The Assassin's Enemy Lover

“Now, as the federation, we respect human lives and try to prevent unnecessary deaths. Thus make use of your extraction device inbuilt into your mechs. Once you press it it will directly transport you back on the stealth cruisers.”

“Even if you are off Dark Star your team’s efforts will still include you though your overall grade will be judged by your performance.”

“I would like for the team captains to take note that if they use the extraction device then their entire team will be transported back to the stealth cruiser bringing an end to their mission. Does everyone understand?”

“YES COMMODORE!!” were the echoes of agreement in the hangar of Cetus sending vibrations across the entire floor as patriotic spirit rose within them.

“Go out there and make Onyx Federation proud,” she said saluting them with a three-finger salute. The neat rolls of students saluted her back before turning and marching to the stealth cruiser where their teams were designated.

Evan and Yi Chen stood outside on either side of the doors of stealth cruiser A in which two of their teams were going to be transported in.

There weren’t facing each other but the tension between them was apparent. As the last of their teammates entered the stealth cruiser they then turned and walked in with the doors closing behind them.

Each team was sitting on either side of the cruiser facing each other and despite being on opposite teams they were cordial and chatting to each other with no ill will. To be frank it was more of their captains having a problem with each other not them.

.....

Yi Chen walked over to the person sitting opposite Zi Han and with the flick of his finger the person got up. Exuding the aura of a domineering captain Yi Chen sat down but the moment he faced Zi Han he was like a different person. It wouldn’t be considered wrong to call him a smitten kitten.

Zi Han who was done strapping himself to the seat looked up and almost got a freaking heart attack. Yi Chen was sitting opposite him staring at him with a doting gaze.

Zi Han mouthed, “What the fuck?” but Yi Chen looked so innocent like he was meant to sit there. Evan was sitting in front seriously discussing a strategy but what was this man doing? Flirting in public like he wasn’t the team captain.

Yi Chen intensely stared at Zi Han his eyes lingering on his soft lips. He subtly puckered his lips shamelessly sending an air kiss at Zi Han.

Zi Han, “!!!”

He regretted it. He should have kicked Yi Chen to the curb from the beginning. This person was beyond the word shameless.

Zi Han sucked his lips averting his gaze unwilling to satisfy the person acting like a fool in front of him. He might not be willing to entertain it but the tips of his ears were like ripe cherry tomatoes exposing his true feelings.

As the stealth cruisers entered the mega comet field they began to shake violently making the timid ones hold their hearts in their hands in fear. Some were pressing their heads hard against the headrest of the seat while others clenched their teeth fending off the queasy feeling from the shaking stealth cruiser.

Yi Chen and Li Ran were the least bit fazed acting like they were used to it. Zi Han on the other hand was indeed a different breed. He was smiling but deep inside his blood rushed with excitement like he was in his element.

Beep beep beep.....

“Proximity alert.... warning proximity alert,” said the voice of the AI co-operating the stealth cruiser.

With a loud bang, the stealth cruiser collided with an incoming mega comet causing it to tilt slightly. Echoes of swears and curses followed expressing their fear and anxiety. If only they knew this was only the prelude to the exciting adventure they might have quit joining the military altogether.

With a sharp turn, the stealth cruisers broke through the comet field and entered Dark Star’s atmosphere. Calm was restored but the violent winds were unforgiving.

“Team three prepare for the drop. We are approaching your drop zone,” said the AI, and team three began to unbuckle their seat belts and prepare to drop off the stealth cruiser.

Zi Han got up and zipped up his suit. By the time he raised his head, Yi Chen was standing in front of him with a look of concern. “Stay safe out there. You know how to find me,” he whispered only for Crvena to speak in a dissatisfied tone,

“How can team three’s members be fraternizing with team one’s captain? Are you sharing our team’s secrets,” he said holding on to the rail as the hangar door of the stealth cruiser slowly opened.

“What team secrets? Mind your own business,” replied Zi Han snipping at him with no reservation.

Yi Chen lightly grasped his chin and made him look back at him as though he was jealous that Zi Han was paying attention to someone else when he was right in front of him.

“I will come to find you,” whispered Yi Chen.

Zi Han smiled while looking at him.

“We will see who will find who,” he said before placing a piece of butterscotch candy into Yi Chen’s mouth.

Evan watched this with discontent. He wanted to call Zi Han over as the team captain but before he could say anything Zi Han directly walked to the fully open door of the hangar and jumped off.

Despite Yi Chen knowing that Zi Han had his mech he couldn’t help but worry. Of course, Zi Han activated his mech mid-air and as he approached the trees he flipped his body and landed feet first.

A red and black mech with the Zi family Crest broke through the branches and created a dent on the ground as it landed. Zi Han stood up straight and the mech looked dazzling under the sun of Dark Star.

Two minutes later loud screams and whistling sounds of mechs raining from the sky caught his attention. Like wishing stars they fell to the ground with an explosive force.

They were scattered around his radius with some falling flat on their faces which was quite amusing to watch.