Chapter 59: Commanders

Zolstein

I kept finding myself glancing outside the skyscraper we had taken over and turned into our temporary base of operations. There had been a storm brewing, but something had suddenly snuffed it out. Had someone formed that storm? It formed rapidly was heading straight toward this city. Who or what had stopped it? And why? 

My eyes went to the sky as a ship from Titanos made its way over. It bore the insignia of Commander Yusan's division.

The ship landed in the plaza just outside the city.

A red-haired man walked off the ship and smirked, looking up at the tower as if he owned the place.

Yusan... that guy had always rubbed me the wrong way ever since I met him.

I turned away from the window, my mind swirling with thoughts. Yusan was here, and although he was a fellow commander of Titanos, his unexpected arrival was concerning. His reputation for unpredictability and his knack for playing his own hand made me wary.

"Zolstein," a voice called out, pulling my attention away from the tower. I turned to see Keiran, my second-in-command, approach me. He glanced out the window, his gaze landing on Yusan. "So, he's finally shown up."

I nodded, my hand absentmindedly running over the hilt of Zeklos. "It seems so."

Keiran crossed his arms, his gaze thoughtful. "Should we go down to welcome him?"

I considered his words, my gaze drifting back to Yusan. He stood there, a confident smirk on his face as he looked up at our tower. Despite his status as an ally, I couldn't shake off the feeling of unease.

"Not yet," I finally said, shaking my head. "Let's observe for a while. I want to know why he's here."

Keiran looked at me, surprise flickering in his eyes. "But Zolstein—"

"I know what you're thinking, Keiran," I interrupted, my gaze still fixed on Yusan. "But we need to be smart about this. Yusan doesn't do anything without a reason."

Keiran hesitated, but finally nodded. "Understood, Commander."

I turned away from the window, my thoughts still on Yusan. He was a puzzle, a wild card that could upset the balance of power at any given moment. And while he was technically on our side, I knew better than to let my guard down around him.

"Keiran," I called, turning to face my second-in-command. "Keep an eye on Yusan. Report to me if there's anything unusual."

Keiran nodded, saluting before heading off to carry out my orders. I watched him go before turning back to the window, my gaze landing on Yusan one last time.

This was a game of chess, and Yusan was the unpredictable knight on the board. But I was determined to stay one step ahead. To anticipate his moves, to counteract his plans.

After all, in this game, only the smartest player won. That's what my grandpa taught me.

I turned my attention back to the reports scattered on my desk.

After a while door to my office slid open. Yusan walked in, a smug grin on his face, his red hair catching the afternoon light streaming in through the windows.

"Zolstein," he greeted, his voice filled with that familiar, irritating confidence. "It's been a while."

I looked up from my desk, maintaining a neutral expression. "Yusan," I acknowledged. "To what do I owe the pleasure?"

Yusan chuckled, leaning against the door frame casually. "Can't an old friend visit without having ulterior motives?"

I raised an eyebrow, knowing Yusan well enough to sense when he was hiding something. "With you, Yusan, there's always an ulterior motive."

His grin widened, but he didn't deny my statement. Instead, he pushed off the door frame and made his way towards my desk. "Well, aren't you a suspicious one," he remarked, chuckling. "Alright, I'll cut to the chase."

He paused, his gaze meeting mine. "I'm here because I came to provide my assistance."

I hummed. "And what happened to the rebel situation on planet Edesia in Soleon?"

He chuckled. "Like a ragtag group of rebels on a backwards planet in a universe of sweaty warriors are worth spending my time on. Retra is a much bigger fish to fry."

I raised an eyebrow, my interest piqued. Yusan was infamous for his nonchalant attitude and his tendency to chase after the most thrilling, dangerous tasks. But for him to dismiss a rebellion and choose to assist us...this was indeed a surprise. 

"A bigger fish, huh?" I chuckled, leaning back in my chair. "I never took you for a man who'd back down from a challenge, Yusan."

His smirk broadened, his eyes gleaming with amusement. "Who said I'm backing down? I'm just choosing my battles wisely."

