"Are you watching TV?" Gunther asked his close friend, Victor von Rochelle.
"Of course. Did you think I wouldn't support a fellow colony leader?" Victor replied jokingly, smiling as he sipped his coffee.
"My wife's family are colony leaders too, yet they think Saba's visit here is ridiculous."
"That's exactly the point. Since he's going to put on a show, we all want to watch him, don't we?"
Many people supported Cloudbase's bid for independence from United Earth. In reality, however, most of them gave little thought to the political ramifications; they simply wanted to get into space, hoping to find better opportunities there.
After all, civilians had never been able to move in and out of the colony with ease. Obtaining a visa involved navigating layers of bureaucracy: approval from the founding nation's embassy and the colony's administrative government, followed by an interview with United Earth officials.
Naturally, those who didn't look at the bigger picture dismissed this as a scheme by the UE to serve its own interests. Yet, Cloudbase maintained its own set of regulations for visitors—and even stricter ones for those wishing to settle in the colony permanently.
"I'll be heading over soon to pick you and Elxi up, Vic. Are you two ready?" Gunther asked.
"Don't you want to stay and watch the rest of Saba's speech? After all, she and her friends are using your family name to champion their independence, Gunther," Victor teased.
"They use the name 'Elderian' because your family name has literally become a source of energy, Vic," Gunther replied, prompting a chuckle from Victor.
Meanwhile, Elxi was getting ready, knowing that Gunther would soon arrive to pick her and her father up. The plan was for her to have lunch that day with the person who was meant to lead the Elderich family—along with his son; Aubrey, of course.
The man who had initiated the vision and mission for the colony to stand independently—breaking away from both its founding nation and the United Earth—was none other than Anzel Elderich, the great-grandfather of Aiden and Aubrey.
That is why supporters of the colony's independence now call themselves 'Elderians.' In his time, he was a figure of immense respect; Anzel had been a former UEF officer and the leader of Cloudbase Euro-2, or the Charlemagne.
"We have done so much for Earth. Look around you. Who created the Mega Armor and its weaponry? Who discovered Rochellium? Who made it possible for Cloudbase to sustain Earth? It was all our past leaders!"
By then, Saba Chanturia had already begun his speech. He spoke passionately before the United Earth Secretary-General and representatives from every nation, including the neutral ones.
From time to time, his supporters—who were, in fact, people from Earth—cheered and applauded as he delivered his rhetoric.
"The colony needs to keep growing. That is why we need you—our brothers and sisters—to be part of that development, which will also drive progress for Earth.
"So, once Cloudbase stands independent, we will invite you, my brothers and sisters, to come to space. Earth has grown too old. Let us preserve it together by easing its burden from 'up there'!"
Naturally, parts of Saba's speech drew cheers of support from those who dreamed of building a future for themselves on Cloudbase.
"Let's work for the colony…!"
"Space is the future…!"
"Long live Cloudbase…!"
"Independence for the colony…!"
Meanwhile, inside The Chamber, Aubrey was watching Saba's speech on television alongside her colleagues and Araia Benedict. He watched the broadcast while staying busy on his tablet.
"Saba really knows how to work a crowd. It's as if he's drumming up support by dangling the promise that life on Cloudbase will be far more enjoyable than it is here," Araia remarked, a playful, unserious look on her face.
"If the colony gains independence, will we move there too, Ms. Bennedict?" Zen asked casually.
"That's not a decision I can make. My father decides that—unless, of course, the colony's leadership wants us to open a branch there."
As she spoke, Aria glanced at Aubrey. Consequently, Zen, Jarett Williamson, and Aria's staff members all turned their eyes toward the young Elderich.
"Zerachiel's left arm has a reach of fifty meters..." Aubrey murmured, looking thoughtful. Then, he realised the others were looking at him.
It turned out he had been listening to the conversation all along. He responded,
"Permission to open a Mega Armor factory in the colony depends on Klein Industries—specifically, whether or not they can meet the local demand for Mega Armor. If they can't, there's a possibility that a factory from Earth might open a branch there. Or, the colony might simply open a new factory of its own."
Aubrey's calm, composed answer made everyone present exchange smiles.
"That's my boss!" Zen quipped to his friends, while Aria chuckled.
At the New Haven Earth Convention, the hearing between United Earth officials and Saba had concluded. The colony senator then opened a Q&A session with the attendees.
In reality, the UE had invited Saba to ensure that the Elderians wouldn't become a group that might eventually spawn a separatist movement—something that could cause trouble for the colony.
Upon arriving at the New Haven Earth Convention plaza, Saba seized the opportunity to address his supporters once more. "I have laid out all the reasons why the Elderians feel the time has come for the colony to stand on its own. Surely, the United Earth authorities must understand that this is not an act of rebellion, but a step toward advancing the world!"
Naturally, Saba's remarks were met with a thunderous reception, particularly from the protesters advocating for the colony's independence.
After all, regardless of how Cloudbase framed its desire to break free from Earth's government, those who loathed the United Earth administration saw them as a potential opposition force against the so-called "rulers of the world."
Even so, not all of the colony's leadership supported the Elderians. While they hoped Cloudbase would one day become a "second Earth," the road to achieving that goal remained long and arduous.
"Thank you for your support; I am certain your brethren 'up there' deeply appreciate your actions as well. I will convey your greetings to the others once I return to space tomorrow," Saba concluded.
Amidst cheers and applause, he walked back toward the limousine that awaited him—looking every bit the independence hero who had just accomplished his initial mission—before stepping inside the vehicle that would whisk him away.
The motorcade carrying Saba made its way through the deserted metropolitan area of New Haven. But then, suddenly...
BOOM...!
The vehicle carrying Saba Chanturia was destroyed by an explosion. Naturally, the entire convoy accompanying it came to an abrupt halt.
Seemingly unconcerned for their own safety—even as their ears still rang from the blast—the UEF soldiers scrambled out of their vehicles, weapons at the ready.
Their leader, meanwhile, stood stunned, overcome with emotion. He immediately made contact via his wireless communicator.
"This is Cerberus-One… Oh my God… We've just lost 'the Meteor'. I repeat, we've lost the… the freaking Meteor! For crying out loud…!"
***