Matters Across The Seas

  “We need cover!” A Zyck soldier tightly grabbed his NS submachine gun. After yelling, he walked out of the dent where a shell made his vehicle turn over forwards. The soldiers under his command followed, joining others and using the tanks and other cars continuing ahead. There was no stopping. Even if on foot, the fight had just commenced.

  It had been an hour since the enormous craters and horribly destroyed defensive structures were formed where the hypersonic missiles landed. The Zyck army advanced as a whole, finding little to no resistance, and executing whatever was in front of them.

  Dozens of kilometers were already retaken, but the enemy was still lacking in their reaction. The most the Zyck armies suffered until now were shells and grenade launchers, the latter soon to be stomped enemies. Those who were forced on foot revised the past terrain before advancing.

  The tanks lead the huge frontline on each major route of the Zyck frontline in a wedge formation. To the sides were more tanks establishing columns to lead the rest of their army. The general was flabbergasted at the sudden speed in what everything was happening.

  Today, 4th week’s 6th day in the east, was meant to be an eventful day. While it was the deep of the night, with everything just commencing, there was still so much time for more.

  ***

  Western supercontinent, Moonblue. Lymoca. Presidential office’s hidden chambers.

  “Zzzz…” Luis slept alone in his bed. His bedsheets were messy, and he was bare except for a female’s belt around his waist and his boxers on. He was partially bare, the bedsheets did a bad job to cover his figure, but it did cover some.

  Luis was in great shape. Before, he might be just okay. Maybe too flat and without an ‘attitude’ showing any line or hook of muscle, but nowadays… Fox’s regular training has brought him a body that the ladies would die for.

  “Mm.” Luis exclaimed before his eyelids trembled and his head slightly shook on the mattress. His eyes struggled to open, searching for the pillow to cave his jaw into and sleep more comfortable. If he was already peaceful and at ease, imagine if he put his head on a pillow.

  But he didn’t find it anywhere near. His hands swept through the soft bedsheets still smelling of the most wonderful woman in the world. Luis lifted his head, his chin on the mattress, and realized the nearest pillow was at the edge of the bed.

  The rest must’ve been kicked and butt-hit away last night. Luis fell limp on the bed on his side for a few minutes before waking up. Even with his higher stamina and recovery… she was such a wild beast whenever she wanted… more so when they tried…

  Luis sat up and looked ahead. He frowned a bit. With the lights low and dim, it meant the outside was still under a black, night sky. The superficial, natural lights would ‘bring’ inside whichever light intensity was outside. Furthermore, the switches were on.

  Exhaling through his nostrils, he stood up and put on decent pajamas. If he wore a coat, it wouldn’t be so easy to distinguish between it and a smooth, elegant, laidback suit. Afterwards, he stood up and opened the gates to his office, only to find a fully dressed Lesly returning.

  To top it off, she had a pair of mugs of coffee and smaller ones with hot chocolate. While it was warm nowadays, nights were still slightly cold. Luis felt blessed as Lesly’s eyes shone and her mouth watered any eye and tongue to behold her fabulous smile.

  However, her words were not so fabulous anymore. Her light, uplifted voice sounded, “Why are my eyes not being rewarded for bringing delicacies back while still working? Eh?”

  Luis lifted his eyebrows. Lesly walked to him, allowing him to pick the coffee first. He downed it, and as his fingers grabbed the small mug, he looked at her and complained, “Why am I not rewarded with seeing a butt attached to my front as I wake up?”

  “Mmm,” Lesly pressed her lips together before purring. “My emperor, did I trouble you? I got it.”

  Lesly placed her fingers on his chest and gently pushed him back to the room as he drank his hot chocolate. They re-entered the hidden chambers before Lesly unzipped and took off everything, standing bare before Luis, the grumpy emperor of his hidden chambers.

  “Heavens!” Luis looked down, then more, and then up. His energy was being restored as he thought, and he thought a lot every diminutive second. Lesly stood there with a smile, portraying her confident self as she grabbed her mugs and sipped.

  “W-what happened before? I recall hearing my WID alert…” Luis wanted to limit himself to watch as he cleared his mind, but before he knew it, his hands and fingertips were doing so many wrong things. Lesly wasn’t afflicted in the slightest as her cheeks slightly began to blush, “I took it for you. I had to come out to verify. The south has suddenly become restless. They report they don’t know what they are gonna do with their future relations with Lymoca.”

  “The south!?” Luis was shocked. He had already understood it had to be something serious, as his identity verification was only needed when matters were of vital significance. But hearing it was the south and their stance towards Lymoca, mostly because of his actions, was perturbing.

