A Test of Patience

Bernard watched in awe as Kjēl devoured her food in less than two bites. Bernard found it amusing to watch children, he undeniably have a soft side for them.

"Uhm...maybe slow down and chew your food more? You might choke on it." Bernard worriedly said.

"Don't underestimate my eating capabilities." Kjēl coldly replied.

"I-I see. Sorry." Bernard replied before chuckling.

"Excuse my sister. She doesn't like it when people bother her when she's eating." Veronica stated before smiling awkwardly.

"She reminds me of my sister." Viktor commented.

"I think your sister sounds better to be with than mine." Veronica added.

They all walked together, Veronica and Viktor engaging in small talk while Bernard continued to watch Kjēl eat. They made their way around the colony and explored a bit before deciding it was now time for Veronica and Kjēl to go back to their ship.

"Oh, I haven't gotten your name yet. I'm Viktor by the way. I should've introduced myself earlier." Viktor stated before smiling.

"M-my name? Uhm..." Veronica asked.

"Her name is Veronica." Kjēl interrupted.

"Veronica, it's a beautiful name." Viktor commented.

"T-Thanks, you don't really have to keep complementing me." Veronica bashfully replied.

"Forgive Viktor. He's only trying to be a gentleman. He doesn't have much experience with women so he might slip a few times." Bernard added before chuckling.

"How about you? What's your name?" Kjēl asked.

"Call me Bernard." Bernard replied before giving her a soft smile.

Kjēl nodded and followed Veronica back to their port while the two men watched them from the distance. Veronica and Kjēl hurriedly went to the White Whale and informed Damien about what happened. Damien told the crew to speed up the resupply and that the pilots should be ready on their stations in case of emergencies. Veronica and Kjēl hurriedly changed to their normal suits before going to the ship's hangar.

"That man earlier, Bernard. He's the commanding officer of that XenoMarsian fleet." Veronica stated.

"Then must mean that Viktor is the one piloting the blue Stern-S." Kjēl added.

"I wasn't expecting we'd actually get to meet our enemies. It's a pity, that Viktor guy looked handsome." Veronica commented before drawing a sigh.

"He's into you. His face was as red as the meat bun you bought me." Kjēl teased.

"Attention all pilots. I've already sent you the plan, please review it thoroughly and wait for orders from your squadron leaders. That is all." Damien announced.

The White Whale continued on its scheduled resupply while Damien and Brook talked in private in Damien's quarters.

"I know you're itching to deploy but I'm gonna ask you to calm down and wait for the opportune moment." Damien stated.

"The opportune moment is now. We can cripple their fleet while they're still in port and finally get that Stern-S off our tail." Brook argued.

"We have to be careful until we reach the inspection line. There's no guarantee that the mission will go smoothly, that's why we have you and the other pilots." Damien added.

"Damien, this might be our only chance." Brook insisted.

"No, we mustn't make rash decisions because I received a transmission from General Flint of the Black Skulls division. He mentioned that the Alliance's main fleet will be delayed and that we'll have to go as deep into Mars-sphere as we can." Damien replied.

It was then when Brook realized what Damien was trying to say. As of now, they lacked the numbers and the resources to take the enemy head on. If they were to attack this early on, the main fleet won't be able to make it in time to save them of things go south. Just as Damien said, it would be best if they cross the inspection line first. The inspection line acted as the second line of defense of Mars. It stretched out like a large ring around the outside of the inner Mars-sphere and strictly monitored the movements of ships crossing through. If there will be a delay in the main fleet's arrival, reaching the inspection line before commencing the second phase of the plan is their best bet. They have to lead the XenoMarsian fleet as far as they can from the asteroid belt so that the main Alliance fleet will be able to cross with little to no resistance.

"We have to wait till then. So please calm down and take care of the other pilots. You can do that, right?" Damien asked of Brook.

"I'll keep the others busy." Brook saluted before leaving the room.

Damien strongly felt the same way Brook did but he can't afford to slip up. Not when more than eight hundred lives were on the line. He had his fair share of death before and he would do everything in his power to stop something similar from happening again.

"Brook, what's the sit-rep?" Veronica asked.

"Once we complete the resupply, we'll continue on our course to the inspection line." Brook replied.

"That's a good thing. I'll have more time to train." Kjēl stated before glaring at Veronica.

"Could you stop that? I already know that so quit glaring at me before you burn a hole into the back of my head." Veronica scolded Kjēl.

"It seems like you two are getting along just fine." Brook added before chuckling.

"Huh?" The two girls exclaimed in unison.

"Give me a break. I hate having this kid around. She keeps bothering me and I can't even enjoy my free time." Veronica complained.

"You're just lazy. Didn't Damien tell you to train me for the time being? Talk about irresponsible and unreliable." Kjēl tsked before crossing her arms.

"I can see why Veronica gets so annoyed by her. The two of them are so similar that it creeps Veronica out." Brook said to himself before smiling.

"You inconsiderate little..." Veronica mumbled before putting Kjēl in a headlock.

"You're just scared that I'll become better than you!" Kjēl exclaimed before growling at Veronica.

Brook excused himself while the other two were busy quarrelling. He made his way to the other pilots to inform them of the current plan. Meanwhile, on the other side of the colony. Bernard and Viktor made their way back to where their ship was ported.

"You seem awfully happy today." Bernard commented before smiling.

"I-It's nothing, sir. I'm just excited to give Vanessa her gift, that's all." Viktor nervously replied.

"You're so easy to read. I didn't know that my subordinate was capable of experiencing love at first sight." Bernard teased.

"Veronica? N-no, I just find her interesting. But I won't deny that she's beautiful." Viktor whispered out the last part.

"Were you able to ask her contact info? It would be such a waste if you only get to meet her once." Bernard teased even more.

"Gah! I completely forgot! I was too busy talking to her that it left my mind." Viktor exclaimed.

"Do you believe in fate, Viktor?" Bernard asked before stopping in the middle of the road.

"Fate, sir? I guess so." Viktor replied.

"Then I have a feeling that you'll still meet each other soon. It's just a matter of time that is." Bernard added before chuckling.

"A matter of time...a test of patience rather." Viktor mumbled to himself.