Battle Of Planets

Chapter 71: conferance call
Edward sat in his office while Captain Sam stood before him.”Barnes will recover quickly, General,” Sam reported. ”But he needs to take a break from his duties for a while.”

”Tell him to take his time; we’re not in a hurry,” Edward chuckled, shaking his head.

He knew Barnes too well. Once that man decided something, he refused to let it go. This time was no different. He had been hurt—not just physically, but emotionally. The disappointment in his own performance weighed heavily on him. Undoubtedly, he was eager to get back, train harder, and ensure he never fell behind his peers again.

Edward exhaled, redirecting his focus. ”How is Tyson doing?”

Captain Sam paused before responding. ”He’s channeling his anger into training, General,” he stated. ”Just as you predicted—he’s growing. He’s no longer holding himself back... he’s putting in the effort. I’d say our future looks bright.”

Edward chuckled softly. ”Right! He is my son, after all. He needs to learn from his past mistakes.”

”He’s learning,” Captain Sam agreed. ”But... he’s pushing himself too hard. Are you sure that’s alright, General?”

Edward reclined a bit. ”His girlfriend brokeup with him.”

Captain Sam smiled knowingly. ”Ah, a matter of the heart, huh? That girl, though—she’s something else. Not many possess that kind of courage and spirit.”

”Yes, she does,” Edward nodded. ”After all, she is the future daughter-in-law of the Rogers family.”

Suddenly, the AI flickered to life behind them as a screen illuminated.

A man was shown on the screen, sitting in his office.

”General, there’s a call from Utopia,” the AI announced.

Edward waved his hand, and Captain Sam nodded respectfully before stepping aside, bowing his head to Edward and humanity’s strongest man.

”Sam,” the man on the screen said with a smirk, ”you’re getting older.”

Captain Sam chuckled. ”Duty takes its toll on me, General Max,” he replied. ”And unlike others, I wasn’t lucky enough to be born with good genes.”

”Is that a compliment, my boy?” Max chuckled. ”I wish Edward would pick up something from you.”

”What’s the reason for your call, Max?” Edward replied bluntly, displaying no emotion. ”I’m too busy for small talk.”

Max shook his head. ”Sam, you should step out for a moment. It seems your General isn’t in the mood to humor me today.”

Sam nodded and left the office silently.

Once the door closed, Max’s demeanor changed. His voice became gentler. ”Are you still upset with me?” he inquired. ”I explained—I acted in your best interest. At that moment, you mattered more to us than—”

”Than who?” Edward interrupted, his voice filled with anger. ”Don’t undervalue their names, Max. I warned you.”

Max fell silent as he gazed at Edward.

He was the one who took charge in the last tournament—the one calling the shots from the war room.

”You know, Ed,” Max said slowly, ”as leaders, we can’t please everyone.”

”You’re a damn coward, Max,” Edward spat, his voice trembling. ”A-and worse—you turned me into one.”

Max allowed him to speak, his expression inscrutable.

”I’m sorry, my boy,” he finally said. ”As your senior, I accept every blame and responsibility. But I hope you can forgive me, because at the time... I had no other choice.”

”You had a choice,” Edward retorted. ”You should have allowed me to fight alongside them. But no—you let them die. As a leader, you should have taken action. Anything.”

Max remained silent.

Edward let out a sharp breath, sinking into his chair. ”I still see their faces. Their cries. Our cowardice.” His voice was softer now but no less solemn. ”Everyone thinks we’re saviors. But we’re just fucking survivors.”

”They need hope. We need hope,” Max murmured. ”I don’t know how to make this right with you, son, but if there’s anything I can do—”

”I will lead the next tournament.”

Max’s eyes sharpened.

”I don’t care who stands before me,” Edward continued. ”I’m going to show you what leading truly means.”

Max studied him for a long moment before nodding. ”I hope we don’t get summoned. But if we are—” he sighed, ”I promise you this, Ed: I will stand behind you. I’ll follow like a shadow, no questions asked.”

Before Edward had a chance to respond, another voice interrupted the call.

”My, my. What a warm reunion.” Edward’s jaw tightened as Albert’s smirking face appeared on the screen. ”Max, I don’t understand why you always have such a soft spot for him,” Albert scoffed. ”He’s just throwing a fit.”

Max sighed. ”Albert, I told you to wait before jumping in, didn’t I?”

”Sorry, my hand slipped,” Albert said, glaring at Edward. ”So, what’s this all about, Max? What urgent matter do you need us for?”

”I heard, Albert... you’re planning to go to war,” Max said quietly.

Edward’s expression darkened.

