Battle Of Planets

Chapter 67: Hand them over
”Sergeant, help me!” Bee yelled, sprinting for his life as tiny spiders pursued him.Tyson sat on a large stone inside the dark cave, observing as his teammates fought the swarm, doing their utmost to keep the creatures at bay. He let out a sigh.

It would have been easier if sergeants were allowed to fight alongside their subordinates, but the rules were different. They weren’t prohibited from fighting, but their kills didn’t count. Only cadet kills were converted into score points, rendering a sergeant’s efforts practically useless on the simulated battleground.

Ken kept his pistols steady, taking accurate shots from afar, successfully eliminating spiders and accumulating points for their team. Shaun protected Lara’s back as she maneuvered through the battlefield, slicing down spiders with her twin daggers while wearing her pink-and-black metallic suit.

Each time she struck, she glanced behind her—to check if a Sergeant was impressed by her performance.

On the other side, Alex had just battled a massive spider, leaving it half-dead. However, when his teammates delivered the final blow to the towering creature—easily worth at least 20 points—they only received 4.

Alex stepped back, letting out a frustrated sigh. ”I suppose even this isn’t helping.”

”So, what happens now, Sir Alex?” a girl asked, standing just behind him.

”Please call me Sergeant,” Alex corrected. ”And you all need to hunt them down yourselves. I can’t help anymore—the simulation tracks who did the most damage.”

The girls exchanged uncertain glances. Things had been going well with Alex by their side—he had almost managed to take down countless spiders by himself. Yet, their score hardly improved; they even missed out on assist points whenever he got involved.

Now, they had to fight on their own.

----

Edward sat in his office, quietly reading the file in his hands. It contained the arguments from both Kyle’s attorney and the government’s legal team.

Blue had provided the government with everything it needed to take down those involved, bargaining for the Rogues in exchange. Edward understood that the Rogues weren’t solely responsible for what had occurred. They had been manipulated, but they stepped up and offered assistance once they realized Coco’s true intentions. This changed public perception in their favor.

The final trial was only days away. Everyone would face judgment based on their crimes and the rules. These rules varied; civilians like Kyle had their own set of consequences, while Meta-bot wearers were held to a different standard.

Given the Rogues’ assistance and the imminent threat of the Tournament, they wouldn’t face the death penalty. Instead, they would be offered choices. However, the punishment would be harsh for Kyle and the others who had directly orchestrated events. Even execution remained a possibility.

The AI flickered as it announced an incoming video call from a general in another city. Edward gave a slight nod, granting permission to receive it, before closing all the files on his desk.

He pondered which General had chosen to call him.

When Albert’s face appeared on the screen, Edward tensed. That familiar chuckle instantly got on his nerves. Albert—the third strongest human in the world—was the last person he wanted to confront.

Babylon was the third most influential city, closely followed by Elria. Similarly, Edward ranked just behind Albert, holding the fourth position.

”What do you want?” Edward asked, his voice flat.

Albert shook his head with a knowing smirk. ”You haven’t changed, Edward. I just called to check on you and see how you’re holding up after losing your friends. My condolences, by the way.”

Edward smirked, knowing Albert all too well—this man never acted without an ulterior motive. He was the same one who had caused chaos in the battle room to undermine his rival, Victor, from the same city.

”If you’re finished, I have work to do,” Edward said, preparing to end the conversation.

Albert raised a hand to stop him.

”You’ve caused me quite a headache, my friend,” Albert said, his voice calm. ”You failed to do your job properly, and because of that, the Rogues in my city dared to rise against me.” He stood from his chair, his presence commanding even through the screen. ”I had to deal with them... harshly. But still, you need to take responsibility for your mistakes.”

”Albert, I don’t have time for your games,” he said thoughtfully. ”And as for the Rogues, that’s a daily occurrence. If they fail in my city, they’ll try somewhere else. But let’s be honest—you don’t really care about that, do you? So, tell me... what do you want?”

Albert chuckled. ”Am I really that easy to read?”

Edward didn’t respond.

