Chapter 20 : Report

"So, I've marked flaws and things that need to be fixed on your report. Did you check it?" ask Admiral Maskmana. Brushing off the awkwardness after hearing unpleasant gossips.

Kaizo answered first. "Yes, Admiral."

"Okay. Let's check how much did you fix," said Admiral Maskmana.

A report mission appears on the screen. Admiral Maskmana do a quick but thorough check.

Admiral Maskmana leaned on his chair. "First thing first, congratulations on finishing your first mission of the semester. You did well on retrieving Strengthbot and fighting Scrozux. Zaroro is still on the loose, but it won't be for long"

"Admiral, are we going to chase Zaroro?" Kaizo asked.

"No. With information from Scrozux, the other station will chase Zaroro instead," said Admiral Maskmana.

"Hmph! We should chase Zaroro. After All, we're the closest one in Scrozux's case," said Kaizo.

"That may be true. But besides doing missions, training is also in your semester plan. After you finish writing this report, I will give you training until the next mission appears," Admiral Maskmana explained. "That aside, what do you think about the mission you just completed?"

"Yes sir. I think we did pretty well. Although we're quite overwhelmed. Our team mostly focuses on speed and technique during battle. Compared to Zaroro when he used Strengthbot, we're lacking in strength. But I'm certain we're faster," said Ramenman.

"Good," said Admiral Maskmana. "Anyone else?"

"Lower expectations when you meet new society?" said Axion in a sarcastic tone.

Ramenman chuckles.

Admiral Maskmana slightly coughed. "I see you're still offended," said Admiral Maskmana as he tries to hold his chuckle. "I suppose that can be a good review."

Admiral Maskmana looked at Rum. "You seem troubled."

Rum didn't answer. Her mind is too confused to hear what the Admiral says. Ramenman nudged her.

"Oh. Yes, Admiral. I-I'm sorry," said Rum.

"Are you alright?" Admiral Maskmana asked.

"Yes, sir. I'm fine."

"How did Scrozux know Axion?" Kaizo frankly asks.

Rum flinched.

"From an informant, I assume. When I ask Axion to find information about Scrozux, the informant that Axion went to must've told Scrozux." Said Admiral Maskmana.

"Is it really just that?" Kaizo asked again. "Can we get a better explanation?"

"You must be bothered by the rumor," said Admiral Maskmana.

"Of course. Taking care of your team's condition is important," said Kaizo.

"You want to be sure you don't have a mole in your team," said Axion. She looked at Kaizo and smirked.

Kaizo looked at Axion sharp.

Admiral Maskmana leaned on his table. "I assure you, she's not," said Admiral Maskmana in a serious tone. "I am aware of the rumor circulating around this station for a while. As far as I know, it started since the cadet ranking for the last semester was published, correct?"

"So you know all along?��� ask Ramenman.

"Of course. After all, I am the Admiral of this station." Admiral Maskmana sighs. "Perhaps the problem could be from me as well. I ask for her assistance on my daily task for way too much."

"I'm just helping deliver papers to your office though," said Axion indifferently.

"So she's like your daughter or something?" Lahap asked.

Both Admiral Maskmana and Axion looked at Lahap in surprise. Axion tried to hold her laughter.

"W-Well, in some ways I suppose. But no, she's not my biological daughter," said Admiral Maskmana. "I'm the one who brought her to this station so I watch over her a bit more than the others. I understand that much."

"Just so we're clear that I'm not Scrozux's accomplice," said Axion.

"Still, if we want to get rid of the rumor, we need to explain something," said Rum.

"Nah," Axion shook her head. "Just leave it be. Having wrong information is scarier than not knowing anything. Anyone who decides to be a space ranger should at least know that. After all, our job isn't just about fighting. We wouldn't want to fight the wrong person during the mission."

"So we're going to leave it be?" ask Ramenman.

Axion nods. "Just ignore them. People who don't bother to seek the truth don't deserve your trust."

"Understood," said Rum.

"Well then. If there's nothing else, you can continue fixing your report. Your report only has a few mistakes in it, so I expect you can finish it in a few hours. Send it to me once you're done. We'll meet again tomorrow on the training ground. But Axion stayed. I have something that I need to discuss with her," said Admiral Maskmana.

"Yes, Admiral!" said the team in unison.

Rum glances at Axion before she goes. Axion nods at her. She smiles. They left the room, leaving Axion and Admiral Maskmana.

"I'm the one who brought her to this station so I watch over her a bit more than the others., huh?" said Axion mimicking Admiral Maskmana. "Making it sounds like you care. Conveniently left out the part where I was a killing machine," said Axion.

"I don't think telling them would be necessary for now," said Admiral Maskmana in a rather grim tone.

"Does it bother you?" Axion asks.

Admiral Maskmana looked at her in confusion.

"When you passed the classroom and heard the gossip yourself," Axion leaned on the wall. "For a moment there, I thought you want to stand up for me."

"I did. But you stop me from doing so," said Admiral Maskmana.

"Because I know that's not what you're supposed to do," said Axion. "You still haven't answered my question."

"I can't say it doesn't bother me," said Admiral Maskmana. "I care, Axion. I do. After All, I am your mentor,"

Axion stares at Admiral Maskmana. "Fair enough."

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"Do you feel better now that you hear it from the Admiral himself?" Ramenman asked.

"What do you mean?" Rum asks back.

"You've been bothered since the beginning, right? After all, the girls are the one who spread the rumor first," said Ramenman.

"Yeah. Those rumors really don't do her justice. I feel better, now that I heard it from the Admiral," said Rum.

Ramenman looked at Kaizo who stayed silent. He wraps his arm around Kaizo's shoulder and grins. "Don't worry. The rumors around your girl will be gone eventually."

Kaizo slightly blush. He pushes Ramenman aside. "I don't care. I don't have time for petty little rumors," said Kaizo as he walks faster.

"Kaizo!" Ramenman called.

"I'm going back to my dorm. I'll finish the rest of the report," said Kaizo as he lazily waves his hand without looking back.

Rum, Ramenman and Lahap looked at each other.

"Well, I'm going back to check on the spaceship. Piloting and managing spaceship is my expertise after all," said Lahap.

"Okay," Rum replied.

Lahap goes ahead to the hangar. Leaving Rum and Ramenman.

"So, what are you going to do?" Ramenman asked.

"Huh? I don't know. I don't really have a plan," said Rum.

"Want to do something about the rumor?" ask Ramenman.

Rum suddenly stopped walking. Ramenman looked at her.

"It still bothers you, doesn't it?" said Ramenman.

Rum silent for a moment. She slowly shook her head. "Both Axion and Admiral told us to let it be. So I'm not going to do anything."

"If the rumor keeps circulating, the rest of our team might be affected. Not that I mind or worry or something. I'm the man who stays loyal to my team even if the world is against us," said Ramenman.

Rum laughs. "You're right."

"Still, I might do something about it if it gets on my nerve," said Ramenman