A Drink for the Commander
The name slipped out, and Gideon’s face twisted with obvious shock and bewilderment.
His eyes widened sharply, and for a moment he simply froze, breath locked.
“How the hell did you find that out?”
His voice shook.
It wasn’t just the surprise of an outsider learning about the blood feud inside the company. Something far deeper—distrust—clung to his gaze.
If I put myself in Gideon’s shoes right now, I could almost feel his thoughts.
“So you really did.”
At my confirmation, his lips trembled.
He swallowed hard, then flicked a quick glance toward the door of the command office as if checking for spies.
Even at the highest security level, the unease refused to leave him.
“How did you learn all this?”
I couldn’t lay everything out.
Revealing that it came from the game’s future would earn me either a one-way ticket to the madhouse or a trip to some analysis wing.
“Information sources don’t matter, Commander.”
I answered as vaguely as possible.
“What matters is that I know your enemy. And maybe I can help you.”
I left the door open on purpose.
He needed to want me around.
Not just as a regular merc, but as the joker who could actually shift the board.
Gideon stared at me for a long beat, chewing on my words.
His mind was clearly running a hundred calculations.
Whether I would actually deliver, and what my real angle was.
“Help.”
The word hadn’t even left my mouth when he stabbed a button on the desk.
“Full lockdown on this office. Until I give the order, nobody enters.”
[Understood, Commander.]
The reply crackled over the intercom, and a crimson lock light flared on the door.
Gideon rose and walked toward me slowly.
“What information do you have? And what do you want in return?”
He hadn’t expected me to offer anything out of goodwill.
“I don’t know that much,” I said, keeping the quantity deliberately small. “Only that Vance has been plotting your downfall with surgical precision for a long time.”
“There’s no need to know the full process or outcome,” I added, because the game had never spelled it out clearly.
I met his eyes straight on.
“What I want is simple. When I’m in a tight spot, I want you to have my back, Commander Gideon.”
“Tight spot? Some kind of story?”
I paused, then tossed out the last part like it was nothing.
“Listen, it might sound cocky, but just trust me and follow my lead and we’ll take that smug bastard down.”
Gideon let out a stunned laugh, but his face stayed serious.
His eyebrows drew together in deep thought.
He was already weighing the risks against the promise of an easy victory over Vance and the internal war inside the company.
After a long hesitation he finally spoke.
“Fine. I trust you. You’ve clearly figured out my situation—why wouldn’t I believe you? Did you approach Yuna for this too?”
I shrugged.
“Call it that.”
One eyebrow arched.
“But there’s probably more.”
“Of course. Extra benefits.”
I spoke honestly.
“Safe base, access to the information I need, and fair compensation.”
“If your info is correct and it’s what finally takes Vance out…” Gideon leaned back. “I’ll follow your lead.”
He slid a data chip across the desk.
It held the location of a secure room, temporary clearance codes, and emergency contact details for direct communication.
“I’ll spin it as your direct special agent,” he continued. “That way he’ll leave you alone for a while.”
There was real confidence in his tone.
“Today’s enough. I need time to think. We’ll talk again tomorrow.”
I rose and offered a crisp salute, then stepped out.
Even as the door sealed behind me, Gideon remained at his desk, eyes locked on the holographic screen, lost in thought.
In the corridor I let out a long breath.
The gamble was dangerous, but it had paid off.
I plugged the data chip into my terminal. The temporary clearance activated instantly, granting access to the entire facility.
“Perfect.”
“You sound like it all went well.”
I turned to see Yuna leaning against the wall, arms crossed, waiting.
“Long wait?”
“Thought I might lose the way.”
“Commander Gideon said you’re staying here for now. Room’s already assigned.”
“Yeah?”
She answered shortly, then rolled her eyes.
“So… you’re joining us after all?”
She gave me a meaningful look.
“Maybe.”
The elevator doors slid open. I waved her inside.
“For now, let’s say yes.”
A faint smile touched her lips as she followed me in.
Through the closing doors the glittering night skyline of Icarus Technology’s Far East Branch unfolded below us.
We stepped out of the secure quarters inside the complex.
“Cheap motels don’t begin to compare. This is next-level luxury.”
The suite had full shower facilities, basic comforts, and a bed soft enough to sink into.
I stepped under the hot spray and let the heat melt away the ache from battle and the knot of tension in my shoulders. Fatigue crashed over me in one wave.
I dropped onto the bed and let the mattress cradle me.
On the table sat a neatly folded Icarus uniform—gray and white, high-end fabric, nothing like the battle-worn clothes I’d worn from the Chronos Mercenary Corps.
