Meanwhile, at the GDA headquarters in New Leviathan City, Bradley was reporting everything to Heindrich. "Brak," Heindrich suddenly stood up.
"So you're saying... those kids are in Abomination City? And they're interfering with our plan?" Heindrich asked.
"That's correct, Commander. They suddenly attacked us before we could get the draugr who are with us to attack the city and allow us to pretend to protect them. Five of our GEARs were destroyed," Bradley said.
"Damn it! We coordinated this entire plan with Queen Marion so we could get that clone technology. If this is the case, we have to come up with a new strategy," Heindrich said, annoyed.
"Not only that, Commander, look," Bradley said, showing his tablet, which displayed the form of the Chimaera GZX.
Heindrich stared at it, his mouth agape, and instantly turned pale. Then he looked at Bradley in front of him.
"So... they've gathered together, all six of them? And that robot is in the same form it was seventy years ago?" Heindrich asked.
"That's right, Commander. This picture was taken by our soldiers in the field before they retreated," Bradley replied.
"This is a big problem... I have to report this to Queen Marion. The world is in danger," Heindrich said.
"Understood, Commander. I'll be leaving now," Bradley said.
After Bradley left, Heindrich sat down in his chair and pressed a button on the armrest. The floor beneath him opened, and the chair descended into a tube-like lift. "Jegleg," the chair stopped, and in front of Heindrich was a large monitor in a dark, private room.
"Bwuuung," the monitor lit up, displaying a throne and a beautiful Queen who looked barely twenty years old, with golden hair, grayish-black skin, black eyes, and curved horns on her head. The Queen was sitting on her throne, resting her cheek on her hand and crossing her legs.
"Heindrich, why are you contacting me?" the Queen asked with a loud, terrifying voice.
"We have to talk. I'll explain everything, Queen Marion," Heindrich said.
Heindrich immediately explained his reason for contacting the Queen. Marion's face, which had looked relaxed before, suddenly tensed up. She adjusted her posture to sit upright and stared intensely at the monitor, making Heindrich slightly flinch.
"You said they've all gathered, all six of them? How is that possible? Didn't you have one of them detained?" Marion asked.
"A few days ago, they escaped from my city," Heindrich answered.
"You idiot! Fine, I will deal with them. Immediately get that clone technology. I need it to make food for my people. Now go!" Marion roared loudly and terrifyingly in her fury.
"Yes, my Queen. Forgive my powerlessness," Heindrich said.
"For now, I will spare you and your human race, but do not let this happen again. Understand?" Marion said.
"Understood, my Queen," Heindrich replied.
"Plip," the monitor went dark.
"Fuuuh," Heindrich leaned back in his chair in relief, then pressed the button again to return upstairs. While ascending,
"Huh... this is good for humanity. Let them destroy each other, and then we'll take what's left. I have to get that clone technology," Heindrich thought, staring at the opening above that was getting closer.
***
A few days later, the time was 7:00 AM. Cole, Celes, Cyrus, Calista, and Charlotte, wearing nose-piercings to eliminate their scent, were walking down the sidewalk in school uniforms along with Layla.
"Hey... why are we going to school again?" Celes protested.
"You said you wanted to work in this city, but you don't have a diploma or a degree, right? So, you have to go to school until you graduate. Right, Layla?" Charlotte said.
"That's right, Mom," Layla replied cheerfully.
"But why are you going to school too? Shouldn't you be helping Calvin at his office?" Calista asked.
"I don't have a diploma or a degree either, and I'd only be a hassle if I worked for him, so... I'm joining you guys, hehe," Charlotte answered.
"Haaah... I was enjoying myself in my room these past few days, playing online games on the new console and PC, watching D-tube and looking at social media, reading comics... I don't want to go out," Cyrus grumbled.
"You were cooped up in the Chimaera GZX for five years, and now you want to lock yourself in your room again? You're going to turn into a useless human being, you know. Come on, cheer up," Cole said, patting Cyrus on the back.
"Besides, there are bound to be a lot of people at school... a lot of bullying. I really don't want to, and all of that is just not me," Cyrus complained.
"You need to learn to socialize... or at least meet other people. Don't keep isolating yourself," Cole said.
"Do you socialize, Cole? Didn't you say you went to school in your city?" Calista asked.
"Of course... not," Cole answered.
"See? He can advise others, but he doesn't do it himself. Lame," Cyrus countered, annoyed.
"Hehe... when I first met Cole, he was silent at school and only spoke to me," Celes said.
"Oh, is that right... and what do you mean he only spoke to you?" Calista asked sharply.
"Hehe... because he belongs to me. So what are you going to do about it?" Celes asked sharply.
"He is not yours. Don't talk nonsense," Calista replied sharply.
"Huh... who's talking nonsense? Cole is mine," Celes countered sharply.
"Are you looking for a fight, then?" Calista asked with a sharp, cynical smile.
"Come at me. You think I'm scared of you?" Celes replied with a sharp, cynical smile.
The two immediately glared at each other, ready to fight. Cole and Cyrus immediately shook their heads.
"Enough! We're going to school, stop fighting! And you're always fighting over Cole. Don't embarrass me in front of Layla!" Charlotte yelled, separating Celes and Calista.
"Shut up, you fatso," Celes and Calista yelled, crossing their arms over their chests and walking while looking away from each other.
"Wh-what? Who's a fatso?" Charlotte asked.
"You, who else?" Celes and Calista yelled.
"What do you mean, fatso, huh... explain yourselves!" Charlotte yelled.
The three finally went back to arguing as they walked. Cole and Cyrus, who were holding Layla's hand to keep her away, walked ahead. Layla turned to look behind her, then asked,
"Are they always like that, Uncle Cole and Uncle Cyrus?" Layla asked.
"Yeah, pretty much," Cole replied.
"That's why you shouldn't get close to them. Just let them be; they'll sort themselves out eventually... and don't call me 'Uncle,' I'm not used to it," Cyrus said.
"Oh, okay," Layla replied.
"We're going to school together. It's weird if you call us 'Uncle,'" Cyrus added.
"Hehe, that's true. But what should I call you then?" Layla asked.
"Anything but 'Uncle'... you can use our names," Cyrus answered.
"Including Mom?" Layla asked.
"Yeah, including your mom," Cole replied briefly.
"Hehe, okay, I get it," Layla said.
Finally, Cole, Cyrus, and Layla walked ahead, occasionally looking back to monitor Celes, Calista, and now Charlotte, arguing... who knows what they were arguing about.