5 5) Ventures in space

Max Tennyson's frown deepened as he read the cryptic message from Kevin Levin.

Max Tennyson's confusion deepened as he mulled over the cryptic message from Kevin Levin. The seasoned Plumber, usually a pillar of composure, found himself vexed by the situation infront of him. Annoyance etched lines on his furrowed brow, an uncharacteristic response to his calm nature.

Max Tennyson's annoyance swirled with a tinge of irony and bitterness as he contemplated the unexpected twist in Kevin's fate. The revelation that the Magistrata had elevated Kevin to a senior position to him added complexity to the whole thing. Max grappled with the implications, wondering how the once-troubled young man now held a position of authority.

His seasoned intuition pieced together the puzzle, recognizing the pragmatic undercurrents behind Kevin's elevated status. The realization settled upon him like a heavy cloak — Kevin's mutation, once a source of contention, had transformed into a strategically valuable asset. The Plumbers officials, ever vigilant, sought a means to keep a check on Ben Tennyson, Max's grandson whose actions, despite his heroics, had raised concerns among the higher authorities. The intricate twirls of power, responsibility and politics within the Plumber hierarchy now cast Kevin Levin in a pivotal role, a key player in a game that extended beyond the bounds of ordinary heroics.

His gaze softened thinking of it, he had no options but to acknowledge the concerns that fueled the Plumber officials' decisions. He couldn't muster resentment towards them; after all, their unease held a kernel of truth. The Omnimatrix, a potent weapon with the ability to reshape reality, rested on the wrist of a teenager, a mere human grappling with the weight of immense power. The delicate balance between heroism and the potential for unintended consequences lingered in Max's mind. The recognition of the responsibility bestowed upon Ben Tennyson, a young and fallible human, underscored the nuanced challenges faced by the Plumbers in safeguarding the universe. Moreover humans were beings guided by emotions. And the fate of Universe rested on one of them. It was reasonable enough to worry them.

Max Tennyson's gaze fixated on the message once again, absorbing the weight of the unexpected responsibility placed upon him. The words, "I am out of Earth for some days. Till then, you are in charge," echoed in his mind, a directive that thrust him into a position of authority. Alongside the message, an address unfolded, revealing the location of the impending deal. Kevin's strategic counsel to use an ID mask and mimic his persona resonated as a practical approach. Max recognized the significance of discreetly placing trackers in the vehicles, an advice that underscored Kevin's shrewd understanding of the stakes involved. Despite his doubts, the boy did hold intellect, he was not completely brawn, it seemed.

It was a relief to learn. Atleast he hadn't got a complete young stupid amateur as his boss.

___________________________________________

In the vast expanse of space, a solitary spaceship glided gracefully, its hull cutting through the cosmic void. Contrary to the urgency with interstellar travel, this particular traveler seemed to relish the tranquility of the cosmic abyss. The ship moved with a leisurely pace, navigating the celestial tapestry as if savoring the journey itself.

Freed from the terrestrial burdens that tethered him to Earth, Kevin Levin, now soaring through the cosmic expanse, reveled in the liberation from earthly tensions and concerns. He had placed Max in charge for the planet for the next few days. Days where he was gonna enjoy his holiday.

Atleast the older Tennyson was gonna be occupied, Kevin thought with a smirk. He had given him the date and venue of the next meeting. True to his predictions, another of the Forever Knights group had contacted him. They too wanted the same weapons or better from them. Kevin had agreed, this time the sum higher than earlier. He was now rich by another 2 million dollars. Money which sat proudly in his bank account.

In just two deals, he had made a whooping 4.5 Million. Money which was too good to believe. He took a million from each party. Well, it was his price though.

This Forever Knights group were better than the previous ones. They had given him 1.5 Million dollars for the deal. Perhaps it was because of the pride that they were better than the others. Whatever the dick measuring contest they were having, he had no interest in it. As long he was getting paid, he wasn't going to ponder on it. Too much critical thinking did harm to people.

As Kevin Levin sailed through the cosmos, his thoughts shifted to the next destination on his interstellar journey—the Interstellar Registration Office. His eyes shined as he thought about his next move. He was really gonna screw things up for many people. But if he could do it, then he was going to be immune for many things.

An hour of traversing through hyperspace brought Kevin Levin to the doorstep of the Interstellar Registration Office. As his spaceship materialized in the cosmic vicinity of the office, the atmosphere shifted noticeably. The perimeter was fortified with guards and Plumbers, vigilant sentinels stationed to ward off potential disturbances.

Navigating his spaceship with practiced finesse, Kevin Levin expertly maneuvered into the designated parking chamber at the Interstellar Registration Office. The wary gazes of guards and Plumbers tracked his every move, their alertness remaining unwavering. As the ship settled into its designated space, a subtle tension hung in the air. The presence of a stranger in their midst did not escaped the watchful eyes of the cosmic sentinels. They were alert for any attack at any moment.

"State your purpose," crackled a voice through the communication channel in Kevin's spaceship. The voice was gruff and serious. Probably a stern officer, Kevin realised.

Kevin responded coolly, "Just a customer, looking to buy things like everyone else." His voice was amplified through his spacesuit helmet. His eyes went to the guards with weapons aimed at the ship. They were possibly being alerted simultaneously too.

"You may emerge out," echoed the voice from the other side of the communication channel, granting Kevin permission to step out onto the interstellar grounds.

