Hey Everybody! I am so sorry for the wait! I was working on my other story, ANGEL, which can be found on Fiction Press, this site's sister site. Siteception. Anyway, here is chapter 07. I hope y'all like it!

*Meanwhile*

The 2nd Fleet of the European Union is at a stand-off with the Red Republic's Dragon Fleet over the resource rich planet known as Feltesia. The captain of the European flagship, the EUS Europa, storms onto the bridge. "Ensign Bonnefoy, raise their flagship!" he orders. "Oui, capitaine," replies the ensign. A well decorated Chinese officer appears on screen.

"Ah, Captain Arthur Kirkland, we meet at last. I have heard of your exploits in the Guundarian Rift. Quite impressive, aru," says the Admiral with a snide smirk.

"Enough of this game, Admiral Yao! Pull your fleet back immediately. The European Union has had a claim on this planet for six months," snaps Arthur.

"Ah, yes. You should know by now that words and documents mean nothing the Red Republic. Funny, I cannot help but to point out the grave level of hypocrisy in this situation. During the great European imperial race of the 1800s, the rule was, if I recall, 'boots on the ground.' We, have the boots. You have nothing. You pull back or face the might of Dragon Fleet, aru," retorts Admiral Yao.

"Then you leave me no choice. By the time this battle is over, you will be as the creature for which your fleet was named: nonexistent. FIRE!"

Suddenly, ships on both sides open fire. Within moments, ships are exploding on either side. Captain Arthur grabs a microphone and broadcasts, "We are under attack! Scramble all fighters!" At the sound of this message, Major Ludwig Beilschmidt and his brother Gilbert put on their flight helmets and climb into the nearest star fighter. They, along with many others, takeoff and speed toward the enemy fleet. As they race toward their target, the Dragon Fleet's fight squadrons deploy. They almost double the number of European fighters. "Heilige Scheiße! All right everyone! This is it! ATTACK!" shouts Ludwig. The fighters clash in a flurry of lasers and explosions.

Captain Arthur contacts the head of the heavy gunship division, Captain Basch Zwingli. "Captain Zwingli, we need those carriers destroyed immediately!" says Arthur.

"Understood! All ships, concentrate fire on the nearest star craft carrier!" he orders. The gunship fleet changes course.

Inside the Red Republic flagship, the RRS Zedong, the Admiral Yao is among his top advisors inside the combat command center. "Status report, aru!" commands Yao. "Sir, it appears that their heavily armed frigates have changed course toward the carrier fleet. The must be trying to knock out our fighter support," replies an advisor. "Then tell all fighters to stop those frigates, aru!" orders Yao. The advisor nods and returns to his station. As the battle rages, Gilbert notices several divisions of fighters pull away from the fray. "Ludwig! Some bogies are up to no good!" he says. "Roger that, I see them. Divisions 3 and 8, on me! Gilbert, keep any Reds off my tail!" commands Ludwig. "Roger that!" says Gilbert. Ludwig leads the 3rd and 8th Division after the separated enemy fighters. They clash among the frigates. The European fighters eventually drive the Communist fighters away, but two of the nine heavy gunships were lost. The gunships finally reach the carrier fleet. "FIRE AT WILL!" shouts Captain Zwingli. The heavy frigate fleet opens fire, tearing the carriers apart. Before they can finish off the last carrier, the RRS Zedong intervenes. It effortlessly crushes the heavy gunship fleet. "Captain Zwingli, get out of there!" shouts Captain Kirkland. "It's too late for me! Just win this battle!" he retorts. With that, the Zedong's "Dragon's Breath" particle accelerator cannon obliterates Zwingli's frigate in a single blow.

"Damn it! Engage the enemy flagship!" commands Captain Kirkland. The Europa sails full speed ahead until it is adjacent to the Zedong. The two dreadnoughts open fire on each other. They blast away at each other for several minutes, but the Europa's superior shielding technology prevails. The Zedong begins to explode and fall apart. Admiral Yao and his top advisors make their way to the escape pods. "You haven't seen the last of me, Captain Kirkland, ARU!" Shouts Yao as his escape pod jettisons into the blackness of space. Yao contacts Admiral Ivan Braginski. "Come in, RSS Lenin. This is Admiral Yao, I need immediate pick up. My fleet was defeated by the European Union." After a few moments, a response is heard. "We hear you loud and clear, Admiral. Bear Fleet en route."

Once the few remaining Communist ships retreat, Captain Kirkland survey's the damage. The EU 2nd Fleet lost 17 cruisers, 21,000+ personnel. The RR Dragon Fleet lost 22 cruisers, 27,000+ personnel. Arthur takes off his hat and orders a fleet wide moment of silence for the loss Captain Basch Zwingli.

Alfred and Kiku are leaving the Great Union Theater. They are holding hands, laughing and talking about the play. They stop at the top of the steps. Alfred looks at his watch. "Hm… It's only ten past five, what to do?" he mumbles. Kiku, not fully understanding him, says, "I want to try a hamburger." Alfred looks down at the beautiful Asian with look of disbelief. "You mean to tell me, that you have never had a hamburger?" asks Alfred. "Well, no, actually. I haven't," replies Kiku. "Well then, kid, I know just where to get one. Let's go," says Alfred, dragging Kiku by the wrist over to hail a taxi. Kid…

They arrive at a large, lit up stadium. Alfred gets out, walks round the back of the car, and opens the door for Kiku. Once out, he takes Kiku by the hand and leads him into the stadium. The ticket collector looks at him, smiles, then lets him pass without a ticket. "You are quite revered, Alfred," comments Kiku. "Nah, I just know people," replies Alfred. He leads Kiku to the third row from the court. "Perfect! Close enough to smell the sweat, far enough to avoid the ball," says Alfred with a big smile. "Avoid the ball?" asks Kiku. "Yeah. This is a basketball game," replies Alfred, his face lighting up. It was becoming very obvious to Kiki that Alfred loved basketball. After a few minutes, the game starts. The announcer calls out the teams, introduces the coaches, and mentions the sponsors. What happened next, neither Alfred nor Kiku were prepared for.