His words were light, but there was a certain gravity in his gaze that told me he wasn't here just for amusement. Yusan was reckless, but he wasn't a fool. If he thought that the situation in Retra was more important than the rebellion in Edesia, then it was something I needed to consider seriously.

"Alright, Yusan. You have my attention." I said, folding my arms over my chest. "What's your plan?"

Yusan's smirk turned into a full-fledged grin, his eyes alive with anticipation. "Oh, Zolstein," he said, a hint of excitement in his voice. "You are the one in the know here. Tell me, what planets are of interest."

I thought back to my battle with Varia. About the technology she had demonstrated. It was beyond what we Titanos had. It's why I took my time to look over whatever information I could gather about where she and her brother were from. Turned out they were from Quadra, a planet more advanced than Orginal.

"There is this one planet in a different star system from this one that piqued my interest. I fought a female captain from that world. She put on a good fight, showing off stuff even this world seems to be lacking in."

He smiled. "What kind?"

"She could heal rapidly, but I didn't sense any ki being used. It might be a technology unique to this universe. Well, at the very least it is one we lack back home."

"Interesting. And what is this world called?"

"Quadra," I replied, my gaze never leaving his. "It's a powerful planet, home to advanced technology and formidable warriors."

Yusan's eyes lit up, his grin widening. "Quadra, huh?" He echoed, leaning back against my desk. "Sounds like just the kind of place that could put up a good fight."

I sighed. "Ideally, we should focus on this star system before spreading out."

He laughed. "Relax. I won't cause you any problems. If anything, won't you be glad to have be out of your hair?"

I hummed. He wasn't wrong. I didn't like having him around. But Quadra seemed like a place that would be difficult to conquer, assuming they were all like Varia.

"Alright." He held out one of the reports on the table. "These are the star coordinates. Now, if you get yourself killed, don't blame me. Okay?"

He took it and smirked. "Do not worry, dear friend. I can handle myself."

"Speaking of friends, I heard Commander Ret went missing in Edesia. Know anything about it?"

"I got my people searching for him. We found his mecha, but no body. Knowing that guy he probably is still alive."

Something was off. He seemed to be telling the truth, but not entirely. A white lie...

"Is that so?" I mused, leaning back in my chair and studying Yusan closely. His ease was almost too practiced, his smile a little too wide. Something was definitely off. "You don't seem too concerned."

Yusan laughed, the sound bouncing off the walls of the office. "Concerned? About Ret?" He shrugged. "He's a big boy, Zolstein. He can handle himself."

I hummed, still not convinced. "I suppose so. But it's not like him to go off the radar without a word."

Yusan's smile didn't falter, but I saw something flash in his eyes. Discomfort? Guilt? I couldn't tell. 

"Maybe he's just using this incident to get in a well-deserved break," he suggested, a little too quickly. "The guy's been working non-stop for years. He's earned some downtime."

I nodded slowly, still not convinced but choosing not to push the matter further. For now. But I knew Retas wasn't the type to just take take advantage of situation like this to take a vacation.

"Perhaps," I conceded, standing up from my chair. "Just make sure to keep me updated on take over of Quadra, will you?"

Yusan raised an eyebrow, a smirk tugging at his lips. "What's this, Zolstein? Worried about me?"

I chuckled, shaking my head. "Just making sure you don't cause any trouble, Yusan."

His smirk widened, and he saluted playfully. "No promises, Commander. But I'll do my best."

I watched as he walked out of the office, the door sliding shut behind him. I couldn't shake off the feeling of unease. Yusan was hiding something, I was sure of it.

"Keiran," I called out, pressing a button on my headset.

"Yes, Commander?" Keiran's voice came through my headset.

"Keep an eye on Yusan," I instructed. "And look into Commander Ret's disappearance. Something's not right."

"Understood, Commander," Keiran replied before the line went dead.

I leaned back in my chair, my gaze drifting back to the window and the city beyond. Yusan was definitely hiding something and I intended to get to the bottom of it.