I changed into it, lay down, and the personal terminal chimed.
Sender: Yuna.
[Titan wants to meet you in the lounge right now.]
[I’ll be there soon. You coming?]
I glanced at the steady number of incoming messages and headed for the lounge.
**********
The lounge inside the Icarus facility felt like an upscale hotel bar—elegant, spacious, low lighting, plush sofas, low tables, and an entire wall of panoramic windows showing the complex’s night view.
I walked in and spotted two men already settled at a corner table.
Doctor and Titan.
Doctor wore a crisp shirt. Titan was in a skin-tight black short-sleeve knit that left nothing to the imagination.
A gleaming gold chain rested at his throat. Instead of the medical patch, he wore new sunglasses.
“The main character of the day has arrived!”
Titan spotted me and waved wildly, voice booming across the lounge. Heads turned.
“Come, sit.”
I took the seat and Titan crossed his arms, staring me down openly.
“What’s with the clothes? You look just like Doctor.”
“You told me to dress comfortably, right? You’re the one overdoing it.”
At my retort Titan grinned, slapped a hand on my shoulder, and leaned in close.
“You don’t know, do you? Icarus nights are long and this lounge is basically a playground for anything you can imagine.”
The smell of strong liquor and expensive cologne hit me.
“Save the jokes.”
Doctor set his glass down and shut him up.
“Marcus Cole, that’s my name. Call me Marcus or Titan, whatever you like.”
He stated his real name first.
“Aris Thorn, Doctor’s fine. Since we’re going to be working together a lot, a proper introduction is polite.”
Marcus Cole and Aris Thorn—those were the names.
Awkward, but I nodded anyway.
“Jinwoo Kang, same.”
After the awkward introductions we started small talk.
Doctor—Aris—immediately launched into questions about my mecha’s abnormal energy output and my reaction times.
“Fascinating. Doesn’t match any known augmentation data.”
Marcus launched into a vivid recounting of the battle.
“Haha! That railgun shot! Felt so damn good! The enemy’s face must have been priceless! Of course my Atlas is in pieces, but no regrets! That’s how men fight!”
He slammed back another drink, recounting every heroic detail.
While we talked and drank, I realized Yuna still hadn’t shown up.
She should have been invited too.
Maybe she had refused.
With her cold personality, that made sense.
Then Titan snapped his fingers at someone.
“Oh look, there’s that flashy one! Who’s the lucky guy?”
I turned instinctively.
Yuna walked in through the lounge entrance.
The black dress clung to her curves, silver-white hair cascading over her shoulders, a small diamond necklace flashing at her throat.
She accepted every stare with perfect poise and walked straight to our table without hesitation.
“Titan, or should I say Marcus, did you shoot it?”
“Uh, just a little. It’s not like today’s the only day, right? And I was telling Jinwoo.”
He shrugged as if offering help.
Yuna glanced at him, sat, and raised her hand for the waiter. The moment she did, Marcus’s black skin began to pale.
“Oh, what a clueless woman. Guess you’ve never touched a man’s hand before.”
“…”
She let out a short scoff and immediately downed the glass the waiter set in front of her.
“Hey! That costs several thousand credits a glass! Save some for later.”
Marcus sighed dramatically.
“You too, Jinwoo.”
“Yeah, sure. Drink up, Marcus.”
“Glug.”
The heavy swallow made my throat burn like fire.
“Same thing?”
“What the hell is this stuff? Did I drink it all at once?”
“That’s my favorite.”
Yuna stared at me with sultry eyes and raised her hand again.
“What would you like?”
The waiter hadn’t even finished his greeting when Marcus shouted.
“Bring the whole bottle.”
“Understood.”
“Better than ordering glass after glass and going bankrupt like last time.”
“So… you want me to order by the bottle from now on?”
At Yuna’s answer Marcus looked stunned, as if he’d just realized his mistake.
At least it’s over with Gideon.
I exhaled and stretched my arms.
The data chip he gave me was now active. Temporary clearance unlocked everything.
“That went well,” I muttered to myself.
“The story ended nicely, huh?”
I turned my head. Yuna leaned against the wall, arms crossed, waiting exactly where I’d left her.
“You waited long?”
“Thought I might get lost on the way.”
“Commander Gideon said you’re staying here for the time being. Room’s already assigned.”
“Really?”
She answered shortly and rolled her eyes.
“So… you’re joining us after all?”
She gave me a meaningful look.
“Maybe.”
The elevator doors opened. I waved her inside.
“For now, let’s say yes.”
