Chapter 16
One single word: awesome. Eagle was simply awesome. Umi could barely take her eyes off Eagle's combat robot.
A whole year had passed until he could fulfill his promise, but there she was, in the Military Academy Stadium of Autozam seeing the most amazing combat that she could think of. Of course, she had seen and experienced firsthand the dexterity and power of the commander aboard the FTO, but watching him comfortably seated in the presidential box instead of the battlefield as an adversary or combat partner... the young Ryuuzaky could get used to it. And what a view!
-Wonderful! His technique is impeccable - said the young woman – and so energetic!
-Did you had doubts of the abilities of my son, Umi? - Asked the President.
-Of course not! I know very well his skills from the Battle for the Pillar. In fact, I was a victim of them - she laughed naturally.
-Well well! This son of mine and his first impressions to the ambassadors - he joked and both laughed soon returning to observe the battle. - But it is true. Today he is particularly magnificent - I wonder why or... whom, the president thought while he glanced at the young woman, his beard hiding the corners of his mouth as his lips curled in a pleased smile.
-At this rate, I think it will be necessary to create more adjectives magnificent will soon be short for him – she spoke without taking his eyes off the FTO. Eagle's attacks were fast and precise, definitely lethal for any newbie. However, that was not the case. Commander Airdom was also an excellent opponent, as you would expect from a high military officer. More than a matter of powerful machines, that was a battle between expert strategists and precise reflexes – Both of them are impressive.
-Nobody gets to the finals in any other way, my dear - Umi smiled at the pride more than justified in Silver's voice. - And? Who do you think is going to win? - He asked at the time that the FTO rammed the other robot with a force that caused a roar from the spectators.
She could not answer immediately for holding her breath as she saw that the defensive barrier of Eagle's opponent was throwing away the FTO. The exclamations of the people attending to the stadium did not wait and only became stronger after watching how the acclaimed Commander Vision made a deft turn in the air and the FTO landed nimbly instead of going against the containment field made of the sand. Umi smiled satisfied - It is quite even - she finally replied. - But ... I am certain that a certain beloved invader will not let be overcome so easily - her voice was firm and her eyes showing complete security while saying this.
Indeed it was. Despite being even with the other commander, Eagle Vision was not someone who would let himself be defeated so easily, nor in real life and nor in a tournament. Much less with such an illustrious guest observing him. With calm, he let himself be attacked by Airdom, stopping his movements only at the last second, but never counterattacked. Throughout the stadium, you could hear murmurs of the perplexed people. For its part, both Geo and Zazu had already realized the intentions of his superior and waited expectantly for the result in their support positions outside the arena. The same happened in the box with Umi, who without realizing had clutched with both hands the skirt of her autozamits dress. The wait did not last much longer.
In a flicker, Airdom made his last attack with everything in him to end the combat but he never made contact. The FTO disappeared before his eyes, only to reappear right behind him. Turning and giving the last hit would have been the easiest thing in the world, if not because Eagle had launched his attack long before his evasive maneuver. Airdom realized that he was unable to activate his robot. In just second, that was already too late, he realized that he had done exactly what Vision had wanted and disabled his robot by entering inside an electromagnetic pulse circle. Restarting would only take a few seconds, but it was obvious that his opponent would not give them to him. Everything had been so fast that only now he was taken into account (like everyone in the stadium) that the FTO had launched small cables that had penetrated the fuselage of their machine in the four main joints. They were not too deep, but they were right and precise. The electric shock that followed ended up disabling Airdom.
Then… silence… one second, two seconds ... and a stronger burst just like a thunder expanded throughout the stadium. Between applause and cheering it was difficult distinguish isolated words, even after jumping from the FTO, to Eagle It cost him to make sense of the tangle of sounds, but little by little it became clear that they were chanting his last name. Soon he was joined by Airdom, his robot would have to be a good time in repairs before returning to be functional, but he was in perfect condition and like the honorable knight and soldier he was, congratulated the winner.
-Excellent combat, Vision - He shook his hand.
-Same you, Airdom - smiled brightly, returning the handshake
Now the two could hear very clearly the chorus of "Vision! Airdom!" in each corner of the stadium and they could not help but sketch their best smiles to greet the more than satisfied spectators. They took the time to thank in all directions and when they finally faced the Presidential box, between applause and ovations, both gave Silver his military salute and more respectful bow. Not without before, at least in Eagle's case, giving a quick glance at an ecstatic Umi that although being perfectly still, she was unable to hide her pride or stop applauding. Eagle could not feel more satisfied when bowing.
As for the president, he had observed attentively every movement of his son, he was proud of him. In addition, he could not feel less than satisfaction at seeing the trust and admiration reflected in the eyes of the young earthling. Silver loved Umi like a daughter, even more now that he knew that Eagle... Well, everything at his time. After all, he and Avis had not ended together overnight. Most definitely no, and still, the president treasured in his memory every moment of what, according to his friends, had been the longest courtship in the history of their universe. Each small approach, gesture and second had been worth it. Now it was their son's turn.
The award ceremony followed with all the solemnity and celebration expected. A few hours passed before the crowd calmed down and both commanders could retire to celebrate privately. Eagle's relief was huge when he finally saw the door to his bedroom. He knew that nothing would spare him from the celebration with his father, Geo, Zazu and Umi, just crossing his door, but it was fine, he wanted to do it.
He opened the door and Zazu was already on him, the boy already reached Umi in stature, but keep to his old customs,
Geo struggled to remove the mechanic oh Eagle, but soon after Umi embraced him, this he was not expecting, this lovely young woman hanging from his neck.
-You were fantastic! - She relaxed the hug a little bit so she could look at him directly.
I could get used to this, were his thoughts - Thanks, Umi.
-We were lucky you were horribly sick when you wanted to invade Cephiro – she teased.
-And you had to remember it- he complained half-jokingly.
-You almost broke my arm the first time we saw each other- she reminded him, raising a delicate eyebrow.
-That's Eagle - Geo interjected. - Nothing like hurting someone to make friends
-Extreme tradition, but it works - Zazu continued, to which all erupted in laughter, including the victim. Umi had already released Eagle, but he was just a step away and right in front of him, feeding the jokes against him and gaining comment about the bad diplomatic strategy that was verbally assault a commander of an allied nation.
Sitting at the foot of his son's bed, Silver watched everything with mirth. At what point his restless boy had become in this bright young soldier?. He smiled at the thought of how proud his dear Avis would have been to see their son became in this fine man. Regarding his relationship with Umi, he knew she would have been happy. The boy had good taste!. Things would move at their own accord and without pressure, but the eldest of the Vision had no doubt that they would reach a good port. The caring, confidence and respect for his son were already in her. With Eagle, there was no turning back, that was a fact. And once the boy had an idea in his head... well.
TBC...