The next day, according to the original plan, was to inspect the militia's armaments and training status.
The militia were not full-time professional soldiers, but rather more akin to local civilian groups, and their salaries all came from local finances; theoretically, they had not received a single cent from Earth.
Therefore, the Military Headquarters only had supervisory and guidance rights over them, but no command or personnel authority.
For Yu Lian, the special envoy, today's plan was naturally just a formality.
What surprised him slightly was that the New Seville militia's quality was actually quite good.
Although their discipline was mediocre, their equipment was decent, and it was clear that many of them had truly seen blood.
"This is just what they call a 'tough local populace.' To put it bluntly, in remote star regions, which planet isn't like this? Daina's home is even more exaggerated than mine.
Cowboys there even have mobile fortresses and armored airships!" Miss Lilia Alfonso, the Militia Commander from Deepwater City and local security chief, said with a cold laugh.
"These guys are still far from being a real army!"
Yes, if he hadn't discovered that Lilia was in charge of coordinating this event, Yu Lian wouldn't even have bothered to attend.
The Blue Star Commonwealth's so-called militia system is generally implemented in some remote star regions.
In these remote star systems, which are not major transportation routes, public order is always unsatisfactory, and there are always some inter-stellar criminals circulating there.
Due to considerations of cost and administrative power, the Commonwealth Government does not have sufficient forces to maintain public order in these places, so it can only grant authority, directly decentralizing local law enforcement power.
Of course, this is also a respect for the rights and interests of local citizens! There is absolutely no political maneuvering between local governments and Earth, as claimed by those sensational conspiracy theories—absolutely not!
Take New Seville, for example.
This planet, inhabited by over 20 million Earth people, is theoretically within the administrative region of the Far Shore Star Region.
However, in reality, the command of its militia, totaling 100,000 people, belongs to the more than ten large and small city governments on the planet.
The Commonwealth Navy's Ninth Fleet, also known as the "Distant Shore Defense Fleet," also includes it within its defense zone.
However, while the Luna Star System's space belongs to the Far Shore Fleet, the law enforcement power on the planet belongs to the Security Force and the militia.
Well... the Security Force and the main Marine Corps stationed here are mostly on the adjacent Lumina Star, so New Seville's land and sea belong to the civilian groups.
"But precisely because of this, cities occasionally get into brawls over one or two enormous Emperor Blade Fish."
After all, it's the space age; people wouldn't go to war just to compete for fishing grounds.
However, encountering an Emperor Blade Fish is another matter.
These overlords living in New Seville's oceans average over a hundred meters long and more than five hundred tons.
Whether it's their bones, meat, oil, or even their internal organs and digestive secretions, everything is of great use, truly a treasure from head to tail.
If it's an ancient individual over two hundred meters, it has even reached the level of a Phantom Beast, and Zero Element crystals can even be extracted from its body.
It's easy to understand, right?
In the era of Earth, there were even brawls involving tens of thousands of people just to compete for water sources, let alone a giant fish that could sell for at least nine figures?
"Yes! That's why I say that many local magnates in the Commonwealth's remote star regions are barely distinguishable from warlords."
Lilia rolled her eyes at Yu Lian: "Yes, you can call me Your Highness now.
How about it? No regrets?"
Yu Lian sighed, revealing an expression of deep distress: "Lilia Alfonso, you can't get lost in low-level pleasures so quickly after returning to the comfort zone of your hometown.
Have you forgotten your ideals so easily?
This planet is so 'involutionary' even in its small whaling industry; don't you want to see some positive changes?"
"Alright, alright, I know Captain You have the world in your heart; how dare a country bumpkin like me compare to Fina and the others, I just lack awareness!" Lilia said indignantly.
"Anyway, Yu Lian, do you need troops now? I can arrange a thousand people for you."
"I thought your warlordization problem was already very serious.
Do the militias of other cities listen to you?"
"The last brawl was already several years ago.
The main adversaries in recent years have been poachers, stowaways, and fugitives who came over after the Far Shore Nebula incident.
They've been increasing lately.
And those massive schools of Bloodfin Fish Monsters; these monsters have also become increasingly agitated recently.
Dad and the other mayors also know that continuing to fight like this won't lead to any good results, so we've long established a Public Order Coordination Committee.
Every six months, the militias from various cities gather for a month-long training session.
I'm the only Moon People on this planet, and I grew up here; I also participated in several militia camp trainings before going to university... I still have some prestige here."
