In the coffee shop, Warrant Officer Yu Lian and Yang Xiyi settled down. The former ordered a "Bing Qilin Coffee" with plenty of milk foam and a very sweet taste; the latter looked at him with disdain and ordered a cup of black tea, then, after a moment of hesitation, added a bit of brandy.

Neither of them had the habit of drinking afternoon tea in a coffee shop, but there was really nowhere else to go, so they came here to watch the excitement. Unfortunately, they were a step too late; with the chaotic entry of two headhunting companies, the soldiers completely lost the motivation to cause trouble and dispersed.

The military police had already arrived at the scene but didn't arrest anyone.

"They at least had some sense. If they had really dragged the delegation out for summary execution, Commander Paris, who might have only been demoted, could have ended up retiring in a very undignified manner. In that case, Mr. Qi's efforts would have been in vain," Yang Xiyi said.

Qi Bingwen, the Commonwealth's Ambassador to the Empire, a great literary figure with no power to truss a chicken, stood at the entrance of the Kaite Embassy for three days, cursing with a sword in hand. If an ordinary person did this, they would probably be considered an unreasonable madman, but if a great literary figure did it, people would wonder if there was some deeper meaning.

What kind of humiliation would make a literary figure with no power to truss a chicken prepare to spill his blood on the streets of the Imperial Capital? Such questions gradually became the mainstream of public opinion. Even many Imperial nobles and members of both houses felt that their side should have a more just resolution.

Mr. Qi had many book fans; it was said that even the Emperor liked his books.

All in all, public opinion was indeed leaning towards the Commonwealth's side. This meant that the Earth Government's handling of Commander Paris's independent action—ah, no, his "unreasonable use of active self-defense rights"—could be much more flexible.

"Is the Old General in good spirits right now?"

"He staked his life and fortune before the war even began! Now, the results are much better than expected, so of course, his spirits are high. Or rather, a bit too high; he's much more cheerful than before, and inexplicably a bit chatty. He even pulled me aside and talked a lot, and for a moment, I thought he was giving his last wishes. Hey, didn't he say he hated Moon People the most?"

He only hated literal elite bureaucrats. If you knew that in a future that would never happen, the Old General designated you to take command of the fleet before he fell into a coma from serious injuries, you wouldn't say that.

"So, Teacher Yang, are you formally staying on?"

"Yes! I originally thought that if Commander Paris had to leave, none of us instigators would escape, and I was prepared to lose my military position and find my own way. Heh, I was even having Jessica help me contact the middle school back home, preparing to be a history teacher. But I never expected to be promoted by half a rank instead."

Now, Colonel Yang Xiyi has become the Chief Operations Staff Officer of the Outer Rim Fleet, also serving as Deputy Chief of Staff, and he is expected to wear a general's star in some time.

"No matter what, you belong to the elite bureaucratic group, and to those on Earth, you are naturally one of their own. In this war, your talent has indeed been proven. I estimate that soon, important figures will come to you for a heart-to-heart talk about life."

Yang Xiyi showed a look of fear; just thinking about that scene made him restless.

"What about you?"

"I'm leaving tomorrow, on a direct passenger ship straight to Earth. The Command HQ's logistics department bought my ticket, and it's even a second-class ticket. Haha, my school would only reimburse me for third-class. I really should leave, or I'll Miss the end of January start of school."

"Student life is truly wonderful. Savor these last six months of youth!" Yang Xiyi laughed, "However, I was asking about your future plans."

Warrant Officer Yu Lian remained silent. He hadn't even thought it through himself, so how could he decide? Moreover, the things he wanted to do most right now were not things to be casually spoken of.

"Have you visited Chaimen?"

"Yes, I went yesterday and said goodbye. It wasn't a serious injury anyway, but he and Major Nani are both planning to delay their discharge until the day after tomorrow… Perhaps because they were taken down in one move, it hurt their pride?"

"Nonsense, they'd be hurt? They've just grown fond of our food! Our Outer Rim Military District General Hospital probably has the best food among all Commonwealth military hospitals; we can get fresh ingredients from various Andromeda Galaxy plantations nearby! And you can eat the Health Pot as much as you want!"

Warrant Officer Yu Lian, however, felt that the main reason was likely that Major Nani had taken a liking to that pretty orthopedic Miss doctor and was about to pursue her. And since Colonel Chaimen had nothing else to do anyway, he decided to stay and be a wingman for his friend and old partner.

Yes, there was indeed nothing. They did not belong to the Outer Rim Fleet but were directly under the Defense Committee's Internal Guard, and were also members of the spiritual energy user unit currently under trial, here to test the Emblem Machine for the Outer Rim Fleet.

The test results were naturally a cause for celebration! After all, this thing, in its first combat, accomplished the feat of capturing a Dreadnought's bridge and defeating a higher-ranked enemy.

Warrant Officer Yu Lian could imagine the cheers from the Earth Alchemy Laboratory. The fact that they could produce Emblem Machines of such performance on their first try, didn't it indicate that the Blue Star Commonwealth was also on the right path of technological powers, challenging the Alliance and the Empire?

"They must have invited you to stay, right?"

"Not only that, Colonel Chaimen has already sent a letter of recommendation to his direct superior." Warrant Officer Yu Lian was a bit helpless, but those two big brothers truly admired him. It was their good intention, so he couldn't really say anything.

"But you don't want to, do you?"

spiritual energy users and Emblem Machines might be necessary, but they are more like a symbol or totem, not the future! Dreadnoughts, more Dreadnoughts, super many Dreadnoughts, tens of millions of well-trained, brave, and fearless excellent soldiers who know what they are fighting for, and a great nation that can achieve all of the above, that is the future! Warrant Officer Yu Lian still firmly believed this point.

