Are You Going to Start a War?

"Got that, Mr. Wildemann," the person that Aubrey contacted answered firmly. He also said to his friends. "Mr. Wildemann ordered us to install Engine No. 2 with Rochellium turbines!"

"Alright…!"

"Yeah, let's go...!"

"Let's do it, boys!"

"Move it, move it, move it…!"

Benedict Engineering workers reacted to Aubrey's like they were going to do a big job. They went to their respective posts while the man named Fisk continued to give instructions.

On the balcony, Jarett looked at Aubrey as if he didn't believe what his partner just said. "Are you going to start a war?"

Aubrey looked back at Jarett with innocent eyes. "Nope. But if someone does, we have to be ready for it."

His colleague's answer made Jarett nod his head with a faint smile, while Aubrey just raised his eyebrows.

At the Beam Field facility or Benedict Engineering's Mega Armor weapons testing site. The white beam of light accompanied by bias and pink flashes emitted many times, hitting its target that was made of steel.

BHEEEEWSSSHHH…!

BDAM!

BHEEEEWSSSHHH…!

BDAM!

"If only my smart but brash little brother had given me this weapon from the start…"

"We suddenly embarked that day, Aiden. That gun on your robot's hand never boards on Cathedral before," Karenina and Aiden chatted via the communication network in their respective Mega Armors.

This time the black and gray Seraph was carrying a futuristic designed rifle with a muzzle that was bigger and longer than his previous weapon.

Cherub himself is armed with two high-energy beam pistols. Cherub's sharp weapon is on the top of his hand. There are three claws that can appear, coming out of her 'Vest Cloak' panel there.

"Actually, I knew Aubrey wouldn't make a mistake. He is a genius kid. Since childhood, he has been interested in designing Mega Armor, asking Klien Industries workers whatever he sees, how to make those devices, loves studying mathematics."

What Aiden said was chimed by Karenina. "He really is an Elderich, isn't he?"

In the Cherub cockpit, Karenina said with a smile. She waited for Aiden's reaction. What would the captain say next after she said that Aiden was actually an Elderich-Wildemann?

So far, Karenina herself had only heard rumors that Aiden was an Elderich. However, for a long time, he used his mother's family name. Now, she wants to get confirmation about it.

"Yes, they said he's like his great-grandfather who talks about formulas with those scientists from Klien Industries every day," Aiden finally answered.

From where she was, Karenina smiled faintly with satisfaction. He had confirmed for himself that the leader of the Pyros squadron was an Elderich. Aiden said again as he continued to practice aiming with his robot's beam rifle.

"People say, Aubrey is daddy's child, I'm mommy's favorite. But that's not actually the case. Aubrey fights, I intervene. When it was my turn to fight, Aubrey also came forward. Our childhood was happy, Karenina. Until in the end, our father's image was tarnished."

Until now, Gunther was considered a 'stain' in the Elderich family. Previously, he was a UEF officer. Until one day, he was thrown into prison for a murder case.

After a year behind bars, Gunther came out and was stripped of his membership as a UEF officer. This has become controversial everywhere. Many people think that he was able to escape punishment because he came from one of the families that founded the colony.

The Elderich family had a lot of money. Of course. They hold the Mega Armor technology license and still receive royalties from Klein Industries, Abelman Corp, including Benedict Engineering.

Stripped of his UEF membership, Gunther was known as someone who loved partying, drinking, gambling, and everything related to wasting money.

"Is that the reason why you... hate your father, Aiden?" Karenina asked carefully.

Silenced in the cockpit while the technician was doing something during his training session, Aiden took a few breaths before answering Karenina's question.

"I… I don't hate him. I could never hate Gunther Elderich. Even my mother was still madly in love with him. It's just... it's like he had made the Elderich family lose their honor."

Gunther's track record is what ultimately encouraged Aiden to pursue a career at UEF. Because, he wants to replace his father, who was previously predicted to be the first descendant of Elderich who would become a high-ranking UEF officer and even the leader of Stella Polaris.

These are all the things that make Aiden now a very ambitious person. Then, at Gunther's own suggestion, he and his wife let their children live independently on Earth, not at Cloudbase, using only their mother's family name until now.

"Where does Master Elderich live now, Aiden?" asked Karenina.

"Actually…, he lives here in New Haven."

"He's here?!"

"Yes, he is. But he wandered here and there enjoying his money and investment results, visiting mother at Cloudbase. At least, he continues to work for the sake of his family and loves his wife," said Aiden, trying to be a little humorous.

"Do you feel awkward when you meet your father?" Karenina asked again and Aiden answered.

"The day I was promoted to captain, me, Aubrey, my mom, and my dad celebrate it together. I really don't want to talk too much in front of him."

"Be kind to Master Elderich, Aiden. I've heard stories about him in the past. I was surprised to hear that. But no matter what, he is your father."

"I already promised. Maybe in the near future, I want to restore my relationship with papa."

Aiden's words made Karenina smile. He commented, "You should, Aiden. You Should."

"So that I can be like Aubrey. Because it seems you have become a fan of my little brother," Aiden joked, causing Karenina to laugh out loud in her cockpit.

Since being appointed as Victor's trusted person to run the only Rochellium utilization technology company in the world, Aubrey is now occasionally contacted by one of the most influential people at Cloudbase.

"I have met several representatives of neutral countries. They all confirmed that they did not intend to increase their Rochellium intake. In fact, I was dragging them out by asking: 'Is there anything they need'."

That's what Victor said in his message. Aubrey replied, "So you can be sure they didn't use Rochellium as Mega Armor's fuel, Uncle?"

"We really can't confirm that. But steady use shows that they are not wasting it."

"That means we have to forget about guessing that the new Mega Armors belonging to ELC are smuggled from neutral countries?"

"You can say that."

"So, in your opinion: the one that produced those Mega Armors is still our main suspect, Uncle?"

For the time being, Aubrey's message has not been answered. But then, Victor responded again to his right hand at his company.

"For now. It could be that they got Rochellium from United Earth member countries but that needs a more in-depth investigation. There must be a trusted third party to dig it up."

"Maybe we can look for someone from the media? They are bolder and can infiltrate anywhere," Aubrey conveyed his suggestion.

"Good idea, Aubrey. Now I have to meet the United Earth of American Nations trade attaché. They said they needed more Rochellium supplies."

"Is that sound a little bit suspicious, Uncle?"

"That's why I wanted to hear from them first. What makes the American nation want to increase our fuel imports? I will contact you later."

Aubrey and Victor's conversation ends. At that time, Aubrey was in the Starium Boulevard area, which is an area in New Haven where there are rows of cafes on the right and left sides of the road.

Tourists like to enjoy the atmosphere on Starium Boulevard, which has an artificial river in the middle.

While occasionally paying attention to her tablet device, Aubrey entered a café called 'Uncle's Barn' which was designed like a traditional village tavern. However, it has a modern-minimalist interior layout.

As soon as he stepped into the outdoor area of Uncle's Barn, a man occupying one of the tables there stood up. Aubrey approached the man.

"You damn geek!" as he said, Riker greeted Aubrey who smiled faintly.

"I think you are in Bali right now, tried to pick up a MILF at a beach," said Aubrey.

"Still trying. I'm a bit picky, you know? How about you? How many college girls have you slept with?"

"Only one."

"Ha ha ha…! I know you are a professional playboy, Bro!"

The two young men shook hands tightly, then hugged each other and exchanged laughter.