A faint smile touched her lips as she followed me in.
Through the closing doors the glittering night skyline of Icarus Technology’s Far East Branch unfolded below us.
We stepped out of the secure quarters inside the complex.
“Cheap motels don’t begin to compare. This is next-level luxury.”
The suite had full shower facilities, basic comforts, and a bed soft enough to sink into.
I stepped under the hot spray and let the heat melt away the ache from battle and the knot of tension in my shoulders. Fatigue crashed over me in one wave.
I dropped onto the bed and let the mattress cradle me.
On the table sat a neatly folded Icarus uniform—gray and white, high-end fabric, nothing like the battle-worn clothes I’d worn from the Chronos Mercenary Corps.
I changed into it, lay down, and the personal terminal chimed.
Sender: Yuna.
[Titan wants to meet you in the lounge right now.]
[I’ll be there soon. You coming?]
I glanced at the steady number of incoming messages and headed for the lounge.
********
The lounge inside the Icarus facility felt like an upscale hotel bar—elegant, spacious, low lighting, plush sofas, low tables, and an entire wall of panoramic windows showing the complex’s night view.
I walked in and spotted two men already settled at a corner table.
Doctor and Titan.
Doctor wore a crisp shirt. Titan was in a skin-tight black short-sleeve knit that left nothing to the imagination.
A gleaming gold chain rested at his throat. Instead of the medical patch, he wore new sunglasses.
“The main character of the day has arrived!”
Titan spotted me and waved wildly, voice booming across the lounge. Heads turned.
“Come, sit.”
I took the seat and Titan crossed his arms, staring me down openly.
“What’s with the clothes? You look just like Doctor.”
“You told me to dress comfortably, right? You’re the one overdoing it.”
At my retort Titan grinned, slapped a hand on my shoulder, and leaned in close.
“You don’t know, do you? Icarus nights are long and this lounge is basically a playground for anything you can imagine.”
The smell of strong liquor and expensive cologne hit me.
“Save the jokes.”
Doctor set his glass down and shut him up.
“Marcus Cole, that’s my name. Call me Marcus or Titan, whatever you like.”
He stated his real name first.
“Aris Thorn, Doctor’s fine. Since we’re going to be working together a lot, a proper introduction is polite.”
Marcus Cole and Aris Thorn—those were the names.
Awkward, but I nodded anyway.
“Jinwoo Kang, same.”
After the awkward introductions we started small talk.
Doctor—Aris—immediately launched into questions about my mecha’s abnormal energy output and my reaction times.
“Fascinating. Doesn’t match any known augmentation data.”
Marcus launched into a vivid recounting of the battle.
“Haha! That railgun shot! Felt so damn good! The enemy’s face must have been priceless! Of course my Atlas is in pieces, but no regrets! That’s how men fight!”
He slammed back another drink, recounting every heroic detail.
While we talked and drank, I realized Yuna still hadn’t shown up.
She should have been invited too.
Maybe she had refused.
With her cold personality, that made sense.
Then Titan snapped his fingers at someone.
“Oh look, there’s that flashy one! Who’s the lucky guy?”
I turned instinctively.
Yuna walked in through the lounge entrance.
The black dress clung to her curves, silver-white hair cascading over her shoulders, a small diamond necklace flashing at her throat.
She accepted every stare with perfect poise and walked straight to our table without hesitation.
“Titan, or should I say Marcus, did you shoot it?”
“Uh, just a little. It’s not like today’s the only day, right? And I was telling Jinwoo.”
He shrugged as if offering help.
Yuna glanced at him, sat, and raised her hand for the waiter. The moment she did, Marcus’s black skin began to pale.
“Oh, what a clueless woman. Guess you’ve never touched a man’s hand before.”
“…”
She let out a short scoff and immediately downed the glass the waiter set in front of her.
“Hey! That costs several thousand credits a glass! Save some for later.”
Marcus sighed dramatically.
“You too, Jinwoo.”
“Yeah, sure. Drink up, Marcus.”
“Glug.”
The heavy swallow made my throat burn like fire.
“Same thing?”
“What the hell is this stuff? Did I drink it all at once?”
“That’s my favorite.”
Yuna stared at me with sultry eyes and raised her hand again.
“What would you like?”
The waiter hadn’t even finished his greeting when Marcus shouted.
“Bring the whole bottle.”
“Understood.”
“Better than ordering glass after glass and going bankrupt like last time.”
“So… you want me to order by the bottle from now on?”
At Yuna’s answer Marcus looked stunned, as if he’d just realized his mistake.
“You’re not drinking?”
