The chaotic situation at Gibraltar β Starport was finally resolved properly.
Two hours later, Yu Lian and Yang Xiyi arrived at the Hyperion, the flagship of the Outer Rim Fleet, to report to General Paris.
The reason it went so smoothly was naturally because Major Horn was very cooperative, as if he had made up his mind to turn over a new leaf and become a good person.
Logically speaking, espionage is a serious crime everywhere, and according to Commonwealth law, captured spies are basically on a death row.
But the premise is that Major Horn is an ordinary person.
"He is a spiritual energy user after all.
You know, according to the 'Awakened Protection Act', as long as he doesn't die on the spot or commit an anti-civilization crime stipulated by the Milky Way Civilization Conference, he won't be sentenced to death.
He can even contribute with his extraordinary powers and apply for a reduced sentence, and he can be released from prison in a few years.
Then he can find a job at a private company, and he might even earn more than you and me.
Heh, there's nothing we can do; the Empire has the Heraldry Institute and the Star Realm Knight Order, and the Alliance has the Extraordinary Administration Bureau and the Guerrilla General Association, so there are always powerful agencies that can adjudicate extraordinary crimes.
But we don't have them, so we can only abide by international conventions."
"But, also according to international conventions, if he doesn't surrender, I can initiate an honorable duel against him, and even if I kill him on the spot, it would still be legal.
After all, he made the first move, right?" Yu Lian asked.
"That's the reason." Yang Xiyi said with admiration, "...spiritual energy users are truly the darlings of the universe spirit!"
"...Although I feel you're mocking me, I have no evidence!" Yu Lian shrugged.
"According to his confession, he was a sensitive person a long time ago, but he was never able to confirm it himself, and there was no way for him to awaken.
It wasn't until he was on a public-funded trip to Paradise City..."
"Wait, why would military personnel go on a group tour to Paradise City? Isn't that place full of casinos and brothels?"
"How would I know about the local army's affairs?" Yang Xiyi said righteously, "In short, that guy met an envoy from the Kaitai people and, according to him, a representative of a certain great noble from the Empire, while on a public-funded trip to Paradise City.
They helped Major Horn awaken his spiritual energy and activate the 'Spirit Possession' astrolabe."
"Spirit Possession" and "Pure" are two opposing sides, with the first ring for both being "Believer."
The latter focuses on healing and purification, while "Spirit Possession," which Major Horn specialized in, emphasizes mental focus, perception, and enhancement, with the potential to develop into powerful wish-granters and divine summoners in the later stages.
Illusion was not his strongest area.
But even if he wasn't specialized, it was the difference between 100 points and 80 points, at least much better than Yu Lian's all-rounder abilities.
Even if Horn was only a first-ring spiritual energy user and didn't put much effort into his spiritual energy cultivation, he could still pull Yu Lian, a spiritual energy user of the same level, into an illusion.
If Yu Lian hadn't already experienced too many more exaggerated scenes and conquered soul realms fraught with danger and disaster, his mind would probably have been shattered and he would have become a vegetable.
"He's still saying that his illusion maze was trained by that expert from the Empire, and that four or five first-ring spiritual energy users could be silently killed by him, and he also said that you must be a spiritual energy agent cultivated by our country, otherwise it would be impossible for you to escape his illusion curse.
So, Yu Lian, are you?"
"Does the Commonwealth have a spiritual energy agent establishment?"
"As far as I know, not yet..." Yang Xiyi sighed, then suddenly stopped, "Also, I'm sorry, Yu Lian."
"For what?"
"My arrangement just now was to use you as bait.
Of course, if you were truly in danger, I would have acted earlier.
But for you spiritual energy users, if you suffer a mental blow, the trauma will accompany you for life, right?"
Not necessarily; finding a great doctor would suffice.
However, for most "ordinary" spiritual energy users without connections, it is indeed a lifelong injury.
"However, even so, I will not abandon this plan.
Laugh at me if you want, Yu Lian, just as you said, I'm already a realistic, incompetent, greasy old man!"
Yu Lian looked at the frank man and said, "If I weren't in the know, then I would indeed have the right to punch you in the nose right now.
But didn't you inform me?"
"..."
"You were spinning your wine glass like a top; how dull would I have to be not to understand?
Then, after I refilled your glass, you spun it 360 degrees again, which was your way of telling me to stay alert.
Heh, wasn't that the secret code we set years ago?"
Yang Xiyi was stunned for a moment, then showed a relieved smile: "You've grown up so fast, kid..."
"But what if Major Horn hadn't made a move?"
"Then we would continue to monitor him; he would eventually reveal himself.
As for the Commander, I naturally had another set of excuses prepared to convince him.
Having Major Horn as evidence is just icing on the cake; without him, I also had other evidence ready."
"You... are truly cunning, Old General!"
"A good Chief of Staff must prepare several plans.
However, it's not easy to get a compliment from you."
"But I'll still tell Xiao Xuan, Xiao Yong, and Xiao Mi that their dad has become this kind of adult!"
"So, I thought this scene was already over today!"
"Yes, so this is for revenge for the 20 yuan you won from me last time."
"That was a fair and square showdown with Star Cards!
With the cards in hand, fate is in the heavens; winning and losing, life and death, are all up to fate!
It was agreed that there would be no retaliation afterward!"
"But that doesn't change the fact that you bribed my opponent to cheat!
It was like I was playing three against one, and one of them was disguised as my own person!"
