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57 AE

Looping mechanical sounds greeted Jikein as he slowly opened his eyes. The upper cover of his pod slid open with a hissing sound. His grey eyes turned blue, reflecting the projected window that popped up fore his face.

>>Please remain still.<<

The feminine voice of Geniva, the AI core, stated softly.

As countless lines of blue lights scanned him from head to toe, his hibernation pod positioned itself vertically.

>>Allow me to brief you for a moment about yourself.<<

There was a beep before a projected image of Earth appeared as Jikein finally realized that he was back in reality.

>>You are Jikein K.<<

"That I am." He responded with a nod.

>>You boarded the scout ship Tereni on 2218 AD, an escort to the Colony Fleet MC 2218-A.<<

"Hmm." Jikein stepped out of the pod ignoring Geniva's first sentence.

>>Still the same. The Edge hasn't change you a bit.<<

Jikein shrugged and spread his arms to let the scan compete itself.

>>Scan complete. No abnormalities detected.<<

The light reflecting white floor slid open and swallowed the hibernation pod. Jikein examined his hands flipping them constantly.

>>Synchronization complete!<<

Jikein walked toward a corner of the empty room. Mind controlled, a part of the wall extended carrying pieces of a Veik Gauntlet and a Falcon Earpiece that aided with algorithmic patterns. Rare devices that a personnel like him carried.

>>Incoming call from the Colony Fleet RN 2218-F. Currently trailing 5 lightyears away. A person with the name, Vayle T.<<

Jikein rolled his eyes and remained still for a moment. "Receive," he commanded, and started to fix the Veik on his left wrist.

The half part of the empty room started to eminate light until it transformed into another half part of a room. Slow beat music started to play as a figure slowly came into form, moving in rhythm with the music.

"Kein," Vayle's gentle voice swept across the room like a breeze. Her naughty cerulean eyes directed toward him while she gracefully swiveled around. "I will never forgive you!"

"Whatever," Kiz responded, he couldn't help but chuckle. He continued to assemble the Veik without bothering to turn around and face her.

"How dare you?!" Vayle instantly stopped her dance. Her brows slightly knitted into a frown. It was always amazing how he got into her nerves with just a single word. "You left me back on Earth without my permission."

"I don't need your permission." A slab part of the wall extended a glass with water. Jikein felt a sudden thirst and reached for it and drank its content.

"I will find you..." She stated and paused for a brief moment, "and I will marry you!"

Jikein instantly spurted out the water and turned around to face her, only to find her with a satisfied smile, obviously enjoying his discomfort. He walked casually to the center of the room where the barrier between their space existed.

"Vayle."

"Kein?" She returned, her playful eyes turned into worry. He had covered a dozen meters of distance with just a few and casual steps. He was suddenly near and she felt a bit of discomfort.

Jikein stopped in front of her and extended a hand to touch her face but his hand slip through her projected image. He stared at her beautiful image, taking in her unique features. Violet hair sprawled on both shoulders. Loose clothes that made him wonder what's beneath it. In a moment, his eyes were adoring her, the next, it became void as he whispered, "That might never happen."

Upon hearing it, she swung her hand to slap him on the face but her hand also slipped through his face. Though Jikein turned his head aside as if he was really slapped in the face before a smile crept on a corner of his lips. He ended the call by gently pushing her image.

When the room turned back into normal, Jikein returned to what he was doing earlier.

>>Tereni has successfully entered the battleship Lukenab. Be adviced for unstable occurrences.<<

Jikein finally assembled the Veik, he pressed a button and the device came to life and verified a DNA match. He snatched the earpiece and place it on his left ear. The Falcon buzzed and affixed itself. Mind controlled, it summoned a panel on Jikein's left eye, displaying thousands of information.

Satisfied with the result, Jikein tapped the Veik and his blue hibernation suit turned into a military space suit of black with fang-like stripes of blue. A part of the wall parted, carrying a set of his Rygor Coats and gears.

As soon as he finished strapping his boots, the floor spat out a Glover, it glided across the room defying the artificial gravity. Jikein, however, did not have the slightest desire to ride it and preferred to walk.

In every main ship like the Lukenab, Mundane and the Commons, an ecosystem is created in their cores. Most people right now might be gathering at the place as as they are woke up. Jikein had no interest in joining them, instead he wanted to do his job and went straight to the hangar.

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Captain Drulen, in charge of the scout ship Tereni, proudly watched as his men unpacked and packed things. The hangar bay was now buzzing with life after six decades of being devoid of life. Chest held high, the captain barked orders until a certain young man strode across the area did his proud demeanor plunged.

"Damn those Rygorants sending someone like him to keep us under their nose." Lieutenant Taylor strutted beside him with a frown on his face.

"The Rygors certainly live up to their fame. Although that Shadow Agent pose us a problem, he also brings relief to the fleet." The Captain cross his arms, tapping his fingers impatiently.

"How so?" Taylor gave him a dubious look.

"Well, Rygorants agents are notorious for their solo missions. That's why Syndicate Rygor always won in information war. I've gathered some information about this young man. Name's Jikein K. A pilot of the new generation of mobile suit. His earliest records are classified."

"Y-you mean those fleet-killer mobile suits?" Slack-jawed, Taylor returned his attention at the young man who is now studying a Torpedo package.

Drulen only answered with a nod, "He's here under the cover of a fleet inspector."

"Tsk. We all know why they are here. Some certain high profile Rygorant royalty is aboard the Mundane. This guy here is an independent personnel who's under no one's charge. He only takes order from that deceptive Syndicate prince."