”Alright, I’ll be direct,” Albert said, his tone becoming more serious. ”I want Victor’s family back. Extradite them—immediately.”

Edward paused—Victor’s family.

”Why?” he asked, his tone unwavering. ”Why should I give you what you desire?”

He was aware that Albert always viewed Victor as a rival. He may have even contributed to the Research Department dismissing Victor’s work—but there was no evidence. Turning over Victor’s family felt wrong to him.

Albert sighed, leaning forward on his desk. ”Man, you’re always a pain in the neck,” he muttered before fixing Edward with a calculating gaze. ”I’m willing to offer 40,000 power stones. I know you need them to speed up construction and finish the bunkers in your city.”

Edward hesitated.

Twenty thousand power stones—an entire year’s revenue from all their mines. Unlike Babylon, Elria had only eleven mines and often relied on imports from other cities. If he accepted this deal, he could complete nearly half of the bunkers, a project that had been dragging on for years.

The offer was enticing, but the cost? That was a completely different story.

”Why do you want them, Albert?” Edward asked, his gaze intense. ”Let me guess... it’s because of the girl, right?”

Albert’s face darkened.

”So it’s true, huh?” Edward chuckled. ”Even as the leader of an entire city, you still need Victor’s influence to stay afloat. Isn’t that... disappointing?”

”Shut up,” Albert said with a scowl. ”You have no idea what it’s like to live in someone’s shadow.”

Edward shook his head. ”And I don’t want to. You’ve created a prison in your own mind, Albert, and you’ll never break free unless you’re ready to let go.”

”Don’t give me a damn lecture!” Albert shouted. ”I’m way better than you!” His voice echoed through the room. ”Just hand over the girl and save yourself the trouble.”

”Better?” Edward smirked. ”Yet you feel threatened by a young man. How ironic.”

Albert’s face turned red with anger, but he released a low chuckle after a tense moment.

”Edward... My son has fallen for her,” he leaned forward. ”I just want to see him happy. You know how precious family can be, right? He’s the only reason I’m living this god-forsaken life.”

Edward stood still. For the first time, he had no words.

”I’d give him this world if he asked for it,” Albert said, his gaze fixed on Edward. ”Wouldn’t you do the same for your son?”

Albert understood Edward’s most significant weakness—his family. The man who could have surpassed everyone else had limited himself to this city for the sake of his son. And Albert knew precisely how to exploit that.

He didn’t care what tactics he needed to use—he just wanted to free the girl from Edward’s grip. Unlike Coco, who would have already seen through his scheme, Albert thought Edward was different. A man who had spent his life relying on strength rather than strategy... A man who always thought with his muscles.

Edward fell quiet, allowing Albert’s words to settle in.

Then, quietly, he spoke.

”Sons,” he corrected. ”I have two sons: Albert.”

”W-What?” Albert froze in place.

Edward smiled. ”Either you’re misinformed, or you just don’t care,” he said smoothly. ”And just as you mentioned, my friend... I would do anything for my sons. It’s funny. Because, as fate would have it... Victor’s girl has fallen in love with my son.”

Albert’s face darkened.

What did he say?

If this were true, that muscle-headed brute wouldn’t let the girl go—not for anything. What should have been a simple task, handled with a few words or a well-placed bribe, had now turned into a battle he would have to fight through ice and fire to win.

”Edward,” Albert said slowly, his voice low and threatening. ”Think this through. I want that girl... at any cost. And I will have her.”

Edward’s smile didn’t waver.

”Do your best then,” he said, issuing the challenge.

Albert took a deep breath, his glare piercing through the screen. ”Fine,” he said, his voice low and menacing. ”Let’s see how you protect them from me. I’ll turn the whole world against them... and then we’ll see if you dare to say the same thing, Edward.”

Edward met his gaze without hesitation. ”I’m not afraid to face the world, Albert,” he said calmly. ”But if I were you... I’d be afraid to confront myself.”

Albert burst into a hysterical laugh, his voice echoing through the room, growing louder and louder until it filled every corner like a storm. Then—suddenly—the call ended.

Edward sat in silence, watching the screen go dark.