimated Adam's capabilities.]
[Handsome3horns (Vinox 2): It was his AI's doing, you can't really say they're HIS capabilities.]
[Tessisdabest (Imperial Down): You said it yourself, it's HIS AI, therefore part of his capabilities.]
[OracleRomy (Elysium): So what do you think he plans to do?]
[DeverinianLordMalacoss (Deverinian 9): Take revenge, obviously. You saw what happened to Nada Keita and Robert Flemming, who targeted Emma Hopkins, and she's not even one of Adam's loved ones.]
[LadyErkath (Alastor): Agreed. I get the feeling the Sokolov family is about to lose A LOT, assuming they don't disappear entirely.]
[Phoenixempress (Fenix Nest): I doubt he will go out of his way to make the Sokoliv family disappear entirely, as that would take a lot of time and effort even for him. He will most likely cripple them in a way that makes it impossible for them to return to a position of power and influence.]
[OfficialKasumi (Aqua Primus): You mean you hope he doesn't waste time doing that, as it would delay his arrival on Fenix Nest.]
[Phoenixempress (Fenix Nest): Are you any different? You awaiting their arrival on Aqua Primus?]
"Spector, Track Ivan Sokolov's phone and also do a background check into the Sokolov family and there assests. We will deal with them in a little while," Adam replied before sitting in the shuttle's pilot seat and having it lift off while cloaking again.
[[Affirmative.]]
"You're not going to kill him straight away?" Stacey asked in surprise.
"No, I have a better use for him and the Sokolov family," Adam replied with a dark smile before saying, "Spector, we are returning."
[[Affirmative.]]
[[Docking bay is standingby.]]
[StealthAssassin9 (Earth): Wait. What about the five families? Doesn't he need to talk to them about their whole framing him for mass murder thing?]
[Beczontop (Imperial Down): There's still time for that. He can do it from his ship after all.]
"Spector. Determine the most profitable and popular structures or buildings owned by the Morose, Keira, Zhao and Williams families."
[[Affirmative.]]
"Are you not going to punish the Flemming family then?" Emma asked curiously.
"They didn't spread rumours about me being a mass murderer, however they also didn't stop the spread of them in Europe, so while I won't punish them as harshly as the others, they will still be punished," Adam replied before adding, "Also Isabella wants to work with you, so as long as she doesn't do anything stupid, I see no point in making this more awkward for you."
"Thanks," Emma replied while smiling before saying, "Though her real reason for inviting me to join the Flemming family's Earth Project is to build a closer relationship with you."
"No real surprise there. She probably hopes to eventually gain access to advanced technology her family can monopolise," Adam replied.
"Her motives are kinda obvious, aren't they?" Emma replied with a chuckle.
[AlamoMatador4thewin (Earth): Well, who wouldn't want to get their hands on advanced technology that gives them a clear advantage over their rivals?]
"Would you do it?" Rowena asked curiously.
"What, give her access to advanced technology from the known universe?" Adam asked as the shuttle passed through Earth's atmosphere.
"Yes," Rowena replied.
"Not right now, but it's something worth considering in the future, though it would have to be done right," Adam replied.
"Done right?" Emma asked.
"He's most likely referring to how primitive cultures end up destroying themselves when suddenly given advanced technology that is far beyond their understanding," Aphrodite replied before adding, "There are numerous accounts of such things occurring in the past before the Universal Senate set guidelines and laws regulating it."
"I see," Emma replied. Just an outline of Spector appeared on the viewscreen, indicating where she was currently hiding in stealth.
As she watched with interest, she saw Adam pilot the shuttle towards Spector before he flew it inside the docking bay.
From her perspective, it seemed as if the outside of the shuttle had suddenly changed from empty space to the inside of the docking bay and if not for the outline on the viewscreen, she wouldn't have known it was going to happen until it did.
Adam landed the shuttle before turning to Emma with a smile and saying, "Welcome aboard. How about we go find you a room?"
"Thank you, that sounds great," Emma replied with a smile of her own.