Lilia showed a sweet smile.
It feels like the warlordization problem will become even more severe!
Yu Lian looked at this girl, who always seemed to be the most "innocent and sweet" in the student council, and suddenly felt that the ocean here was indeed more suitable for her.
Lilia continued: "I did ask Dad about it at the last Mayor's Conference.
Old Mayor Charlie of Red Reef Archipelago indeed proposed building a sea-surface optical rail from Jade Port, the largest in the Southern Hemisphere, to Deepwater City, the largest city in the Northern Hemisphere.
Once completed, over seventy percent of New Seville's islands could be directly connected by orbital train."
New Seville's economy is indeed supported by tourism and fishing.
Fortunately, not every local strongman is so short-sighted.
Once this transportation artery, which can be called the planet's main artery, is completed, the isolation and barriers between these sea cities will completely become history.
At least within this ocean planet, a stronger circulation will also be formed.
From this perspective, the local gentry on this planet are not particularly beyond redemption.
"However, we haven't fully decided yet whether the optical rail route will adopt the Alliance's plan or the Minlan Republic's design.
The Alliance's side is indeed more expensive, but it has more comprehensive technical support.
Minlan's conditions are very generous, but their optical rails have had several problems."
"It's best to adopt Minlan's side.
However, we must tell those unscrupulous merchants that we will be responsible for the main materials ourselves, and tell them not to recommend any shady middlemen.
Additionally, let's stick to our previously discussed original plan... and add one more condition: have them take the lead in introducing Coromi's foreign trade officials to introduce the cultivation and processing technology of Luo Algae."
Lilia nodded: "I've already spoken to Dad, and he said he's seriously considering it and has asked scientific consultants to start researching it.
It's just, Yu Lian, are you sure that Luo Algae, this highly nutritious alien algae, is suitable for growing in the Red Reef Archipelago?"
"We always have to try first!
As long as all operations are compliant, it won't cause species invasion.
Once Luo Algae is cultivated, it can be used as a basis to cultivate higher-quality rare seafood, and at the same time, build large-scale nutrient-rich feed.
Thus, the nutrient-rich finished feed can be imported into the New Tennessee star system, not far from here, which is Miss Daina Jefferson's hometown, greatly increasing agricultural output there.
Then, the New Divine Province, which is currently undergoing vigorous development, will be able to obtain a stable, more convenient, and naturally cheaper channel for food imports.
The progress of development there will naturally take a significant step forward.
This was Yu Lian's layout for this entire industrial chain.
He didn't know if this was wishful thinking, but at least the girls thought there was a high possibility of success.
"But first, there's the construction of this sea-surface optical rail.
Yu Lian, our time is limited.
If we can't see results, even with Dad, I won't have much to say."
Lilia bit her lip, showing a worried expression.
"Don't worry, since I've decided to do it, I definitely have a plan.
When have you ever seen me without a plan?"
Lilia glanced at him and said helplessly, "Yes, yes, Lord Yu Lian is full of brilliant strategies and plans everything perfectly.
I'll believe you as long as you don't always rush to the front and make me worry!"
"Ah ha ha ha ha... That's a man's romance.
Good girl, you have to respect such romance!" Yu Lian chuckled dryly twice.
Lilia scoffed, her eyes suddenly softening, with a hint of an indescribable emotion.
"Where's Fina?"
"I just spoke with her; she said she's already left Jade Port and gone to Riga D Starport above to do an interview."
The Luna Star System has a large military Starport, under the jurisdiction of the Distant Shore Defense Fleet.
It is mainly responsible for material and logistical transfers for the fleet, as well as ship repairs.
Of course,
Lilia's eyes lit up, and just as she was about to say something, Yu Lian had already stood up: "Then I'm off!
Oh, Lilia, didn't you say you could mobilize 1,000 militia?
Then let them stay in their current state.
Waiting to do something big.
Wait for my good news!
Yes, good news in every sense of the word!"
He just left like that?
We just sat down and had lunch!
Lilia bit her lower lip, watching Yu Lian's departing back with longing, and sighed sadly.
I must owe you from a Past life!
Shaking her head, she opened her terminal and started making a call: "It's me!
I've been thinking, how about each city contributes some elite personnel to form a thousand-person rapid response force?
Yes, that's what I'm thinking; if the optical rail is built in the future, we'll need an even more mobile force responsible for security around the tracks!"
