Cathedral

Following their superior's orders, Aiden and Karenina were now in their Mega Armor cockpits. Both of them are practicing using a simulator machine.

Inside his cockpit, Aiden looked very enthusiastic. He was very focused on studying the new Mega Armor designed by his younger brother.

"This robot's speed is fantastic in Skyburner mode? Great, this is the speed I want from a Mega Armor!" admires Aiden inside of his heart.

Aiden and Karenina are two new young ace pilots who are UEF's mainstay. It's not easy to become an ace pilot.

UEF soldiers have to undergo a final special test and the most difficult one is they will carry out a series of certain acrobatic maneuvers, including while shooting.

Many UEF pilots fail this special test because they feel nauseous, or their accuracy is not precise. Aiden and Karenina are two of the few UEF soldiers who are able to do it.

However, there is one civilian who can do that without any difficulties. That person is Aubrey Wildemann.

"I'm guessing you must be enjoying playing around with your new Mega Armor. Isn't that right, Aiden?"

Karenina's voice was heard through the communication device in Aiden's cockpit. Hearing Karenina's chatter, Aiden smiled and then replied.

"I was the one who almost matched the White Wolf in the maneuver accuracy test. I want to prove to you that I am that person."

Aiden didn't answer Karenina that seriously. He smiled amusedly and his face looked mischievous. Karenina responded.

"It turns out you are jealous of that handsome wolf. Before the operation at Edison he and I had lunch together at one table and I sat right next to him, isn't that romantic?"

In Cherub's cockpit, Karenina talking while glancing to the right because that's where Seraph is. Her words sounded as if she wanted to make Aiden feel jealous.

"Is that so?" said Aiden. "But we had lunch together yesterday too. You and I."

"But we are not sitting next to each other."

"We sit across to each other, it's the same, Karenina."

"No. Two people sitting next to each other seem to have a special relationship."

"Sleep next to each other in the same bed. That's just special."

"Are you flirting with me, Aiden?"

"Ahem…, ahem…!"

The sound of Aubrey clearing his throat interrupted Karenina's conversation with Aiden. Suddenly, the two young officers were shocked.

"You've been eavesdropping on our conversation, Little Brother?" Aiden asked spontaneously.

Karenina was no less panicked. "Can our conversation be heard by everyone in the monitoring room?"

"Hhhh...," the sound of Aubrey's sighing was heard. "I tapped into the private communication network so I could hear what you guys talking about, in this case, your complaints directly..."

"That's called an invasion of privacy, Boy!" Aiden snapped, not seriously.

"I'm just worried that Lieutenant Colonel Saunders heard it," Karenina added.

"Don't worry. Besides me, no one else can hear you guys," Aubrey reassured Aiden and Karenina.

In the monitoring room, Aubrey looked over his shoulder. There were several female and male operators in UEF uniforms as well as male mechanics. They smiled because of Aubrey's conversation.

Actually, they had all been listening to Aiden and Karenina's conversation. But they just don't care about it. One of the Benedict Engineering staff entered the monitoring room.

"Sorry, I'm late!"

"Where have you been, Zen?" Aubrey said.

"Finish the homework you gave me for a moment, then come here," Aubrey's friend answered with a winning smile.

Aubrey smiled faintly then he said to his elder brother and Karenina. "I just want to remind you: let me know if there is anything wrong with your robots. So, we can fix it immediately."

"Are you recording this conversation?" Aiden asked to confirm.

"Of course. So that nothing is missed," Aubrey answered casually.

"You damn stalker!" Aiden jokingly grumbled.

"Of course, by this afternoon I will listen to it again and delete everything that is not important. Especially that 'sleeping next to each other' part," Aubrey said humorously. But still, his tone was flat.

"Good boy," said Aiden.

"Aiden are you a virgin?" Aubrey asked innocently.

Aubrey's voice made Karenina, who was sitting in the cockpit, make a surprised expression. This time, she turned her head in the direction where Seraph was.

"WHAT…?!" Karenina opened her mouth hilariously without making a sound.

"Hey, hey…! Watch your mouth, Aubrey. You are talking to Captain Aiden Wildeman, commander of Pyros squadron, Stella Polaris' special multi-utility tactical unit!" Aiden reprimanded his brother.

"I didn't ask who you were at UEF, I already know it. What I'm asking is are you a virgin or not?" Aubrey replied.

