The Chamber

Devon and his friends could only stare as Aubrey's muscle car left the New Haven Space Era University parking lot.

"This is all your fault, Devon!" one of Devon's crew commented in regret while holding his bleeding nose which was broken by Aubrey's fist.

Aubrey is a New Haven Space Era University alumnus. He is a student at the faculty of Defense Technology Systems, majoring in Mega Armor Technology Development.

Then Aubrey met Marie-Ellen, his fashionable junior with a wide circle of friends, and a part-time worker at a well-known fashion and lifestyle media company. At first, Aubrey thought that Marie-Ellen didn't like him at all. Because according to Aubrey himself, he is a simple-style kind of guy. 

What Aubrey thought about himself was not entirely true. He is actually a trendy-looking dark-haired Eurasia-faced man with blue eyes. No wonder Marie Ellen chose to have a relationship with him. Now, they have been lovers for about 4 months.

One more thing that makes Marie-Ellen choose Aubrey to become her boyfriend. Her lover is a bright-headed guy.

"If the enemy uses Rochellium, there is a possibility that his speed will be above average..., but it also depends on the design. He must be aerodynamic enough to support his movement..."

While Aubrey's muttering, his cell phone which was standing on the dashboard of his car rang. Can see who called him, Aubrey immediately received the call.

"Yes, Ms. Benedict?"

"Aubrey, are you on your way to The Chamber yet?"

"Will be there in… 15 minutes."

"Nice. I wanted to tell you this later after you arrived at the Chamber, but I couldn't bear to tell you this."

From his cell phone, Aubrey could hear Ms. Benedict's voice tone. The woman was somewhere between excited but also sounded cautious. 

"What's wrong, Ms. Benedict?"

"I just received further information about the incident at Edison yesterday."

"What is it?"

"First. ELC's Mega Armor can transform into Ride Armor."

Hearing what Ms. Benedict was saying to him, Aubrey took a silent for a while. His face looked like he was thinking. "What's the second one?" he is asking his boss.

"Abelman Corp claimed that the Mega Armor was theirs and stolen while carrying out feasibility tests at Edison," Ms. Benedict answered.

As Ms. Benedict mentioned Abelman Corp, Aubrey's eyes, which were covered by his glasses, turned fierce. 

During the fight earlier, his expression didn't show that he was angry or anything. But now, he looked as if he was bothered.

"Ah, I see. Alright, Ms. Benedict. Shall we continue talking in The Chamber?"

"Okay. I will wait for your arrival."

After talking with his superior, Aubrey moved his Mustang gear stick, then the car sped off faster than before.

FROOOOM!

The Chamber is the name for Benedict Engineering's Mega Armor development laboratory. Previously, Arthur Benedict's company was a weapons factory for Mega Armor and other combat vehicles including Ride Armor.

5 years ago, an investor injected very large funds into Benedict Engineering. Now, they are one of the main Mega Armor suppliers on Earth and UEF is their regular customer.

"Abelman Corp's confession made my father a little upset..."

"We also have a transformable Mega Armor prototype, Ms. Benedict. The difference with Abelman Corp is that their robot was stolen, while we chose to keep it a secret."

"I told your 'Uncle Arthur' about what you are saying, but he still acted like he wanted to kill Bennett Abelman."

Araia is the daughter of Arthur, the youngest of the Benedict children. Her brother is busy with his own business and has become a socialite, while the ambivert Araia prefers to be the Managing Director of her family's company.

The superior and subordinate chatted as they headed to the front of The Chamber. Just as they arrived at the terrace of the building with a futuristic design, a bright sedan stopped in front of the two of them.

A man with half-white hair, wearing a brown checkered jacket and classic-style glasses got out of the vehicle.

"Father," said Araia followed by Aubrey.

"Good morning, Mr. Benedict."

"Hey, kiddos. Are you ready to work because of Bennett Abelman's stupidity?"

Arthur's greeting made Araia and Aubrey look at each other for a moment. Arthur walked past the two, and then Aubrey, his daughter, and his staff caught up with him.

"Do you know something we don't?" Araia asked.

"Bennett Abelman let his robot stolen, then Kalvin Windsor suddenly contacted me, he made small talk and finally asked: 'Do you have anything to match the rebel's Mega Armor?'"