Almost at the same moment, more than two billion kilometers away from New Seville, behind a gas giant called "Luna C," a medium-sized armed freighter, looking very much like it was pieced together, slowly glided along its orbit, gradually heading towards the magnificent, colorful nebula.
Its hull was entirely black, almost invisible as it moved through the light and shadow of the Universe.
This armed merchant ship, named “Millennium Falcon,” was quite a famous smuggling vessel in the underworld. Its captain, “Black Hawk” Hanford, was also a top smuggler who had been active in the All-Galaxy for nearly fifty years, carrying bounties worth tens of millions within the Empire's sphere of influence. He was considered one of the most formidable big shots in the underworld.
He was a Wookiee, with long, thick limbs and an equally thick torso, looking at first glance like an enhanced gorilla. He indeed possessed the wrist strength to snap steel bars, but he was also an experienced old captain.
At the Present, this big shot was having lunch with a newly boarded guest in the ship's mess hall. He was extremely polite towards this new passenger.
“Black Moon, we’ve cooperated many times, but this is the first time I’ve seen you personally come to the transaction site,” the captain said.
“This time is a bit special,” the other party replied with a smile.
The one called “Black Moon” was a “man” from Earth of average height, average build, average appearance, and very average presence, dressed in a form-fitting power soft armor. Although he was dressed like a third-rate extra, and would certainly be lost in a crowd, he was a chivalrous thief even more famous than Captain Hanford in the underworld—the “Count Black Moon.”
The Count Black Moon, a chivalrous thief who defied kings and nobles, killed in ten paces, and robbed the rich to help the poor, primarily operated within the Commonwealth, but his reputation had already spread throughout the entire All-Galaxy underworld.
Even in the underground taverns of the most remote desolate star regions, people happily discussed stories of this chivalrous thief who had even made emperors return in defeat.
Captain Hanford also knew that although the other party's current unremarkable appearance was flawless and showed no trace of disguise, it was not his true face.
He had seen the other party several times, and each time his appearance was different.
“Special?” The captain was puzzled. He didn't think a pile of fake medicine—no, Generic Drugs—was anything special. He had dealt in firearms, narcotics, and even Zero Element and the Legacy of Dawn.
“Yes, the cargo is special, the timing is special, and the transactor is also special. It just so happens that I’ve been on Earth for too long, and I wanted to come out and see an old friend.” Count Black Moon smiled at Hanford: “How have you been recently? Your grandson is going to college, right?”
This big shot of the smuggling world, who held considerable prestige in the All-Galaxy underworld, nodded: “Yes! He actually got into Alliance Ocean University! Haha, even though he might not know he has a grandfather like me, I still have to prepare the tuition. This kid is different from me; he can live a different life.”
“Then you’d better launder that tuition money. The most formidable in the Alliance isn’t the Extraordinary Administration Bureau or the Guerrilla Association, but the Internal Revenue Service!”
The captain’s face, covered in fur and rugged muscles, twitched, showing a troubled expression.
“You’re wrong about that! The Extraordinary Administration Bureau and the Internal Revenue Service are fundamentally one and the same, and it’s not uncommon to see Guerrillas catching tax evaders,” he said.
The old captain was about to complain a few more sentences about the wicked, money-grubbing capitalists of the Alliance when he received a message from the first mate on the bridge.
“Two assault ships are paralleling our vessel at 2 astronomical units away… Confirmed to be a patrol fleet from the Distant Shore Defense Fleet!” the first mate’s voice said.
“Maintain surveillance! Keep the second engine preheated and activate the Mirage system!” the captain ordered.
The first mate acknowledged, and then heard him say again, “And then, you and the passengers can start eating in shifts.”
Captain Hanford issued the orders methodically, but without any tension. In the eyes of this free man who roamed the stars, the surveillance set up by the Distant Shore Defense Fleet was no different from a sieve. Or rather, all border surveillance networks of all nations in the All-Galaxy were sieves.
Seeing Count Black Moon looking at him with a half-smile, he explained with a laugh: “I often run this route! Although the Far Shore Nebula is very dangerous, it actually has a certain pattern! Tomorrow, a jump gate will open. These are secrets only old scoundrels like us know; the Commonwealth Navy doesn't. Even if they discover us, they’ll at most give a symbolic chase and then give up.”
“I understand. Besides, with the performance of your ship and the capabilities of your crew, two assault ships are no match.”
“Don’t say such terrifying things! I’m just a businessman; I wouldn’t dare to cause trouble with the authorities.” Captain Hanford quickly shook his head.