Immediately, Karenina, who was sitting in the robot's control room, burst out laughing because of the conversation between Aiden and his younger brother.

"Get the hell out of my communications channel, Aubrey, and just do your thing!" Aiden snapped even though he wasn't actually angry at his little brother at all.

On the hangar balcony, Miroslav Ilyakov and Alexis Saunders were talking while smoking. Miroslav was holding his cell phone which was showing a news broadcast.

There it appears that Victor von Rochelle has just met with important EU officials and is giving a press statement.

"Yesterday's incident occurred right when Victor von Rochelle visited Earth. Do you think that incident is related to Victor's arrival?" Alexis said.

"If what you mean is that the theft of the Mega Armor intends to desecrate Victor's visit to Earth, it's very possible," Miroslav answered.

"Abelman Corp caught sleeping. Sounds like something made up," Alexis said again while taking a drag from his cigarette.

"I try not to think the way you say, Alexis. I hope they tell the truth." Miroslav said in a bitter tone.

"I heard that Edison's administrative government had evacuated some residents, especially women and children to the shuttle's launch shaft. The US-1 military is ready to launch their Mega Amors. Abelman Corp almost started a civil war."

"We are all worried that Eden's incident will happen again, Alexis. That's why you were sent there. Just in case Aiden loses his temper at that time."

The two officers exchanged brief smiles. Then, the two of them looked at the two Mega Armors displayed in front of them. Miroslav's cell phone rang. He took the time to see who contacted him.

"Public relations personnel," said Miroslav to his subordinate, then accepted the call. "Yes, Daisy?"

Alexis looked at Miroslav. He noticed his boss's expression was changing. Miroslav's eyes deepened as he heard the voice of the person calling him. He looked at Alexis who immediately knew there was something going on.

"The Mexican ELC carried out an attack on the UEF outpost in the Gulf of Mexico...," said Miroslav to Alexis. His subordinate expression also changed. Miroslav raised his hand with an open palm to Alexis, a sign that there was further news.

"Sir, we just received news, that the rebels are suspected to have 4 new types of Mega Armor."

After listening to the words of the person who contacted him, Miroslav spoke. "Okay. Please tell the General, we will embark now."

Miroslav's conversation with a public relations officer named Daisy ended. Alexis was no longer next to him. He was already on the hangar floor, giving orders. Miroslav turned to a middle-ranking female officer down there.

"Major Rushford, we're departing now. Our destination is the Gulf of Mexico!" Miroslav ordered.

"Yes, sir!"

As soon as Miroslav gave the order, there was a flurry of activity, especially in the Cathedral. It is not only civilian employees who are in The Chamber, but also UEF soldiers.

They milled about, running here and there. Mega Armor prepared. The UEF pilots entered their respective battle robots. Of course, there was the same activity happened in the monitoring room.

"What happened, Aubrey?" asked Zen, Aubrey's subordinate.

"ELC attacks the Gulf of Mexico. UEF detected the presence of 4 new Mega Armor units. Wear your battle suit," said Aubrey in his typical calm style as he stepped towards a door there.

Hearing his superior, Zen followed where Aubrey was walking. The door to the monitoring room opened. Araia Benedict comes in. Aubrey, who was preparing to go to another room, looked at her boss with a surprised look.

"Ms. Benedict, why are you here?" Aubrey asked.

"Uh..., I heard... the Gulf of Mexico was invaded by the ELC... and I want to hear the follow-up news," Araia answered innocently.

"But Cathedral is leaving now," Aubrey said simply.

"Then, I'll wear a battle suit!" Araia made sure.

The sound of the alarm and the operator's voice could be heard throughout the Cathedral while people walking and running everywhere.

BEEEP…! BEEEP…!

"Attention all personnel, Cathedral will depart soon. Pilots are required to be on standby in your Mega Armors. We will leave in 5 minutes. Destination: Gulf of Mexico!"

"Repeat, Cathedral will depart in 5 minutes. All personnel are required to stand by at their posts. All pilots please board your Mega Armors!"

The Chamber is on the cliff side of a hilly area. Now one part of the cliff opened and shifted like it was split in two. Inside it, a mothership looks ready to take off.

NNNNGGGG…!

Yes, the Cathedral is not just one of the facilities of The Chamber's structure. But a secret Capital-class aircraft carrier belonging to the UEF.