"What do you mean?" Aubrey asked Zen, adjusting her glasses.
"You really don't know who's going to pilot Zerachiel?" Zen replied with a question of his own, finishing with a faint, playful smile.
"I'd rather not say that this particular MA-X was configured to be piloted by me..."
As Aubrey spoke, Zen's smile widened. After all, he was admitting that the pinkish Mega Armor seemed to have been designed specifically for him.
"...My father instructed me to build a Mega Armor that... I would pilot. So, I simply built it the way he wanted. As for who would actually pilot it later—whether it would be me or someone else—I couldn't say for sure," Aubrey continued.
Aside from Araia and Arthur Benedict—and even Arthur's own son was unaware—the investor who had poured massive amounts of capital into Benedict Engineering was none other than Gunther Elderich.
Even Aiden had no idea that his father—a man of immense wealth who chose to live a simple life—was actually the driving force behind Benedict Engineering's current success.
It was unclear whether his wife knew, but one thing was certain: Gunther had shared this information with his youngest child.
Aubrey's role at the company was essentially that of a director representing the financier, serving as a Mega Armor designer. Yet the staff held him in high regard, largely because of his family background.
Riker himself viewed his friend as nothing more than a freelancer handling minor tasks there.
"Say what you will, Mr. Elderich-Wildemann... the fact remains that Zerachiel was designed to match your piloting style with Mega Armor. So, I'm afraid... your explanation doesn't convince me that anyone else would be the one piloting it."
Zen spoke with a playful, teasing expression directed at his superior. Aubrey turned back to him, a faint smile touching his lips. He took another sip of his coffee and said,
"If an emergency arises... well, I'll have no choice but to pilot the MA-X myself."
"Just as I thought. We are in an emergency situation right now. I can't wait to see you inside Zerachiel," Zen added, sounding genuinely cheerful.
Aubrey didn't respond to his colleague's words. He simply fell silent, gazing at Zerachiel—who was fully equipped with the Rochellium Turbine.
He was deep in thought. It seemed Gunther Elderich was aware of the events unfolding in the Space Era these days. He had taken preemptive measures well in advance. One such move was becoming an investor in Benedict Engineering.
While his older brother harbored resentment toward their father, Aubrey knew something that Aiden did not.
During the celebration of Aiden's promotion, Aubrey and his father stepped aside from Aurora and Aiden for a serious conversation. That was when Gunther revealed something to his youngest son.
"The man I killed wasn't just anyone, Aubrey. He was incredibly dangerous. Yet, the UEF made it look as though I had made a mistake."
"Why would they do that, Dad?"
"I can't tell you right now, because, frankly, I still lack the facts to prove that what I did was actually to prevent something worse from happening."
When her father said that the other day, Aubrey remained silent. But then, Gunther spoke to her again.
"Aubrey, we are the Elderichs. In other words, we are the ones who designed the Space Age, along with the von Rochelles, and so was your mother's family." Gunther paused to sip his beer, then continued.
"So, if something bad happens because of what we've done, it's our responsibility to fix it. You want to help Dad with that, right?"
Without thinking, Aubrey immediately nodded in response to Gunther's words. "Yes, Dad. I'm ready to help."
At that time, Aubrey and Gunther were chatting on the balcony of their hotel suite. The conversation ended when Aurora appeared and spoke to them.
"The turkey is ready, little Elderich, my husband. Come, it's time for dinner!"
***
The next day, at the New Haven Earth's Convention Center, a commotion was unfolding in front of the city's largest multipurpose complex. Reporters and civilians alike had gathered in the area.
Mingling among them were peaceful protesters chanting slogans against the United Earth and the United Earth's Force.
"Let the colonies stand on their own…!"
"Stop the UEF's military arrogance toward Cloudbase and neutral territories!"
"Rochellium for everyone!"
The protesters carried signs displaying their demands. Finally, a convoy of military vehicles appeared, entering the vast main courtyard of the New Haven Earth's Convention Center.
Upon seeing the vehicles bearing the United Earth Force flag, the protesters jeered in unison.
"BOOO…!"
Then, another convoy arrived. Led by military vehicles and a heavy security detail, a black limousine entered the New Haven Earth Convention complex. This time, the demonstrators' reception was vastly different.
"Independence for Cloudbase…!"
"The colony will stand on its own, free from UEF interference…!"
"Long live Elderian…! Long live Elderian…!"
"Remember the Eden…!"
The limousine halted dozens of meters from the civilians and demonstrators. A man with slicked-back hair and a beard stepped out of the luxury vehicle; he cut a dashing, commanding figure.
The civilians greeted his appearance with applause, while the demonstrators looked upon him as a man who truly embodied their aspirations.
"Mr. Chanturia… free Cloudbase from the UE's grip…!"
"Don't let United Earth dictate to you, sir…!"
"Defend the colony's rights, Mr. Chanturia…!"
"Don't let Cloudbase remain in the UEF's clutches…!"
The man being hailed by the demonstrators was Saba Chanturia. He was a senator representing Cloudbase Euro-3—commonly known as Canute.
Saba took a moment to wave both hands at the demonstrators. Then, without hesitation, he walked toward the crowd, causing his security detail and the media crew to scramble to keep up with him.
Upon arriving before the demonstrators, Saba spoke: "My fellow citizens, thank you for supporting my presence here. I feel energized knowing that supporters of colony independence are with me."
At the hotel where Elxi and Victor were staying, the father-daughter duo watched Saba's arrival on television. Although Saba was a fellow high-ranking official at Cloudbase, Victor watched the broadcast with a complex expression.
"Why did he choose to come here, Dad? Mr. Chanturia could have held a dialogue via space-based telecommunications, yet he went to the trouble of delivering a speech in person before the UE leaders," Elxi said, sounding like she was complaining.
"I asked him if it wouldn't be better to just use the space-based link. But he said: 'We mustn't let Elderian be seen as cowards by United Earth'... I don't know. It's up to him, I suppose!" Victor replied, grumbling slightly.
Saba Chanturia was a prominent figure from Elderian—a faction of Cloudbase leaders who had recently been vigorously advocating for the colonies to become independent nations.
That day, Saba had come to the New Haven Earth Convention to deliver a speech before his supporters, neutral nations, and, of course, United Earth delegates. Even United Earth Secretary-General Malika Hemsworth was in attendance.
Victor's phone rang. He took the device from his trouser pocket and glanced at the screen for a moment before answering the call.
"Yes, Gunther?"