Just as the captain had said, the two Commonwealth patrol ships, perhaps not having discovered them at all, turned away directly after paralleling for a few minutes at 2 astronomical units. The two sides moved further and further apart, quickly leaving the radar's detection range.
At this point, the crew members also began to take turns coming to the mess hall for lunch. Besides the crew members of the “Millennium Falcon” who clearly exuded the aura of outlaws, there was also a considerable number of ordinary passengers dressed simply and looking travel-worn.
“No slave trade! I wouldn’t do something so despicable that my son wouldn’t grow hair! They’re just refugees and stowaways,” the captain explained to the Count.
Count Black Moon stated that he hadn’t suspected it, and if they were indeed slaves, they would certainly be wearing restraint devices, but he still asked curiously, “Beyond the Far Shore Nebula is the Empire’s sphere of influence!”
“Heh, it’s all for a living. There’s nothing bad about being a subject under an Imperial lord! If that lord has a bit of conscience, a lifetime of hard work might even earn them some property, which can be considered a blessing bestowed by the universe spirit.”
Count Black Moon nodded noncommittally, his gaze sweeping over the passengers who were about to eat.
Although Captain Hanford was a big smuggler, overall, his table manners were decent. The meals provided to these refugee stowaways were quite good; although mostly canned food high in salt and preservatives, at least the portions were sufficient.
Count Black Moon had originally only intended to glance casually, but as “his” gaze swept over the crowd, his eyes fixed, and a playful smile gradually appeared on his unremarkable face.
“Captain Hanford, where are these stowaways from?”
“It’s just those usual places. The Alliance, Rall, Vero, oh, and of course the New World. This is already a bus route that spans the entire Universe!” The captain had just smiled when he quickly realized something, and his expression darkened.
“You’d better be prepared to clean up the mess.”
Leaving that remark, Count Black Moon stood up and walked directly towards the dining crowd.
He ignored the gazes directed at him and walked straight to the furthest corner, standing in front of someone huddled with their legs drawn up, sitting by the wall.
This should have been a human, wrapped in a drab gray robe, making it impossible to discern gender or age, but it was clear they were small. He, or she, carefully held a food tray with canned meat and flatbread, eating in small bites.
The other party seemed to have sensed someone approaching, tightened their robe, tried to huddle as close to the wall as possible, and tried to make themselves invisible. Pitiful, innocent, and helpless.
“I also enjoy changing my identity and perspective to see the world. This doesn’t make me complacent or forget that I am human. So, I understand your enjoyment,” the Count said.
The figure huddled beneath the robe seemed even more frightened, trembling, their thin arms extended from beneath the robe almost unable to hold the food tray.
No matter how one looked at it, this scene was of a bully tormenting a lonely stowaway. After a brief stunned, the passengers Present were somewhat indignant. They were all refugees, so naturally, they dared not react violently, and could only express their support with their eyes.
Count Black Moon, however, seemed oblivious and continued, “However, the subsequent work is very important to me, and I cannot overlook any hidden dangers.”
The gray cloak lowered the food tray and put both hands under the cloak.
“You are a spiritual energy user, aren’t you?” Count Black Moon said.
The other party remained silent.
“…We are the same star chart, so I can sense your aura, your spiritual energy fluctuations, your current ring count, and even the ability you are currently using.” Count Black Moon’s smile faded, and his voice suddenly took on a hint of grimness: “But beyond that, I can sense even more! Tell me, why would an individual… have such a strong smell of blood? Why would an individual be able to sense such dense life fluctuations?”
“Clang!” A deafening impact sound suddenly echoed in the air.
Unbeknownst to when, a tentacle resembling a giant scorpion’s tail extended from the shadow covered by the gray robe, wrapped around Count Black Moon’s back, and immediately launched an attack.
However, the Count didn’t even turn her head; she simply raised her left hand. Unbeknownst to when, all her finger gaps were holding sharp butterfly darts, fanned out like a fan, entangling the scorpion tail’s hook-claw tentacle. Instantly, the latter was like being twisted by four or five steel cables simultaneously, completely unable to move.
The person finally raised their head. Beneath the stained gray cloak was the delicate and beautiful face of a young girl, looking pitiful and charming. If not for her eyes having developed reddish-brown and black double pupils, anyone would think she was just an ordinary high school girl.
“You shouldn’t have seen through me!” she shrieked, her voice hoarse and low, like a lone wolf driven into a corner.
