Last Chapter Recap: "I will be counting on you then," Selana said, turning to Adam with a firm, "Let us continue our tour, Ensign. After me."
Now
"I needed to ask you a personal question ensign," Selana stopped walking and turned to Adam, her expression serious yet curious. "Is that alright?"
"...Yes, ma'am?" Adam said, his voice tinged with confusion.
"What made you defect?" Selana asked suddenly.
'Ahhh, so she did a proper background check on me... as expected of this woman.'
'That's right, I am originally Neo-Terran. In fact, my kingdom was relatively favorable—wealth, slaves, prestige... we had it all.'
'My father and brothers were some of the foremost researchers in the Neo-Terran government, developing many of the spy gadgets used by Neo-Terran spies. It was the source of our research and ideas—at least until our kingdom and research facility were destroyed...' Adam thought.
"It's very simple, really," Adam replied to Selana. "My family fell from grace after another loss to the Alliance. We had no choice but to save ourselves by escaping."
"I see..." Selana murmured, her expression unreadable.
"Of course, over those last few years, I grew to appreciate the values of the Alliance. That's why I enlisted. Or do you suspect my allegiances, Captain?" Adam said to Selana.
"I truly trust our counterintelligence, Ensign. Your record is spotless; that's enough for me," Selana replied, her gaze steady. "But I like to know the motivation of those who serve on my ship. It makes it easier to form a bond of trust between us."
"And may I ask, what do you fight for, Captain?" Adam asked, his tone curious yet respectful.
"For the same thing most people do, I believe," Selana said with a small smile. "For the future of my family, for my husband... and my children, if God above graces me with them, I guess."
'I see... wait, what?' Adam shocked.
"You're... married, Captain?" Adam asked, his voice tinged with disbelief as he stared at her, struggling to hide his surprise.
"Yes, I am. Is that such a surprise?" Selana asked, her eyebrow raising slightly.
"Actually, yes... You're a famous person in The Space Titans and the Alliance government, after all," Adam said, his voice a mix of surprise.
"I made sure all my personal material doesn't mention my husband and daughter," Selana said with a smile. "I value my private life."
'Damn, so she's already taken and has a daughter...' Adam thought, 'I wonder who that lucky man is...' He clenched his jaw, feeling the heat of envy rise. 'Fuck, I'm jealous as hell.'
"I see. In that case, I'll not pry further, Captain," Adam said, his voice steady.
"Good judgment," Selana said, nodding approvingly. "Now, we've arrived at the lower hanger. Please be careful pilots like to play around with gravity fields." She warned, her tone serious as we approached the area.