The 2nd army has always been bullied by other fleet due to the fact that most of the soldiers here are commoners, noble children wouldn't want to be affiliated with them because of their status, though it's unbecoming for a soldier to treat their comrades this way.
But after the promotion of Marshall Cross, the 2nd army finally stabilize, other army fleet could no longer look down on them. If they did they would be questioning their Marshall and with the rumors circulating around the empire that Maddox was dating Cross, they would also be affecting Maddox.
People had already accepted Maddox and Cross being together, while secretly having a child behind everyone's knowledge. Even if the rich noble ladies who idolize Cross wanted to complain they couldn't because Maddox has become a true noble man with a higher status and he was a genius that the empire value.
He had all the aspects anyone would want to have, wealth, prestige and looks. Seven being their son only awed the people after they learned how powerful he was. But unbeknownst to what people were thinking the two weren't even a couple and Seven definitely wasn't their child.
Seven who had observed for 5 years hadn't seen the two act intimate or were they. Maddox was pretty much fixated with research in Seven while Cross was busy with the military and personally training him. The only time they could bond was during their meal and if need someone to test research related issues. But they seem happy as far as he could see.
He even thought to himself that maybe he was the reason this two hadn't become a couple, but immediately realized he was the reason the two got closer. So what were this two adults waiting for.
On Cross side, though he did find Maddox attractive at some point, he was not really sure if what he felt right now would be enough for him to spend thousands of years with him. He also needs to consider Maddox's feelings for him, if he were to suddenly confess and turn out that he didn't feel the same wouldn't the years they spend together be broken. It was much better staying this way, anyway what they had now was also good, he can spend some time with the two during meal time and rest days. So he didn't confirm nor deny the rumors.
As for Maddox, he didn't need to care about the rumors, as long as his still free to do everything he wanted then who care about what they say. In all honesty he wouldn't mind being with Cross, the man was outstanding, he was rich, had a handsome face that anyone would want in their lover. To sum it up he was perfect.
Also spending time with him for the past few years made him comfortable with his presence. He respected and accepted him when he was almost ruined when his research was stolen. He also took care of Seven who no longer had a family to take care of him.
There's also the fact that Cross hadn't denied the rumors of them being lover and Seven being his child, so in his mind they were already a family.
If Seven were to hear what the two were thinking, he would probably beat this two up. Another thing that had happened the past 5 years was that whenever he and Magus meet, he would smile at him and gave him candy, so others had thought that the two we're friends.
In reality Magus did want to be friends with him, he was talented and he liked and admire this kind of people, more importantly Cross and Maddox think highly of Seven, but too bad for him, Seven wasn't very fond of him, especially when he smile.
If he were to know that the reason was because he had the same smile as his brother he might have complained about it to his parents. Don't look at how mature he was, there were still time that even he would argue about his siblings.
Another rumors about him had spread on the starnet and virtual network. No other people could match the reputation of the Wimbroase and so they would be having a hard time finding marriage partner for their children, so when Seven, the rumored son of Maddox and Cross was chosen as Magus' fiance.
There was also one saying that he was an illegitimate son of the Marshall but couldn't let anyone knew about it so they could only secretly look after him. His brother, Magus pity him and would take the time to play with him.
Some were so ridiculous that the royal family had to step in and clarify the issue. Seven lamented on this fact, people were indeed quick to judge.
But if they were to see the reaction on Seven's face under the mask whenever they met, they would probably think twice. The matter only quited when the summer strike and the galaxies would be infected with Zergs.
The North were first to be affected, this place is one of the area protected by the 1st battalion. While the 3rd guards the center which was empire itself, the 2nd protects the west, 4th and 5th keep in check to the east and south respectively. People could no longer talk about superficial rumors when the empire was in danger.
Zerg multiply easily and their birth rate was tremendously high. In order to stop this mother Zerg from creating an army they needed to kill it and break all the eggs.
Seven who turned 10 was more aware of how dangerous the Zerg was. They were parasitic insect that would host on humans body until they will sip all the nutrients they could get.
The soldiers at the 2nd army were currently inside the a hall that looked like a stadium, in the middle was a holographic battle of the north.
Here battle and wars are recorded for everyone to watch this was made because of an incident that happened hundreds of years ago. An entire army was annihilated during a covert mission and only the commanding officer and the his followers survived.
The people didn't suspect anything at first since they were badly injured when they got back. However those soldiers who were unfortunately pitted survived and they were able to record the whole thing that had happened.
The commanding officers and his followers were punished. The military had to undergo a reformation including the noble families. Those who were found out to be misusing there status were strip of their titles. Since then it has become a mandatory order to record every mission for everyone to see, even the common people. Covert mission would still be recorded but only the military can see it.
Everyone was amazed by Magus, he had truly surpass his father and was promoted even faster than Cross. Two of his abilities were already known to everyone and that was the rare lighting and a blue flame. As for his third people guess it would be more powerful than the two.
He maneuver his mecha and perform a somersault on air, the mech then pointed the particle gun towards the ground, lightning then shoot out, hitting the mother zerg precisely on the forehead.
This gun was made after Seven suggested of using the ability to fuel a machine, with this controlling the output would be easier and it would conserved more energy.
After the mother Zerg died it had become easier to kill the eggs and its guards. Everyone from the empire cheered, and the 1st army declared mission accomplished.
In the starnet everyone was clamoring about the Major Magus being promoted to two step ahead, by passing the lieutenant Colonel rank and reach Colonel at only 18 years old.
Seven tsk "I'll be even be younger than him when I reach that position... Hmmp" he whispered. Unbeknownst to him, this silent declaration had come true.