  “Mhm,” Lesly closed her eyes, basking. Luis’s sharp gray-black eyes darted left and right while Lesly was glorified. He then asked, “What parts of the south?”

  “Specifically…” Like before, Lesly spoke professionally, as always. But her voice became more breathless, stopping here or there, giving him glares for brief periods at times. “Namely, ah. Preato, Collan, Mount Veneta, and Cors.”

  “The others?” Luis asked, sobering up to stop for some moments. Lesly sighed in relief, slowly dropping her butt on the bed, still bare. “Everyone is already with us, but Argopolas and Melenon are a bit shaky. They want everything to continue running smooth. If they don’t, they might not…”

  “I understand,” Luis sat beside her. He placed his left hand on her thigh, making her jolt and continue on trembling. Lesly bit her lower lip, simply waiting. Her mugs were already empty. Luis added, “I’ll have to ask Roam to prepare a meeting. I will speak with… the whole south myself.”

  “He was waiting outside the office, you know? Sitting there… poor secretary. Shouldn’t you give him a raise for his loyalty by now?” Lesly warmly smiled, remembering something before saying those words. Luis looked at her eyes with his wide ones, “Were I to do that, how could I avoid making everyone hate Roam? My cabinet would grow mad.”

  “Hehehe,” Lesly giggled, her everything bouncing a little. She stayed like that, looking at her love. Luis didn’t overlook the fact she didn’t seem surprised that he wanted to meet all the presidents of south Moonblue together. Always expecting the peak of every situation from him.

  … After having a serious talk about life, Luis met with Roam and prepared that trip. Once he received notice that the southern presidents confirmed their attendance to Cors in a couple of hours, he reported it in a video after his morning press conference after teasing it all morning.

  The west was surprised and thoughtful. With the eastern situations bringing incertitude every time something happened, as it was still fresh; anything that pointed to a united non-hostile environment was well-welcomed.

  Especially today, on which the westerners woke up to news of terrible bombing occurring in the previously occupied anti-Zyck coalition territory. And with such happenings, this northern coalition spread rumors that Lymocan technology vehicles were sighted.

  ***

  3 hours after Fox left the northwestern Zyck front. Zyck capital city, after landing.

  Fox walked into the governmental palace and its central infrastructure alone. He left his chosen agents to arrange the rest to remain ready as soon as he got confirmation. This time, with the large-hit success in the northwestern front, he was confident to get what he wanted regardless.

  He was brought to the general war room. Not everyone was present this time. The Prime Minister, for example, was in a tour around the EPA Commonwealth to show the sight of Zyckevele everyone always recognized. Their humongous resources and advancing technology.

  Indeed, amidst a gigantic war, they were advertising their space pioneering projects for the proximate 40 to 80 years.

  Fox walked into the war room and met the Zyck President, his daughter, Socolov, and Nikitina and Kusmina. While the Prime Minister was busy playing the good image for his nation, Makory was in the south, taking care of matters to ascertain other countries’ slight movements.

  If you come across this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.

  All in all, everyone was on their tasks to secure their nation’s immediate situations.

  Fox was welcomed silently. He casually nodded in their direction before walking towards the table. Lemyonova stood up with a thin smile, pressing her lips. “It’s been a success. We’re grateful. But more importantly, we are intrigued to what do you have to offer now, Fox.”

  “We are on the same paragraph,” Fox commented. Indeed, just this clear and shortening beginning put him in the mood. He began, looking at the Zyck President, “Once we have the connection with the south, I will present my proposals.”

  “Very well,” Anastasiv nodded, his tone particularly strict. He then looked down before gesturing to Fox, fully extending his arm and walking around the table, “Let me have a word with you before then. Outside.”

  “…” Fox protruded his lips outwards and nodded with a tilt. He followed the Zyck President just outside the war room. Lemyonova and Socolov looked at their backs before exchanging a glance. The others didn’t even bother to react, but those 2 seemed a little anxious.

  Fox stood before the Zyck President, who grabbed his chin and looked past his shoulder. At last, the man spoke, with Fox blinking in silence for the umpteenth time. “President Luis speaks to me a lot about you. Don’t confuse me— this is even before you came here, or even the First Ters-Ly War. I couldn’t help but want to feel impressed by you all those years.”

  “Now…” Anastasiv looked at Fox directly in the face, a smile that didn’t belong to his daughter creeped onto his face. Fox blinked before blurting, adding, “I have impressed you— genuinely, that is. Am I still impressing you, president?”

  “…” Anastasiv slowly nodded a few times. He parted his lips, “You have gone through some different events. Even more so at the beginning of your life since… mm, Preut?”

