Chapter Eighty-Eight: Journey to the Northern Federation!

8:00 a.m., December 26, 2237, London Base

On a deep-winter morning, the cold was unusually bitter. Even so, the U-47 heavy transport had already received its pilot and fifteen elite soldiers of the United Kingdom. They were the executors of the Kestan Campaign: Team Thor and Team Lynx.

Team Lynx had also been formed only two months earlier. Before this, they had been handling cleanup operations, but this time they were joining the Kestan Campaign, apparently because Lynx’s commander, Billy, was no longer satisfied with such minor skirmishes.

“Hello. I’m Billy of Team Lynx. A pleasure.”

Billy of Team Lynx was a sinister and crafty commander. Though clad from head to toe in knight armor, he unexpectedly used the Federated States’ MK-34 assault rifle. Its caliber was not the 11.82mm round designated by the Earth Covenant specifically for dealing with Satan, yet this 5.56mm weapon could still inflict effective damage on them. As a task force the Federated States had sent in support of the Earth Covenant, however, Billy did not in fact report directly to the United Kingdom, and Lynx could be considered a special mixed-combat unit.

“Hello. I’m Lei Mingchuan. A pleasure to work with you!”

Though Billy of Lynx was counted among the finest warriors in the war, Lei Mingchuan had already made a name for himself across many nations. The title of the Lightning Reaper had begun to spread. As a newcomer, he had executed a giant, fought Gaia alone and forced her, through serum, back into human form, and single-handedly killed the Boss stationed in the former South Union. The achievements Wen Xin knew of alone were enough to inspire awe. So this time, partnering with the legendary Lightning Reaper, Billy also harbored thoughts of taking some of that glory for himself.

After all, during Team Thor’s period of recovery, they had also successfully secured a foothold in the United Kingdom. The Invisible Gunner, Katyusha; Barrage, Ning Younian; Assassin, Zio; Divine Shield, Neo; and Wolf Cavalry, Crony—every one of them ranked among the foremost heroes on the Earth Covenant roster. They were formed from special forces soldiers and mercenaries from various countries, yet even the mercenaries had already come to understand the danger Satan posed to humanity.

“Greetings, elites. I am Kevin, the inspector for this mission.”

The one addressing them was a new commander. He wore the standard military uniform of the United Kingdom, every item regulation issue.

“This mission will take us to the Eastern Alliance to join the Kestan Campaign. The particulars will depend on negotiations among our Four Great Kingdoms. Before that, however, we must first travel to the Northern Union to receive our ally—the Northern Union’s heavy armor, Ripper.”

This time the inspector was not Anthony. Yet at that, Mingchuan instead showed a smile. Though the man did not know him, his Welsh accent had exposed his political affiliation.

“Yes, sir!”

At once, both squads saluted together.

“Hmph. You newcomers are still far from battle. Get some proper rest.”

Seemingly disdaining to remain with the two squads, Inspector Kevin appeared ready to leave, yet Mingchuan’s voice made him turn back despite himself.

“Obedience is an order. Indeed.”

It was only a habitual turn of phrase, yet Inspector Kevin reacted as though frightened, as if the words possessed some hidden power.

“Heh. So that’s it? I understand...”

As though he had grasped something, Inspector Kevin left.

2:50 p.m., Northern Union time

Three aircraft appeared above Stalingrad in the Northern Union. The one in the center was naturally the United Kingdom’s U-47, while the other two were Northern Union Aurora-class fighters. Each of those two warplanes carried six Polar-class air-to-air missiles, though in truth none of that was necessary.

The planes landed. The two polar fighters came down on two special runways beside the U-47, then entered the underground hangar through specialized lift platforms. After taxiing for a while, the U-47 also moved into the hangar.

“To all of you from the United Kingdom, welcome to our Northern Union. I apologize that we cannot allow you to tour our base freely.”

Because Ripper was to be transported, the Stalingrad military district commander had personally come to receive them.

“Well...”

But upon hearing Russian, Kevin suddenly fell into troubled silence. What ran through his mind was simple enough:

Damn it, I don’t speak Russian.

“Greetings to all of you of the Northern Union. This is our inspector, Kevin. I am his adjutant, Lei Mingchuan. This is Billy.”

While Kevin was agonizing, Mingchuan’s voice came from behind him. Not only that, but upon hearing those words, the commander of Stalingrad also looked startled.

“If I remember correctly, you are Major General Kosov. It has been a long time.”

At that moment, the speaker stepped out from behind Kevin. At the sight of him, Major General Kosov was also taken aback.

“You are... Cole?”

“My apologies, but I’m not. Cole is my brother.”

Smiling, Kosov strode straight to Mingchuan’s side and shook his hand at once.

“Major Mingchuan, I don’t believe you have the authority—”

“Then may I ask, sir, do you know Russian and Chinese?”

At Kevin’s challenge, Mingchuan cut him off without hesitation.

“Very well. I’ll leave it to you.”

Though unwilling, Kevin knew his own weakness, and Mingchuan knew as well that this inspector had been specially “arranged” for him by the Welsh faction.

“Mm. Understood. Then, Major General Kosov, I’ll entrust the rest to you.”

“I understand, Major. Load Ripper aboard. As for these people, I will receive them personally.”

“Yes, sir!”

This afternoon I’ll be heading back, so let’s get right to it.