If there were Colossus, many, many Colossus, that would be even better! It's just that this thing hasn't come out yet.

"Teacher Yang, all six Dreadnoughts of the Outer Rim Fleet are old fellows that have been in service for almost half a century. Two are undergoing major repairs, three are in maintenance, and one is slowly making its way to repairs. We defeated the Kaite people, but that doesn't mean the Outer Rim Fleet isn't in its weakest state in history!"

"The Alliance is currently building eight of the latest Dreadnoughts for the Commonwealth, four of which can be completed and undergo sea trials next year, and all of them will be handed over to the Outer Rim Fleet then." Yang Xiyi paused, then added, "Also, I just received news that because of this incident, Nishita Chairman argued strongly in Congress and finally passed a shipbuilding plan for twenty battlecruisers and twelve Aircraft Carriers. By the year after next, depending on the situation, we might even place an additional order for four Dreadnoughts with the Alliance!"

Yes, this is certainly good news. But what's more interesting is that when the Commonwealth first became independent, it actually had the capability to build its own Dreadnoughts. Of course, it couldn't build Dreadnoughts like dumplings as the Alliance and Empire could, but it certainly had that capability.

"Warrant Officer Yu Lian, I've thought about it. You still shouldn't use this battle as the subject of your thesis."

Warrant Officer Yu Lian was slightly startled. Before he could speak, Yang Xiyi said again, "Also, the information you sent to the New Yumen Garrison and the New Lushun Defense Command was also received by us. Along with it came the Defense Command's assessment report…"

As always, the topic jumped so quickly it was hard to keep up.

"It's probably not good news, right?"

"Well, if you hadn't remembered to keep some video evidence, and had twenty or thirty witnesses, you might have been taken for a fool. However, they still tend to believe that the bio-weapons you spoke of are indigenous creatures yet undiscovered in New Yumen…"

Warrant Officer Yu Lian hadn't held out much hope to begin with, so he wasn't disappointed by this result.

"Elinore has been searching in New Yumen for several days and has found nothing." Yang Xiyi mused, "I believe you, so I have already entered this creature, designated as UC829, into the database and sent it to Country Statistics and the National Unification Committee. Additionally, within my authority, I will allocate two more large planetary exploration vessels to New Yumen."

Warrant Officer Yu Lian nodded gratefully; Teacher Yang had indeed done everything he could. However, he still didn't think anyone would find any clues.

…How about a different approach? Ask that particularly reliable black market intelligence dealer to find her whereabouts? According to later history, she should be hiding everywhere at this time.

The more Warrant Officer Yu Lian thought about it, the more he felt it was a feasible plan. At least it was much more reliable than the indifferent national intelligence agencies.

Seeing that it was almost time, the two stood up to leave, their destination naturally being the Outer Rim Fleet's special Health Pot. Since Yang Xiyi couldn't see Warrant Officer Yu Lian off tomorrow, tonight was of course the farewell dinner.

As the two arrived at the coffee shop entrance, they happened to encounter a graceful and charming noblewoman, just about to enter.

Both parties politely nodded in greeting. Warrant Officer Yu Lian and Yang Xiyi, with great courtesy, made way, indicating that the lady should go first.

Just as they were about to pass each other, the lady carefully scrutinized Warrant Officer Yu Lian's face, then revealed a friendly, even somewhat benevolent smile: "You must be Warrant Officer Yu Lian, aren't you? I never expected to meet you here."

"This, you are…"

"My name is Lina Weilbate. Uh, if I say Fulei's mother, you probably remember, right?"

Warrant Officer Yu Lian quickly recalled that wealthy Miss from the Zixin Hui Group, the major patron who provided the largest income to his newly reborn self. He immediately showed a flawless (business) smile, saluted and shook hands with her.

"So, this is…" Ms. Weilbate then looked at Yang, her gaze quickly scanning the colonel's rank insignia on his collar.

"This is Colonel Yang Xiyi, Chief Intelligence Staff Officer of the Outer Rim Fleet."

"Oh, your name, I often hear it even on Earth. I'm truly sorry; you led the soldiers in brave combat, yet we failed to live up to your sacrifice! Heh, that's the prevailing atmosphere on Earth now! But anyway, I'm somewhat relieved; after this matter, I'll be taking up a post in the Alliance, and my whole family can be reunited."

She was complaining rather than apologizing. Fortunately, though a bit older, she was still a senior beauty with excellent looks, demeanor, and temperament, and a strong presence like an important figure. Her complaints sounded more like an indictment of evil and were not annoying.

"I should have properly hosted you to express a mother's gratitude. However, due to busy affairs, it will have to wait for another day. So, please excuse me…" The lady left another kind smile for the two of them and walked gracefully into the main hall.

A group of well-dressed people came to greet her. After a brief exchange of pleasantries, they left, escorting her like a queen.

Yang Xiyi suddenly remembered something and said, "Oh, I recall now. This Ms. Lina Weilbate seems to be quite an influential senator. She's said to be an upright and compassionate person, with a very good reputation. Her current term as a senator is ending, but she's about to become an Ambassador to the Alliance. Hehe~~~ She's even Jessica's idol. She certainly seems like a very capable lady."

Your "hehe" and "seems like" were used quite subtly, Warrant Officer Yu Lian couldn't help but glance sideways at him.

"So, will Jessica be sad when she finds out?"

"She might even be ecstatic."

Today's second update, as I said before, three updates every day for the first week.

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