  “It could be considered like that,” Fox nodded, absent-minded. He lifted his eyes and gazed at the Zyck President with barely a notion, “You want to see me in Socolov Vessiliev, for you to accept any bit of his situation with your daughter a bit…? So it can be a start, right?”

  “… I suppose it can be that simple.” Anastasiv contemplated for a couple of seconds before speaking. He further worded, “That seemed too on point. Do you have a daughter, too, Fox?”

  “Of course not.” Fox said without a change in his expression. Anastasiv close his eyes and nodded. But then, he questioned with a serious frown, “Are you sure? ‘Back then’, my father sprouted many roots, all illegitimate children. I was one of them. Nothing exceptional.”

  “I… am nothing of your father, president. It’s only lately that I’m ever close to such a possibility.” Fox blinked twice before helplessly commenting. Anastasiv humorously grinned for a moment before cordially gesturing to the gates.

  They went back inside. Everything remained the same. Only over 10 minutes later, Lean Somirnov arrived with a curious laptop in his arms. He carried it on his forearms to the table before connecting it with the table’s computing system below.

  Seconds later, the screen turned on, displaying Nala, Esmeralda, a military officer, and Makory’s faces. Fox felt his wives’ gazes immediately, and they felt his likewise. Their little moment, separated for a couple of weeks, was halted with the officer’s greetings.

  Even though Fox felt back at home, peaceful, and alone with them the moment he saw the gray, light blue and profound black eyes, he turned his focus to the officer.

  “Greetings, General Mark reporting to the President.” The officer began, “The situation in the south is stable. Orxa and Pexa’s occupied territories are tightly surrounded. We successfully impeded their further expansion into the rest of our southern peninsula. We have them growing desperate. News of the northern front’s situation are also helpful. They have toned it down a lot.”

  Anastasiv nodded before looking at Makory, who immediately followed, “Bad news from me. It’s Marcoplix. They’ve been planning an invasion into our southwestern peninsula. It can be traced that it’s been crafted for over several months, maybe as long as 2 years.”

  “…” Fox darted his eyes low for a few moments, returning them to the screen soon after. Anastasiv looked down, fallen into thought. Lemyonova crossed her arms with a slight frown, “Huh. They always liked that idea of bordering our Zyckevele. Wonder what else they were promised by they knows who. They must have also promised great options to Orxa under the table’s legs, not even just its surface. Those two…”

  “And Merula?” Anastasiv lifted his face to ask. The general nodded and answered, “Nothing changes. Our non-military shared waters remain as such, and they are even considering donating supplies to the civilians of not only our nation, but KAA, too.”

  “…” Anastasiv exhaled, feeling heavy but thinking of countermeasures. Fox could see it, and he too wondered what kind of shocking move their alliance could do. The first time KAA and Zyckevele joined hands was to put ANS in their place, turning their navy back to the north from harassing Lymoca’s considerably weaker navy.

  But Fox had neither the time nor the opportunity to see what it would be like. It must be a sure-hell impact to the eastern supercontinents, maybe including the EPA Commonwealth’s continent. But it was in his personal gains and Lymoca and Luis’s interests that it didn’t escalate to a full-on Sanctum Order War of the terrors from yore.

  He lifted his left hand facing the floor. Bringing attention to himself, just as the Zyck President seemed about to talk serious business with his highest echelons, Fox spoke; all eyes on him.

  “Marcoplix’s relations with Zyckevele and KAA were always neutral. They might have been aided and supported by even the Zyck Nation during the Veil Kingdom’s self-brought calamity of discontent. Before Zyckevele and Marcoplix were formed. But the moment they received aid from the west, something different from what the Veils have been through throughout history, they slapped their butts to the ground.”

  “ANS won’t be able to stop smiling and pissing itself from joy once Zyckevele and KAA go all-out. That’d bring enough for them to drop their lame facade of their so-called ‘harmony path’.” Fox’s words left the room speechless. Their first meeting was similar, but this time, he was more blatant and not even suspicious.

  Fox turned to the Zyck President. They already had everything thought out. If Fox was articulating it outside everyone’s mind, and without filter at that, then it meant he had something to offer. If anything, he was just establishing his foundation for him to present it.

  “I do have an idea. A plan, well… We just need to contact the right Dawn countries and tell KAA that if we are successful, they will receive my aid soon after. I better be free of speech after all of this has been said,” Fox walked to the table and looked at everyone.

  “…” Anastasiv gave his people a swift glance around himself before crossing his arms, caressing the corners of his mouth upside down. He instructed in a severe fashion, “Go ahead.”