"Who told you to play cards with three men?
If it were a little girl from the academy, this wouldn't have happened.
You don't even know how popular you are; are you blaming me now?
How can this be called cheating? It's a righteous case of 'the righteous gain more help, the unrighteous gain less help'!"
They exchanged such meaningless banter as they arrived at the main entrance of the bridge.
Yang Xiyi said, "As you've seen, the Commander, a veteran, doesn't like elite bureaucrats, and even less so Moon People.
So, in a moment, if the Commander doesn't ask you, don't say a word."
Aren't you also an elite bureaucrat and a Moon Person?
"I'm different; after all, I've worked with him for a while, and I'm mild-mannered and harmless."
Yes, at least that's this guy's persona at Command HQ.
After the routine questioning, the two were led by the adjutant, who introduced himself as Captain Green, into the Hyperion's bridge.
The bridge of this heroic ship, which had achieved great victories in the Past and would in the future, was actually very simple and unadorned, with a tough and resolute atmosphere that made one think of a heavy machinery factory, but there was no sacred or solemn sense of ritual whatsoever.
Furthermore, Yu Lian really had no mind to examine the decorations here; as soon as they entered the command hall, General Paris's stern gaze swept over them.
Yu Lian felt that at this moment, even if he saluted half a beat late, had a wrinkle on his collar, or his military cap was tilted half a centimeter, this irritable Old General would scold him so much that he wouldn't be able to lift his head, so how could he dare to look around?
Fortunately, his military bearing, posture, and salute were flawless this time, and the Old General should not be able to find any fault.
Indeed, the Old General glanced at Yu Lian, and seeing no flaws, he snorted coldly and turned his gaze away.
But on the other side, a middle-aged South Asian man with the rank of Lieutenant General directly barked at Yang Xiyi: "Colonel Yang, what on earth are you doing?
I told you to go inspect our newly purchased 40,000 tons of high-explosive dust, not to mess around in the Starport!
Car chase?
Explosion?
Gunfight?
Do you think you're filming a movie?
Don't you know how many people pass through Gibraltar β every day?
I've been having enough headaches lately!
Do you think I sleep on the ship every day because it's comfortable here?
Don't I want to go back and sleep in my two-meter bed with a Nord velvet mattress?
It's just because reporters are surrounding me every day!
Now look!
I can imagine how many people are squatting outside my doghouse!
What do you want?
Do you want me to commit suicide by gun to be satisfied?"
Yu Lian guessed that this dark-skinned, talkative Indian Lieutenant General was probably Lieutenant General Shah Rukh Rapash, the Fleet Chief of Staff.
"Um, actually, we did cordon off the area." Yang Xiyi said with a forced smile.
"Cordoned off my ass!" The Lieutenant General roared, then waved his hand, throwing a "light screen" that appeared out of thin air in front of the two.
The light screen showed four images, clearly news footage, all from the previous car chase.
Yu Lian recognized that all four were quite influential media outlets, one of them even from the Alliance.
"Under the protection of the nation's most powerful Outer Rim Fleet, such a heinous incident has occurred at the entrance of this Star Gate, this Starport transit hub that concerns the interests of the All-Galaxy.
We have reason to ask this question: if the Outer Rim Fleet is not yet capable of protecting the legitimate etiquette of its citizens, does it still have the right to continue wasting taxpayers' valuable money?"
The speaker was a male reporter with a "GNN" logo.
He had a proper appearance, a sanctimonious demeanor, and a glib tongue, but it had to be admitted that he was also a graceful and very charismatic speaker.
"The Alliance's is one thing, but even GNN people found out!
Don't you know these guys are like sticky candy?"
Yang Xiyi nodded and stood at attention again, saluting: "Yes, it was all this subordinate's mistake!"
He adopted a submissive attitude, which only made the Lieutenant General even more furious: "Good, good, good, I hope you can give me a reasonable explanation!
Otherwise, I will tie you to the tail end of a proton torpedo, add a ton of high-explosive dust, and launch you both into a black hole!"
"Major Horn is a Kaitai spy."
"Actually, he's an Empire spy..." Yu Lian wanted to add, but thought better of it.
"Ridiculous.
Major Horn has always been diligent, dedicated, steady, and reliable.
Colonel Yang, if you want to accuse him, you need evidence!" The Lieutenant General sneered.
"...He has already confessed.
Soon, Colonel Chaimen will send his confession!"
"Hmm, I always thought that fat guy seemed kind-hearted but was a bit crooked.
Now it's finally exposed!" Lieutenant General Rapash said righteously, "So, does he have some terrible grand conspiracy?"
"Chief of Staff, your insight is truly profound!" Yang Xiyi naturally flattered him and continued, "He just informed us that the Kaitai Kingdom's fleet gathering is not just an exercise.
Their First and Third Fleets plan to use the exercise to lull us into a false sense of security, then launch a surprise attack when the Royal Fleet arrives, to repel us and then capture Gibraltar Starport in one fell swoop!
At that time, Major Horn, as the logistics director, would find a way to disable the Starport's fortress defense system at the appropriate moment, welcoming the Kaitai ground forces into the port!"
General Paris, who had been silent until now, finally showed a change in expression.
The second update for today, a magnificent two-chapter beast.
Also, on the character sheet, who uploaded a bunch of girl pictures for Yu Lian's column?
And who liked them?
Yu Lian is not a cross-dresser! This novel is not about cross-dressing either!