“I’m not in the mood.”
“I’ll go with you.”
“No need. You go ahead.”
“But I’m the one who called you here.”
“I can handle a few drinks. You don’t have to babysit.”
“That’s not babysitting. It’s… just company.”
“Company?”
“Yeah. You’re new here and I thought I should make sure you’re comfortable.”
“Comfortable?”
“Don’t worry about it. Just sit and relax. I’ll handle everything.”
“…”
Yuna stared at me for a long moment, then finally nodded.
“Fine. I’ll go with you.”
“Good.”
We left the lounge and walked toward the secure room.
“How much longer do you think you’ll stay?”
“I’m not sure yet. Until Gideon tells me to leave.”
“He won’t leave you alone for a while.”
“No, he won’t.”
“You seem confident.”
“I am. But that’s not the only reason.”
“What else?”
“Nothing. Just… a feeling.”
“A feeling?”
“Yeah. After all the battles we’ve fought together, I feel like I can trust you.”
“…”
Yuna fell silent for a moment.
“…I feel the same.”
“Good.”
We reached the room and I opened the door.
The moment we stepped inside, a soft chime sounded from the terminal.
[New message from Gideon.]
“Gideon?”
“Already?”
“He said he’d be in touch tomorrow, but he must have changed his mind.”
I opened the message.
[Commander, the data chip is active. Use it as you see fit. Also, remember to maintain distance from Vance. He’s already suspicious of me.]
“He’s already suspicious of you?”
“He’s good. That’s why he’s dangerous.”
“So what now?”
“We wait. He’ll come to us.”
“You really think so?”
“I do.”
We sat down and began reviewing the data on the chip.
After a while Yuna spoke again.
“Jinwoo.”
“Yeah?”
“Thank you.”
“For what?”
“For trusting me.”
“…”
I looked at her for a long moment.
“You’re welcome.”
We continued reading the data in silence.
The night outside the windows grew darker.
But inside the secure room, something new had begun.
********
The next morning, the secure room’s door opened.
Gideon walked in, face serious.
“I have an update. Julian Vance has been arrested.”
“Already?”
“The evidence was overwhelming. He was executed last night.”
“Executed?”
“Yes. As per the laws of the corporation.”
“…I see.”
“It wasn’t part of our plan, but it worked out. He’s gone.”
“Gone.”
“Yes. You did well, Driller.”
“Driller?”
“That’s the name you’ve been using in the field. It suits you.”
“…”
I didn’t correct him.
“The rest of the board is in chaos. But as long as you stay within the rules, you’ll be fine.”
“Rules?”
“Yes. Icarus Technology’s rules.”
“…”
“You understand.”
“I do.”
“Good. Then I’ll leave you to your work.”
Gideon turned and left.
I stared at the empty room for a long time.
“…It’s done.”
The game had changed.
But the real fight was only beginning.
********
That afternoon I was in the lounge again, this time alone.
Yuna had been pulled into meetings.
I sat at the same table, watching the city lights.
Then a voice called out.
“Hey, Cog 7.”
I turned.
Titan was waving me over.
“Come here. I have something to show you.”
“What is it?”
“Just come.”
We walked to a private viewing room.
Titan opened a holographic display.
“Look at this.”
On the screen was a new mecha frame.
“Asura?”
“Yeah. You remember the Keraunos Pile Bunker?”
“Of course.”
“I modified it. Combined it with Knightfall’s frame.”
“You did?”
“Yeah. It’s ready for you.”
“…Thanks.”
“Don’t thank me yet. It still needs testing.”
“I’ll test it.”
“Good. Then let’s go.”
We left the lounge and headed for the hangar.
The air smelled of ozone and new metal.
Titan opened the canopy of a sleek black mecha.
“This is Abaddon. Your next ride.”
“Abaddon?”
“Yeah. It’s named after the old god. Fitting for a pilot like you.”
“…”
I climbed in.
The cockpit was spacious, controls intuitive.
“Let’s see what it can do.”
Titan laughed.
“Go ahead.”
I fired up the engines.
The ground shook.
“Holy crap.”
“Told you it was ready.”
We rose into the sky.
Above the clouds, the black mecha danced.
“This is what I’ve been waiting for.”
“Yeah.”
“Let’s take it for a spin around the planet.”
“Sure.”
We flew through the clouds.
The sun set behind us.
“This is the life.”
“It is.”
“I’m glad I trusted you, Driller.”
“…”
“Me too.”
We continued flying.
The stars came out.
Above us, the galaxy waited.
But this time, we were the ones flying it.