Shi Lang and the lot came back to The Federation in a hush and they all quickly departed to meet their parents. Amelia contacted her mother, who happened to be at the front and was unable to meet her so she tagged along with Shi Lang.
They will greet his family first and then buy the stuff they need and leave after the news was disclosed to the world. The two of them knew how crucial this whole thing was and what sort of effect it could have, so they were nervous about public opinion. After all, if the dark elements used this event to rally the masses, it could implicate their family and friends.
The president has not only decided to tell the world about the Neomons but also about the exchange group that was been sent over to read and learn. This disclosure would mean, providing the basic details of the team to the world.
The spaceship landed in the spaceport for the secret divisions and Shi Lang contacted Archie Arkham. He needed to ask her if he could have some vehicles from the division be used by his team. Quinn already had a convoy of presidential guards waiting for her, but the rest did not. Archi Arkham allocated a wrangler to him.
This vehicle was an off-road style maglev car, capable of conversion, from maglev to a traditional vehicle. The team boarded the vehicle and they moved to the nearest public transit station. Jenkins, Rosa, and Darcx were to get off there, and the couple will go back home.
The speed was fast and the two quickly arrived in front of Shi Lang’s apartment. Amelia took the lead to hold Shi Lang’s hand and the two climbed the stairs. The young man was about to knock on the door when the door was pushed open from the inside.
Shi John stood frozen in his place for a second. Unable to react when he saw his son and daughter-in-law, okay quasi daughter-in-law standing in front of him. Shi Lang hugged him and said, ‘I came home.”
The man woke up and hugged his son back and said, “Welcome back. How are you? You did not contact us for a week, and we were slightly worried.”
From the inside of the house, a voice sounded, “Yes, slightly worried so you used a whole box of tissue paper.”
Shi Lang chuckled while his father sniffed and said, “She is exaggerating.”
Amelia did not say anything and just smiled from the side. Shi John pulled the people in and they began to talk.
…
Time passed quickly and Amelia and Shi Lang decided to stay home and order thei clothes and supplies online. Shi Lang also placed an order for a lot of nano-bots. However, it will be only handed to him when they were on board the military vessel.
The two had already told the elders about their departure, though they did not divulge the details of the planet they were going to so the two elders had no idea if they will stay inside The Federation borders or not.
The family was sitting in the living room, with Luna leaning against Shi John and Amelia leaning against Shi Lang. The scene was harmonious as they were watching some comedy-drama on the holoTV.
Suddenly, the video was cut off, and Federal Military music began to play. Shi John raised his hand and was about to use a gesture to change the channel when he heard, “Dad, it is of no use.”
He and Luna turned to look at the youngsters curiously when they heard a voice from the TV, “Citizen of The Federation, this is your president. Today, I come here in front of you all to share the news that will have a significant effect on our lives.”
The man on the screen paused and took a deep breath before continuing, “When our ancestors set out to explore the celestial, we all hoped to find a planet like ours, to host lives. When they could not find such planets, they decided to change the landscape and provide homes for the growing population.
A couple of centuries later, they found planets with lives of their own. The federation military grew leaps and bounds, but recently, the expansion stopped. Some groups stood up against the government sending our children to explore the uncharted. The reason The Federation wanted to explore the uncharted was to determine if out there in the stars lived a species as powerful as us.
The scenarios of finding such a species could be both positive and negative. The weak always get oppressed by the strong. A few decades away we found a race that was as powerful as we are. The extent of their strength is still not known to us. There is no subtle way to put this, but yes, The Federation is not the only power in the stars.”
The man paused and the people were sent into an uproar. They never imagined that on a rest day such a wave will shock them. The words of the president were indicating that the Terrans were not the supreme anymore.
Shi Lang looked at the side to see how his parents were going to react and only found them to be frozen. He nudged Amelia slightly and asked her to check. Amelia asked in a low voice, “Mom, Dad, are you okay?”
Shi John turned his head to look at the two of them stiffly and asked, “Did you guys know about this?”
The two nodded and before they could ask anything more, The President said, “Be as shocking as it may, The Federation has decided to send a team of young geniuses. These geniuses are recently graduated, students. Selected for their achievements.
The team sent out is supervised by a veteran colonel, who managed to survive and rescue three hundred soldiers during the Athena Massacre, Colonel Rosa Blues.
The team is led by a young major, who had completed the highest grade mission and also earned his promotion through the ranks within a year of graduation from the military academy, Major Shi Lang.
The other members of the team are, Major Hailey Dupont, who graduated from the military academy two years ago, and has earned a lot of merits. Followed by Captain Jenkins Edwards, who also happens to be the son of the First General and is in active service on the front lines.
Captain Amelia Knight, and Captain Darek Christopher. The team is going to leave tomorrow from the Metropia Spaceport. I hope that the relatives of the youth team support them to go on this voyage, for the sake of our civilization. Godspeed.”
The broadcast was cut off and the people were left stunned. Luna asked, “Did he announce your names just now?”
Shi Lang and Amelia nodded, and the lady burst up like a grenade, “HOW DARE YOU TWO AGREE FOR THIS ASSIGNMENT? HAVE YOU LOST YOUR MIND?”
Shi Lang hurriedly said, “Mom, it was not a thing to choose.”
Luna raised her eyebrow and stood up with her hands on her hips, she said, “You mean to say that this heartless guy enrolled the two of you without your consent? How dare he, how can he understand the pain of sending a child away on such a dangerous expedition?” her husband kept nodding at the side.
Shi Lang sighed and Amelia said, “That Major Hailey Dupont, is his biological daughter.”
Her words shocked the two elders completely, they had no idea that the president would even send his own daughter off. While the elders were shocked, the communication devices of the people went on a crazy ring and connection requests.
Shi Lang and Amelia used this as an excuse and moved to the young man’s bedroom. They glanced at each and gave a bitter smile. Then they began to deal with loads of inquiries sent over by their old classmates.
Shi Lang was requested by Jane, Lucas, and Tim to come out for a farewell party and so was Amelia, the two people discussed and it was decided that they will organize a party for both the groups in Mila’s cafe tonight, those who were available was invited to join them.
They had no idea what might happen out there in the Neomon territory, thus the value of this gathering was even more. After an hour when the two changed into a more presentable attire, they came out to find the two elders sitting on the couch dealing with the calls, and the two snuck out under their glaring gazes.
…
The party venue was not reserved for free but paid for by the classmates. Mila was not in the mood to quibble with them and just hugged Shi Lang for fifteen minutes and bawled her heart in his embrace, and then the same was done with Amelia. The two people could not help but console her, followed by a round of gentle beating Shi Lang received from his friends for not telling them about his promotion and this expedition.
The farewell was completed, now they needed to go home, pick up their stuff and leave. The broadcast has not set only the Federation home planet on fire, but the whole territory was in similar situation.