  … After the extensive meeting; an entire hour of Fox unfolding his plans, his operations, and answering, clarifying, and even changing certain faulty and lacking points. The war room was a little too tense. Lemyonova breathed sharply in before letting out with billowed cheeks.

  Everyone began walking out. Fox stayed, Nala’s eyes locked onto him since the discussion ended. From one person to another leaving, only Fox and Anastasiv remained. The Zyck President cordially smirked at Fox as he walked around the table, leaving the room right after.

  Then, there were only 3. On the other side, Makory and general Mark had long left before Fox was left alone. With this silence, and being granted this chance, Fox found a smile on its way past the corners of his lips.

  “Did you like my gift?” Fox went straight to the point with quick words and an enthusiast attitude. He intently eyed Nala’s new high NUA, helmetless. For any security issues, it was not only checked by Miros and Colmillo, but it was even modified to suit Nala’s tastes and every need.

  “The next time you sell part of your body, at least benefit yourself, too.” Nala naturally replied. Fox grinned a little, while Esmeralda failed to cover her mouth efficiently, gaping it as she repeatedly glanced between Nala and Fox on the screen.

  “Do you come from a recent battle? You’re still wearing it… How does it feel?” Fox asked, this time with a fully unfolded smile. Nala narrowed her eyes, reminiscing. Her lips moved, tantalizing the already trained eyes and body of her husband, “Just fine. It’s so much freedom. No wonder this fool couldn’t make use of it.”

  “Hey…” Esmeralda cutely pouted. Nala smirked at her before glaring at Fox with lost eyes, bewitched. “Maybe you will get a feel of it, too. Soon.”

  “What do you mean?” Fox blinked, unaware. Nala did nothing except smirk, leaving the answer in the air yet refusing to speak it openly. Such was torture. And yet, before he could sigh with the exasperation only a husband is rightful of, Nala added, “You can have it after this.”

  “!” That was everything Fox required for his polycoria eyes to shrink, and their impenetrable black pools to number 4 on each eye. Like a dog with its tail trying to fly its body into the sky, Fox was spoiled and contented. He didn’t need to ask Nala if she was sure. She was his to do whatever he wanted now and hereon.

  “We’ll meet shortly. Mn, pick your choices, we are taking extra vacations to Dawn. Leave some PSD to garner experience.” Fox needed a moment before breathing in. He needed fresh air in his system. Nala nodded before turning to Esmeralda, giving her a glare with her chin slightly down.

  “What? He- he doesn’t even know how I’ve been doing, and-” Esmeralda widened her eyes, turning her face to Nala, but she was stopped by Nala, who grabbed her wrist and shook her head.

  “If he needed to ask me that, do you think he’ll feel this… giddy and satisfied? Sigh, look at him. Or do you just think you’re not enough? Pick!” Nala didn’t give Esme any moment to decide or speak for herself again. She was like a good mother counting to 3; Esmeralda obeyed her.

  “Alright, I do have some in mind. They were a great aid to the Zyck forces and the other PR agents…” Esmeralda rambled a little. She seemed timid, but the blush on her cheeks and neck didn’t escape Fox’s blinking polycoria eyes. More so Nala’s nods, as if satisfied with Esmeralda’s proactiveness.

  Taking note of their relationship, of which it seemed that Nala did more than discipline Esmeralda during her training, but on other forms of ‘training’ as well, Fox slowly felt himself become additionally diligent. They were the people he wanted to protect from the entire world; nothing in between.

  “See you,” Fox suddenly worded. Esmeralda and Nala were a little taken aback, although it was Esme who showed it the most. He was so adorable just now… They exchanged a glance before replying. Esmeralda had a sweet blush on her face as she tried to act mature, failing to restrain a wide smile. “I’ll be waiting for you.”

  “Come back to us soon,” Nala softly articulated. Esmeralda lifted her left eyebrow and eyed her, deeply impressed with her suave side. Fox grinned. Could there be any motherfucker luckier than him in the world?

  Just before Fox concluded the call, turning the laptop off and disconnecting it from the table, he thought he saw something in Esmeralda’s eyes change. They trembled ever so slightly. He repassed the notion in his head until he closed the laptop and carried it outside.

  The sentiment was still stuck to his head, but there was nothing to do about it now. Fox opened the gates and focused on what was ahead. As Nala put it, they might get back to their married lifestyle after this was over.

  Knight Assembly Association was holding strongly against the enemy, that coalition of 3 unlikely allied countries. This was even when they were only using about a third of their entire resources and manpower, keeping the rest to the borders on their west.

  After all, while Orcesta, Fresna, Orxa, and Pexa knew not to underestimate Zyckevele’s boundless arsenal, Knight Assembly Association remembered the horror from the past. It would not be repeated.

  …