Snippet #2470593

Aaron shook his head. "No. Some of us died." After a bit, he and Cain were summoned to the conference room.

--

Chemda seemed to not stay unconscious long from Aaron's kick, since she was able to hear Scoar ask if she wanted some water. It seemed the Prince understood her language. Slowly getting up off the floor, she nodded slowly, but then asked, "But, first, where's my sister? Is she okay? Her name is Adira." Turning her head, sideways, she told the Prince, "As for those... impulses... well, my twin and I kind of found out about those when some stalkers ambushed us after a high school gymnastics event we participated in. From the look those boys gave as they eyed us, well, you can guess what was coming up. We didn't let them, though, and that's where those impulses came in. Fighting skills we didn't think we had just suddenly came, and we nearly killed one of those guys because of those sudden impulses. I just can't explain it. We knew we were different in physical qualities from our peers, but to actually have a sort of killing instinct... it... it was a scary thing to think about after that incident. I don't know why it is there, but once it's triggered, usually when danger is near, it's hard to control it without major pain to the head... as this Cain guy witnessed. I'm just glad nobody was hurt by me, this time."

--

Zechariah now felt guilty for his outburst. That was the thing about Zech: he can be sweet and kind, but can also overreact. Still, Viola could have worded it differently. He made a mental note to apologize for his rude behavior, later. Benjamin, however, did not regret his choice of words. Both brothers glared at Axl as he spoke to both Viki and Zechariah. As Axl left with Viola, Zechariah continued to glare. "I swear, if Axl makes one move against Viki, I will personally shoot him to ashes!"

Ben whispered to Viki with, "This is the first time I've seen Zechariah express any form of malice. He must really be ticked by what Axl said to you."

Zechariah then realized they were still in Sandra's presence. "We better listen to what Rear Admiral Lionel has to say, so, we should stand at attention, again."

--

Kyle heard the call for all available Lion Team members to head tot he conference room. "We better continue this later. No point in bringing a whisky to that place." He quickly poured the contents of his glass into a nearby sink and sprinted to make it in time, the rest of Lion Team there to see the playback of the battle.

Sure, many of the remaining Lions were angry, but none showed it more than Aaron. After all, this was the first time he was ever bested in battle. He wanted to prove himself the best, he wanted to uphold his family legacy. To do that, he needed to get rid of the one obstacle in his way: Zechariah Malachi.

Once it was time for explanations, Aaron spoke up first, a deep fervor about him. "While it is true that arrogance and disorganization were part of the reason, one cannot deny Benjlakk planned in advance for repelling our attack! The King himself was not mistaken in telling us we'd be facing a foe unlike any other! As for Captain Ire's death, I know for a fact that in prime condition, she would never have fallen so easily! Have you all forgotten the Second Metargo-Mysticaran War!? Not even a Golem manned by an elf could defeat her so quickly! Could one, men?"

The members of Lion Team that were actually veterans of the Second Metargo-Mysticaran War shouted in unison, "No!"

From there, Aaron continued, his voice expressing more rage, "Damn right, 'No'!" Obviously, something happened which hindered her abilities while in her mech, and I guarantee it occurred during and after the confrontation between the Titan and the enemy flagship called the Seraphim! Furthermore, we have been plagued by inexperienced men in the Royal Navy, especially from among the so-called 'elite' that get it in their heads that because they are 'privileged', they can start out a couple ranks above the rest of us and not face the consequences! Had that not been the scenario, we would have had even more men of experience, thus Benjlakk would not have had it so easy! Bibi, our mechanic, is a shining example of someone from among the nobility who chose not to take such an erroneous route, but instead started from the bottom up in the ranks! And now, look at her: her skills and mechanical expertise have proven to be the lifeblood of our success in our war with Mysticara time and time again, which was before our conflict with Benjlakk we are facing!"

Lion Team gave the customary Metargo war chant of, "Struf ul Gluj! Struf ul Gluj!" ((It is an ancient Metargo phrase meaning, "Strength and Glory! Strength and Glory!"))

Aaron was now as fired up as he could be in his speech. "What's more, is that today, we, Lion Team, have faced rookies from Among Brown Wing Team, all of whom surpassed our expectations, especially one! When their sergeant died, as was shown to us, one[/I[ of the pilots within Brown Wing Team kept them together, resulting in the sonic missile barrage which forced us to confront them!" Playing back the face off Aaron had with the pilot he spoke of, he continued, "See for yourself, men, the maneuvers and technique of the man in question! There is only [I]one Benjlakki lineage's legacy that could ever hope to match that of Metargo's own Lextu lineage! Only a member of the legendary Malachi family could have pulled this off! Mech unit warfare may have only been around for seventy years out of the millennia-long history of the Malachis and Lextus, yet the reality stands! It has been confirmed when the man named Zechariah Malachi, whose emergence into the continuation of his family's legacy is shown here, in his first ever battle! Men! We are facing an enemy with the means to humiliate us, yet we must show them Metargo's resolve and prevent that from happening! To victory!"

Lion Team once again shouted in unison, "Struf ul gluj! Struf ul gluj!"