Even though Arthur seemed to be feeling annoyed, Araia could still chuckle silently because of her father's words. She turned to Aubrey, who was smiling so thinly that it was almost imperceptible.

Arthur continued, "Actually I wanted to say to Kalvin: 'Just ask Aubrey, he is our mecha designer'. But because your status here is special, boy, I can't say that to him," he spoke while tilting his head towards Aubrey.

The three stopped walking, as did Arthur's assistants who were walking behind them. 

"So now, I am the one who is asking you. Do we have anything that Chancellor Windsor meant?" said Arthur to Aubrey.

For a moment, Aubrey took a breath and then answered, "Yes we have, sir," he said while adjusting the position of his glasses.

Aubrey's answer made Arthur smile faintly. He said again, "Good. Because after Kalvin, UEF's public relations officer called me. Stella Polaris will hunt down the enemy's Mega Armor and we must provide them with everything we got."

***

The Earth's Mansion does not live up to its name. The large white, renaissance-style building is the headquarters of the United Earth Force.

In the mission briefing room at Earth's Mansion that morning, General William Russo; Commander of the UEF, Brigadier General Blake Hartley; commander of Stella Polaris, and other top Earth military officials gathered there.

Together with them, there were also Lieutenant Colonel Alexis Saunders, Captain Aiden Wildemann, and Special Lieutenant Karenina Windsor.

"Now the enemy has Mega Armor which can transform and use Rochellium fuel. If this wasn't a case of theft, Bennett Abelman should have been penalized," Major General Patrick Karsten, Commander of the UEF Earth Force said angrily.

"He gave ELC a gift. What a hassle," said Lieutenant General Miroslav Ilyakov. The bald-headed man is the Commander of UEF Space Commando.

While the high-ranking officers were talking, a large hologram screen in the middle of the capsule-shaped table was showing footage of yesterday's incident at Cloudbase Edison.

"If Bennet Abelman had a special affinity for the UE, I doubt he would be punished. Lex, as someone who was in the field when the incident occurred, what are your thoughts on this?" William Russo asked Alexis Saunders.

"What happened on DS-2119-2 yesterday was most likely very well planned. In fact, there were people protecting the thief."

"Captain Wildemann, please state your opinion," said William.

Aiden, who had been sitting upright, answers, "They are quite well trained, Sir. The 'Silver Bogey' can transform into Ride Armor, which means the pilot has had more than enough training to master a transformable Mega Armor."

"Do you think members of the military were involved in it?" asked Brigadier General Jakup Berkowicz, UEF Military Police Commissioner.

"I don't think so, Sir. They used standard guerrilla tactics like those often used by the ELC. Moreover, I believe in the credibility and loyalty of UEF soldiers," said Aiden. Jakup pulled the corners of his lips down as he nodded once.

"Lieutenant Windsor?" William asked.

"I just highlight that our opponents are a well-trained and organized group. What I have in my mind now is: that they are already on Earth. What they plan to do next," answered Karenina.

What Karenina said made everyone in the room look at each other. Meanwhile, Aiden stared at Karenina who was sitting across from him then he smiled, and so did Karenina.

The UEF officials' meeting with their soldiers has ended. Prioritizing their leaders to leave the mission briefing room first, Aiden and Karenina walked hand in hand, slightly behind the others.

"I know you are one of the female graduates of Fort Steele with the highest Mega Armor Special Strategy score. But the assignment with ESTOS was a surprise," said Aiden with a smile.

Karenina turned to the man next to her. Her smile made her beauty even more obviously revealed. The look on her face no longer shows that she is one of the best graduates of the UEF military academy who is mastering the Mega Armor Special Strategy.

"That's why they call me a: 'rare species'. This is the best opportunity that has come my way since graduated from Fort Steele. So, why not?" Karenina replied.

"I'm so proud of you. Actually, I could be jealous of you. But since it was you wearing that…"

Aiden didn't finish his sentence. His eyes took a glance at the fierce gaping-mouthed white wolf's head badge on the left sleeve of Karenina's uniform.

"… Lupus Squadron's banner, I'm happy for you," Aiden continued his words while smiling kindly.

"Karenina, Aiden, we will go to The Chamber tomorrow. They have something special to show us!" Miroslav told his soldiers.

"Yes, Sir!" Aiden and Karenina replied firmly at the same time.