After seeing how much they needed each other's assistance, both captains had dedicated themselves to a proper alliance, this time with cooperation.

  "All crew members, report to Hangar 3 for the captain's announcement", said the voice on the P.A

  By this time, Suzina and the other soldiers have fully recovered.

  "Suzina! We've got to get going!", shouted Justin through the door.

  "Wait a second! I'm just combing!", answered Suzina.

  With all her rushing, she missed a step on the stairs causing her to fall.

  "Are you ok?"

  "Yea, I am! Going out now!"

  "Good, let's get going."

  They both nodded in approval.

  They rushed to Hangar 3 and got in line.

  "Took you long enough.", said Jolina.

  Then, a microphone echoed.

  "Yesterday, the Eurasian Captain and I had a discussion."

  Immediately, many of the soldiers had faces of disgust.

  "HQ has ordered us to take Amsterdam in two days."

  Shock spread through the crowd.

  "We can't do that alone!". someone exclaimed.

  "That is why we have decided to fully cooperate with the Eurasians."

  The soldiers' jaws dropped. How could they trust those Eurasians again?

  "The following events will be discussed by the Deputy Chief."

  He tapped the microphone twice and started his announcement.

  "The Eurasians have agreed to share resources with us, specifically those concerning the Engineer teams.", he said.

  "In the following battles, you are to cooperate with the Eurasians but remember to follow our battle plan.", he added.

  He then stepped aside as the captain took the microphone once again.

  "We expect fill cooperation between our forces. You are all dismissed."

  But no one could walk away so easily. They were literally stunned.

  Later that day in Hangar 3...

  "The Eurasians are here!"

  The room sparked to life.

  Out of the transport vehicle came a familiar face.

  Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.

  "Hey! Franks, nice to see you again!"

  "So is it here, Nikolaev!"

  The two friends were the only ones who did not fight with each other since insults became laughable matters to them.

  "I hear you got parts for the Aegis."

  "I also bought men you know!"

  They laughed like two old friends having beers.

  "Of course you would!"

  "Anyways, let's get to work, shall we?"

  "Why not?"

  However, while the two old geezers were laughing, their men were glowering upon each other.

  "Franks, mind if we modify the Aegis?"

  This time, Franks did not immediately agree. The Aegis is supposed to be classified.

  "Sure, why not?"

  Boris smirked.

  "Let's get to work then!"

  The crews of both head engineers then got to work.

  Slowly, the captains exchange groups of men as a way of familiarizing with the enemy.

  By noon, Jolina, Luna and Lex were sent to the Zabytaya.

  Upon arriving, they saw another familiar face.

  "Anastasia!"

  "Luna!", they excitedly shouted.

  They hugged each other as tight as can be. But when they finally let go, Anastasia saw an annoying face.

  "Aren't you that woman who called me a pig?"

  "Oh, yea I remember. Why? What's your problem?"

  "I guess you're the same drunk and sober."

  Jolina felt offended.

  "What did you say?"

  She was about to go berserk.

  "I said, you Western dog is the same when you've had 8 shots of liquor and when you're normal"

  Jolina's face turned red, her fists tightened and she was preparing for a fight.

  But when she swung her arms at Anastasia, she was shocked to see that Justin had blocked the move. Apparently, he was sent before them.

  "Justin? What are you doing?"

  "I am trying to fix your mistakes!"

  Her face grew in disbelief.

  Lex finally got up the transport after trying to find his Rubik's cube.

  "You really never let that thing be, huh?", said Luna.

  "Looks like cooperation can't happen anyway.", he replied referring to the clash happening in front of them.

  "Oh, don't be so negative there!", Luna said.

  "What are we even here for?", he asked.

  "We're here to enjoy, now get over here!"

  She then pulled Lex away to the hallway.

  "Luna!", he screamed.

  "We're going to fix your attitude!"

  Later as they got near the ship cafeteria...

  "Luna! Can we please stop for a second!", Lex exclaimed.

  Abruptly, they stopped, launching Lex's Rubik's cube a few meters away. Surprisingly, he immediately dived to get it back, holding it near his chest.

  "Lex... what?"

  He took a while to respond.

  "You'd never understand Luna, you just never would."

  He was holding onto the cube like it was the most precious thing to him.

  "Talk to me man, what happened?"

  "It was my father's gift to me."

  "Oh, that's sweet? When?"

  His fists noticeably were getting more tense by the second.

  "5 years ago, just before he died..."

  The air felt heavy and Luna was regretting asking.

  "Oh, well. Why do you still carry it around? Aside from what you just said of course."

  He then thought for a while.

  "After every battle, I turn one part of this Rubik's cube, I vowed to never die until I manage to solve this thing one turn at a time."

  Luna was shocked, a toy could have that much value?

  "Well then, let's make sure you never finish it, yea?"

  Lex looked up in disbelief, never has anyone said this to him.

  "Luna..."

  Back in the Nova, James had finally found someone's time he could waste.

  "Well, well, well. If it isn't Petrov Andrestov, the commander of the Zabytaya special forces."

  "Well, if it isn't James Miller, the hotshot wannabe of the Nova."

  James smirked; this was someone he could truly pick a fight with.

  "Says the guy who tried to act chill only to be another know-it-all."

  "Says the show-off."

  As the argument grew more and more tense, a crowd of Eurasian and NADUR soldiers were crowding up and siding with their "representative".

  "You know, I heard you talk loud, and that you move really slow. But you know what Petrov? That's all to fold like snow."

  Cheers erupted from the Western side.

  "Guess what James? You'll never have aim. You're like a wild dog that can't be tamed. I hear you bark, but you never bite."

  The Eurasian crowd erupted.

  “Call me a wild dog that won’t be tamed, you’re just a shove in the wind, Petrov — lame.”

  This time however, no one cheered. Because right behind James was the captain.

  He knew he was in trouble.

  Petrov, meanwhile, was smirking the entire time. He knew he had won.

  "Everyone, go back to your stations.", ordered Eleanor to her crew.

  She then looked at James.

  "You Miller, you are in big trouble.

  But even in this situation, James was still thinking.

  "Maybe if I called him dead it would've hit better."