Kevin, undeterred, nodded to himself, acknowledging the directive. With purposeful strides, he emerged from the spaceship with his bag, into the watchful gaze of the guards and Plumbers. Here he was, a lone customer with undisclosed motives in one of the biggest bureaucratic offices of Universe.

A towering figure approached Kevin, their red-skinned, four-armed form unmistakably marking them as a Tetramand. The additional set of eyes surveyed Kevin with a mixture of curiosity and vigilance. It was a moment of recognition for Kevin, who discerned the familiarity in the alien's anatomy. Well, it was hard not to, considering the alien was one of his favourites in Ben 10.

The Tetramand, towering over Kevin with an imposing presence, extended one of its massive hands in a gesture of interstellar hospitality.

Gareth, the Tetramand, spoke with a resonant voice that echoed through the cosmic air. "I am Gareth of Tetramands, a Plumber, and one of the head aliens responsible for security," he declared, the weight of authority apparent in his words.

"I am Kevin Levin, Plumber and Magistrate of the Stellar System from Sun to Pluto," Kevin replied, his words carrying a weight that reflected the expansive scope of his responsibilities.

Gareth's additional eyes blinked in acknowledgment, recognizing the authority vested in Kevin's title.

"A magistrate," Gareth spoke with a tinge of surprise, his additional eyes narrowing slightly. The revelation prompted him to seek clarification, and he asked, "May I inquire about your identity? As far as I know, the planets you mentioned don't have a magistrate."

Kevin considered his response carefully. He had expected this. Apparently their solar system came under someone named Magister Gilhil. Even Kevin had to report to him. Not that he did it even once.

In response to Gareth's inquiry, Kevin unclasped his Plumber's badge, its metallic surface catching the cosmic reddish light. With a press, the badge emitted a subtle hum, projecting a holographic display that unveiled Kevin Levin's identity as the Magistrate of the Solar System. The hologram shimmered, revealing the official insignia and credentials that substantiated Kevin's claim.

Gareth's additional eyes flickered as they scanned the holographic information, and a nod of acknowledgment followed.

"You may go, Magistrate Kevin," Gareth declared, acknowledging Kevin's esteemed position. However, the protocols of the Interstellar Registration Office demanded adherence, and Gareth continued, "Show the contents of the bag, as per the protocol."

With a nod of understanding, Kevin complied, unveiling the contents of the bag for inspection.

Gareth's eyes widened in astonishment and awe as he gazed upon the contents of the bag. A Tetramand exclamation, laden with both surprise and respect, escaped his lips in their native language. The sight of a bag brimming with Taydenite crystals left Gareth momentarily taken aback. The inherent value of Taydenite, known across the cosmic expanse, painted a portrait of untold wealth.

In Gareth's Tetramand language, oaths of amazement flowed. Kevin found some of the words amusing, though he kept it in his memory. It was a testament to the staggering riches that Kevin, the Plumber and Magistrate, carried within the confines of the cosmic pouch.

In the wake of the astonishing revelation, Gareth's perception shifted, recognizing the lucrative potential Kevin presented as a client. With a decisive command, he directed the guards to stand down, dispelling the tension that had lingered in the air. If there was air in that cosmic office at all.

Gareth now wore an expression of professional composure. He issued instructions for Mereth, a fellow being who was Splixon, to guide Kevin to the inner sanctum of the Interstellar Registration Office.

"Follow me, Magistrate Kevin," Mereth spoke with polite deference, leading the way through the guarded corridors of the Interstellar Registration Office.

They stopped on a security check. The alien wasn't someone Kevin recognized. It was huge and had a cage around its head. The cage was covered too. Only his eyes showed.

"You may remove the suit, Magistrate Kevin," Mereth suggested as they approached the entrance of the Interstellar Registration Office. "This space station office has a mix of environments. Humans won't have a problem here."

Kevin nodded in understanding and carefully placed the suit into the cabinet provided by the security officer. The security officers green eyes followed his every moment. For some reason, Kevin felt eerie by the gaze of the security officer. He didn't ponder on it for long though.

An immediate chill embraced him. The ambient air, crisp and cold, carried an otherworldly quality that hinted at the diverse atmospheres coexisting within the cosmic confines of the office. Strange scents, foreign to his olfactory senses of a human, wafted through the air. He smelled methane, sulphur and various other things.

They moved and Kevin decided to engage in some small talk with the little alien.

He couldn't help but express his fascination with Mereth's species. "I've always found Splixons interesting," Kevin remarked with a smile. "The ability to clone yourself seems like it would come in handy in various situations."

Mereth nodded in acknowledgement. Kevin couldn't help but move his hands to pat the little alien.

"If you ever find yourself seeking a change of scenery, Mereth, I could use someone with your skills on Earth. The Plumbers are always in need of capable beings, and your expertise could be quite valuable in safeguarding our little corner of the universe." Kevin offered with a smile. He patted the little alien, unknowingly to Mereth, his DNA was being copied by Kevin inside his body for later purposes.

Mereth, intrigued by the proposition, expressed gratitude for the offer. Perhaps he might take the offer someday. He had never been on any other planet than his own. It would be an interesting experience for sure.

He never saw what Kevin aimed for. Not that he could stop it either. The man infront of him was ranked higher than him by all counts.

He completely missed the smirk on Kevin's face as they walked through the hall.