Kay wore an unzipped black jacket and black pants which contrasted sharply against his white shirt.
"Come with me." Arthur turned right.
"…Okay?" Kay followed behind.
They walked for a while before reaching another room. Arthur stopped and knocked on the door. After a few moments, he felt a gaze from behind the door. Then, the door opened. Amelia greeted them with a bright smile. She wore a yellow hoodie with black pants.
"Hello, captain…and Kay? What brings you here?"
"A little chat." Arthur replied.
"Okay?" Amelia stepped aside, letting the duo into his room.
They entered the apartment, and Amelia sat them down on her bed while she sat down on his chair.
"So?" Amelia urged. "What news have you brought?"
"It's about the expedition…" Arthur replied.
Amelia perked up while Kay remained indifferent.
"The forbidden continent's expedition?" Kay asked.
"Yes, it's starting in a week." Arthur answered.
"Anything else?" Amelia straightened himself.
Arthur hunched over, clasped his hands and put them on his mouth.
'Do we have any other agenda…'
After a few moments of contemplation, he straightened his back and snapped his fingers.
"Right! We also must welcome to first unit of the special ops division of the UEOC as well as the supreme commander in 3 days." Arthur replied.
"Who are going to present in that assembly?" Kay placed his head on his palm.
"Probably…the entire special ops." Amelia guessed.
"Including the commander, general…and supreme commander. It's going to be a big assembly." Arthur added.
Amelia and Kay nodded as the lieutenant general stood up.
"Well… you two prepare for the expedition and Don't be late for the assembly." Arthur exited the room.
Kay and Amelia's eyes followed him out of the room. Their eyes lingered there for a few moments. Amelia turned towards Kay whose gaze was fixed on the door.
"Hey." Amelia called out.
Kay flinched and turned his head. "What?"
"Want to play chess?" Amelia asked.
"…Okay." Kay replied.
Amelia took out a wooden chessboard from her drawer and stood up. She opened the chess board and dropped all of the pieces. She and Kay put each piece in its respective spot. Amelia was white and Kay was Black.
Kay muttered, "You always play white."
"Someone's got to make the first move," Amelia replied.
***
3 days later...
At the Kharagen international airport, rows of soldiers stood at attention. They all wore red uniforms with black and silver accents. The first unit was at the front of the rows, between the rows of soldiers was a large red carpet that stretched to the entrance of the airport. Nobody else was present, all other flights had been closed for the arrival of the UEOC special ops division's first unit. Arthur, Chris, and Lancelot were near the front of the carpet waiting…
Arthur and Chris had their hands behind their back while Lancelot had his in his pockets. After a few minutes, a plane began to descend from the sky. Its bright blue stripes sticking out of Ashland's dark atmosphere. It landed softly on the runaway and began onboarding. From the plane twenty soldiers wearing the official EOC uniform came marching out. Aside from them, two figures stood out. There was a man wearing a blue uniform with red and black accents.
He had four-star insignia on his chest just like Lancelot. He had black hair and eyes, heavy wrinkles and a thick mustache on his face. He carried a black suitcase, his aura so heavy and dense it made Arthur's chest tighten. The other person radiated even more power. She had long blonde hair, blue eyes and fair skin which starkly contrasted her outfit. She wore a dark, form-fitting leather outfit which included a leather jacket, pants and shirt made from an intricately woven fabric.
She also wore a utility belt with leather boots with soft padding which made her soundless. Her presence was dark and consuming which made Arthur and the other enforcers except for his brother. His throat became dry, and he felt like he was drowning. Suddenly, the aura disappeared, and he was able to breathe again. He composed himself and drew a deep breath.
He, Lancelot and the other enforcers stomped their feet on the ground and saluted the supreme commander.
"Greetings to the supreme commander of the United Enforcers of Chaos."
They stomped their feet again and saluted the general next.
"Greetings to the general of the special operations division of the UEOC."
Then, they stood at attention and saluted the supreme commander and general as they passed. The supreme commander and general now stood before Chris and Lancelot, their first unit behind them. The two supreme commanders locked eyes, their aura overshadowing the rest of the enforcers. Arthur and Lancelot started to sweat. The air became thick like water. Time seemed to slow down as the two faced off.
Then, the supreme commander of the UEOC stretched out her hand. Chris lowered his eyes, looking at the gesture. He smiled slightly. He took out his hand and shook hands with the other.
"It's been a long time…Nyx." Chris said.
Nyx smirked. "Same to you, Chris."
Lancelot and the general from the UEOC also shook hands but now words were spoken between them. The general took off his cap and placed it on his chest.
"David Little land, Sir Chris. I am honored to meet you." David lowered his head.
Chris neither acknowledged him nor replied. David didn't reply either, slight smiling. He put his cap back on. Nyx looked back at the officers in the assembly and noted.
"Quite the assembly, you've got…where are the apex forces?"
"We're only giving you the respect you deserve. Not less. Not more." Chris said.
Nyx tilted her head, a wide grin curling across her lips out of amusement.
"Oh~, thank you then~ I'm flattered."
"Shut your mouth and follow." Chris turned around.
Lancelot, David and Nyx followed Chris to a black car waiting for them outside. Arthur's heart was pounding, trying to break out of his chest. He heaved a sigh of relief.
'That was…stressful.'
Just when his heart was setting, someone tapped him on his shoulder. His eyes dilated and he instantly turned around and hurled his fist behind him, but it was caught by an enforcer. He had light brown hair and green eyes. He was slightly taller than him and wore the same black outfit like him.
"Lieutenant General of the UEOC's Special Ops Division — Matthew Gillespie, Nice to meet you."