War was not a simple issue. It wouldn’t merely involve Rangers—civilians and whole cities would be caught in the crossfire. If Elria and Babylon truly clashed, it wouldn’t be a battle. It would be a massacre.

”You must be desperate, Albert,” Edward said grimly. ”Desperate enough to go this far.”

Albert smiled, remaining unfazed. ”Certainly, Edward.” His tone carried a hint of playfulness, yet his eyes sparkled with a sharper intensity. ”I have every right to declare war. You sheltered criminals from my city.”

Edward smirked. ”And is that all it takes for you to burn everything down?”

Albert turned to Max, a wider smile spreading across his face. ”But I do wonder... who told you about this, Max?” He tilted his head. ”Let me guess—the RD rats? They’re such a pain!” He chuckled, shaking his head. ”No worries—I’ll take care of them... after I claim what’s mine.”

”Nothing belongs to you,” Edward retorted. ”They voluntarily left your city. They are now citizens of my domain—so you’d better tread carefully.”

”They’re criminals,” Albert countered, leaning against his desk. ”They hid valuable information of Victor—knowledge that could strengthen humanity—yet you help them bury it?” His gaze darkened. ”You’re a traitor, Edward. You’re dooming humanity with your arrogance.”

”Shut the hell up, you bastard!” Edward roared. ”You took every digital record Victor left behind! You robbed those people of their homes to satisfy your revenge! You tormented them—and now you dare to accuse me falsely?”

”Albert,” Max’s voice sliced through the tension like a knife. His tone was steady but tinged with a warning. ”We all know why you want that girl. This is your internal Babylonian politics. Don’t involve the other cities in your mess.”

Albert grinned. ”Why not?” he dared. ”They’re my people, Max. I’ll do whatever it takes to retrieve them. So you’d better give them up—before I unleash my wrath on Elria.”

Edward’s jaw tightened. ”The moment you step in front of me, I’ll tear out your damn tongue, you scheming bastard.”

”Enough!” Max’s voice thundered, slicing through their argument. ”Both of you—back off!”

The room fell into tense silence.

Max exhaled sharply. ”We’ve got two and a half years before Earth’s destruction. We don’t even know when the next Tournament will begin, yet you two are bickering over this?” His glare shifted between them. ”We cannot afford to waste our resources.”

”Let him know that!” Albert retorted. ”I presented him with power stones, yet this obstinate fool simply wants to irritate me!”

”I’ll do even more, Albert!” Edward retorted, advancing as though he intended to leave right then and there. ”I’ll invade your city myself and take you down!”

”Edward.”

A sharp voice pierced the air, halting him in his tracks.

Max’s glare grew more intense. ”Don’t make me repeat this.” His voice turned dangerous and cold. ”If either of you dares to escalate this into a war, I swear—I will join the fight myself and wipe you both out. I won’t care what happens to the rest”

Albert and Edward glared at him, fists clenched, but neither said a word.

Max leaned back, his voice steady. ”Our true goal is the Tournament—not these petty power struggles.” His eyes darted to Albert. ”I don’t care what Julian says, but if you neglect your duty, you will pay.”

Albert exhaled through his nose, his frustration evident. ”Fine. I won’t involve Julian in this matter.” His smirk returned, but there was an edge to it. ”But I want that girl—and if I get her, I’ll let this matter rest.”

Max turned to Edward, his gaze sharp and unreadable. ”What do you have to say, Edward?”

Edward hesitated, struggling to respond immediately.

Sending Nancy to Albert meant dooming her to a life of suffering. It wasn’t just about her—her very presence held significant soft power over Babylon, a weight that, due to her lineage, could alter the entire city’s dynamics.

But more than anything else... Tyson.

When he discovered the truth, Edward was uncertain about his son’s reaction and what actions he might take. Tyson was still unaware that Nancy had become entangled in such a perilous situation. Because of her, an entire city was on the brink of war.

Edward clenched his jaw. ”No.” His voice was firm and unwavering. ”That’s my damn answer.”

Albert’s demeanor soured.

Max sighed. ”This situation involves civilians. They can resolve it on their own. You both don’t need to get involved.”

Albert exhaled slowly, shaking his head. ”Good. Very good.” A smirk played at his lips, but his eyes glimmered with something sharper. ”Since Edmund is gone, Edward cannot challenge us politically.”

Edward remained silent because Albert was right.

Edmund had mastered navigating these waters, playing the political game, and maneuvering through the most treacherous tides. With his passing, his daughter assumed the mantle. She will now face immense pressure from Babylon.

Albert took one final look before severing the connection. The screen went dark.

Edward exhaled and leaned back in his chair. His fingers tapped against the desk as his mind raced to the inevitable.

This was far from over.