“Tomorrow is the big day, right?” Ayano asked while typing. “Are you sure they will be in Achi as you expected?”
“It’s just our prediction that Jin-Woo and Yuri will show up as this presents them with a great chance to seek their revenge.” Oliver answered, looking at his computer’s monitor. “Aria already informed Colonel Miyamoto. But even so I don’t think Jin-Woo and Yuri will have enough power to attack Achim Base and kill Governor Li.”
“Yeah, he already informed the top brass, but they have done nothing as their hands are tied with Sukui’s many attacks over the past month.” Ayano said. “They have been targeting key points in the military infrastructure.”
“Sukui is getting too aggressive.” Oliver began thinking. “Almost as if someone is giving them intel on the military. I see.”
“Are you saying they did this?” Ayano was curious.
“Jin-Woo and Yuri leaked the intel to Sukui. And tomorrow they are going to use them to attack the base, they will swoop in and assassinate Governor Li.” Oliver explained. “They probably gave Sukui extra intel to get their help for tomorrow. That’s why their attacks have become extra damaging and precise. Tomorrow should be a big confrontation.”
“Oliver, stop my daughter from going there tomorrow. Since you’re her fiancé, she will definitely listen to you!” Ayano pleaded.
“Sorry, but she wants to try and stop our friends and I want to help her too.” Oliver responded. “She’ll be using her Moon Unit, so she'll be fine. I’ve even made upgrades on her Moon Unit.”
“You're really stubborn. Why is my son-in-law like this?” Ayano complained. “I understand why Mei slapped you when she met you for the first time!”
“That was a different issue, she thought I was just playing with Aria’s heart. Mei just slapped me because she was worried about her older sister.” Oliver said with a smile.
“Speaking of Mei, I think she and Hajin are going out.” Ayano said.
“I kinda noticed that, too.” Oliver said. “My little brother is dating my fiancé’s little sister. It is funny in its own way!”
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“The Kim brothers are stealing my daughters away!” Ayano said with a smile. “I knew they were just pretending to be kind boys and when I least expected it, they swooped in and stole my daughters’ hearts!!”
“I know you like me, mother-in-law! If not, you wouldn’t have accepted to be my mentor all those years ago!” Oliver said.
“Who knew the Technician I accepted as my apprentice would become my daughter’s fiancé. She seems so happy, so I am glad I made that decision.” Ayano said. “So, when are you and Aria planning on getting married?”
“We are still not sure on a specific date, but sometime during the springtime next year!” Oliver answered.
“I am looking forward to that day! I can’t wait to be a grandmother! I’m sure, if he was with us, my husband would’ve been very happy!” Ayano said. “Oh, and Oliver, in six months we will begin the construction of the Inter-World Spaceship. So, we’ll be busy until that gets done and it might take a few months from start to finish.”
“That’s sooner than I expected.” Oliver was surprised. “I thought they were going to drag their feet approving the next phase of the project!”
“It was Professor Su who requested that our project be moved up. He spoke to me last month and he apologized to me about his apprentice actions towards you.” Ayano said. “He seemed regretful. That man is always so absorbed in his research, he doesn’t pay attention to the world around him. People consider us rivals, but my research is more different than his. I thought he was a jerk, but he is actually quite a nice man. I mean his apprentices’ actions reflect poorly on how he teaches his ethics, if he teaches them any ethics at all.”
“I guess he’s just a genius that can’t properly teach.” Oliver said. “But you’re an amazing mentor, so whatever anyone says, you’ll always surpass him as a mentor!”
“Go home and rest! Tomorrow will be a long day for you!” Ayano said in a concerned tone. “Be careful out there. We don’t know how much information Jin-Woo and Yuri gave to Sukui.”
“Thanks! Then I’ll see you later!” Oliver said as he got up. “Don’t work too much, remember to rest for your sake and your daughters’ sake.”
“I am so blessed to have you and my daughters by my side.” Ayano said. “Everything will be alright, Oliver!”
Oliver nodded and exited the lab. After exiting the lab, Oliver saw that Roger was waiting for him. Roger had a somber expression.
“Tomorrow, you and I will work as a ground unit. Aria and Nicole will be the aerial unit, they will be piloting their Moon Units. Colonel Miyamoto managed to get permission to let us monitor the area for any signs of Jin-Woo and Yuri.” Roger said. “I can’t believe they did this. I wish this was a lie. I don’t want to fight our friends, but we must stop them from making a mistake that can’t be undone!”
“You guys in Platoon 12 have been busy dealing with Sukui’s attacks. Tomorrow Sukui might also attack, and Jin-Woo and Yuri might take advantage of that!” Oliver explained.
“Now that I think about it, that makes too much damn sense!” Roger said. “We’ll meet up at the south base tomorrow at 0600. Governor Li will be arriving at 0730, so we’ll use that hour and a half to prepare, we don’t know when they will show up.”
“I’ll get going, Roger!” Oliver said. “Make sure to rest! We’ll need to give our top performance tomorrow! We must succeed no matter what!”
“Yeah, no failures allowed!” Roger said with a determined expression. “The consequences of failure are too high for it to be an option! I’ll see you tomorrow, Oliver!”
As Roger walked away, Aria approached Oliver. She looked him in the eyes, held his hand and without saying a word they started walking. They could tell how the other was feeling but didn’t say a word, trying to find comfort in the presence of one another. They knew what could happen tomorrow. Their fears and hopes were intermingled and by being with each other, their hearts could be at ease for a moment.