FT DR Chapter 144: The Eccentric Yellow Cat

Volume Five: Final Battle

Chapter 144: The Eccentric Yellow Cat

Translated by Addis of Exiled Rebels Scanlations

Editor: Karai

In the year 859 of the Ephemeris, the Far Voyage Empire and the Dunkirk Federation divided their borders and engaged in a standoff along the Chain Nebula.

As Lilith Lancer led the “Mulan” fleet back to the federation, Popova and Chen Zhen brought back the Third Army to the Alpha Defense Line. With Hannibal’s forces dwindling, diminishing even further after Popova’s death, they were now less than two-fifths of their former strength.

Everyone assumed that Hannibal would lay low, recuperate, and engage in a protracted war with the Federation. The Defense Department and Congress were even debating whether to immediately launch an attack on the Far Voyage Empire or to bide their time and build up strength. However, contrary to expectations, Hannibal had no intention of lying low. In the spring of the second year of his dictatorship, he simultaneously launched attacks on both the Alpha Frontline and the Third Army’s Seiling Defense Ring.

Hannibal was not a simple brute; he had commanded the Voyager Army for decades and was well-versed in military strategy. Therefore, his initial strategy was not a direct confrontation but rather psychological warfare, starting with a propaganda infiltration.

As Jin Xuan anticipated, after his “dictatorship proclamation” virus was intercepted and cleared by the federation’s information center, he quickly launched a second, even more extensive propaganda campaign. He directed his spies and hackers within the federation to spread fragments of his “dictatorship proclamation” under various false identities, spreading rumors to smear Jin Zhe and Jin Xuan brothers and calling on the people to establish a cult-like organization to replace guide schools, collecting and training guides exclusively for sentinel service.

Hannibal’s tactics were vicious; he spread rumors about Jin Zhe’s “raising” of guides just before the president’s wedding, concealed news of Mu’s identity, and incited sentinels to protest against the federation government’s disregard for democracy and its “elitist” practices. These actions stirred up quite a bit of unrest in both military and political circles within the federation, even influencing many uninformed ordinary citizens.

Fortunately, Jin Zhe was prepared for this. Since the repeal of the Succession Act, he and his cabinet had devised meticulous plans for any potential contingencies. As soon as Hannibal made his move, Jin Zhe seized the opportunity during his wedding to clarify the process of his acquaintance with Mu, including developing a fondness for him during the Black Pearl incident, discovering that Mu’s daughter shared the same genes as himself, and coming together because of the “capture and kill” attack incident, and so on…

The president’s wedding was broadcast simultaneously throughout the federation. His sincere and plain-spoken declaration during the wedding won the understanding and approval of the vast majority of the people. After the wedding, various media outlets revealed numerous details, such as their first meeting at the St. Martin Center, the history records of his registration at the sperm bank, and records of him quietly conducting a paternity test with Zhuang Zhuang, and so on…

After wave upon wave of “revelations,” suspicions about Jin Zhe “raising guides” were completely dispelled. Those with ulterior motives who questioned him could, at most, accuse Mu of deceiving the president by hiding his identity. However, according to the Guide Protection Act, Mu’s actions could be pardoned after registration, and no one could legally convict him; they could only morally condemn his selfishness.

But who would condemn him for concealing his identity as a guide? Mu was born during the massacre; he wouldn’t have survived if he had been sent to the Tungusic base! Moreover, his remarkable achievements in his professional field, as the Dean of the Aston Medical School, made it perfectly normal for him not to want to be captured by guide schools or raised by sentinels—even a saint couldn’t be blamed for tying himself up and sending himself to prison without any wrongdoing, right?

In short, under Jin Zhe’s powerful public relations defense, Hannibal’s first wave of attacks was rendered null and void, and even Jin Xuan and Wu Chenghe, who were inadvertently implicated, were forgiven by the public. Of course, Jin Xuan’s charismatic charm played a significant role in this; his fan base was too formidable. 

Any attempts by Hannibal to discredit King were automatically translated by fans into touching love stories, which failed to incite public calls for his resignation but instead elevated him to the status of an inspirational figure. As a renowned emo in the universe, he transformed himself from being in love with a guide to striving tirelessly, becoming a federal major general in just seven years, and defending the Alpha Frontline for the federation!

Is there anyone more positive than him? My idol is simply too cool!

In summary, handsomeness is the truth, and Jin Xuan’s mere appearance has overwhelmed the sympathy of the entire federation…

Hannibal’s second wave of public opinion attacks came one after another. Unlike smearing the president, the distribution of guides involved hundreds of millions of sentinels, especially the vital interests of sentinel soldiers. This was not something that could be solved with just ordinary explanations and brainwashing. The Federation had to show some real capabilities, otherwise, even if the soldiers wouldn’t immediately turn against Hannibal, their loyalty to the Federation would be greatly diminished.

At this time, the cooperation results between Jin Zhe and the Freedom Guide organization became fully apparent: just as Hannibal’s “cult” propaganda was spreading, the joint research group of Saint Martin and the Navy made a public statement, claiming that their years of research on “embryo interference agents” had passed Phase I clinical trials with significant effects and were about to recruit volunteers from across society for Phase II expanded trials!

This round of volunteer recruitment included sentinels, guides, and ordinary people. As the initiators and sponsors of the project, the federal government promised all citizens that any legally compatible pair willing to participate in the experiment would receive a special government subsidy. Moreover, regardless of whether their offspring were guides or not, they would enjoy free education from daycare to university, regardless of the planet, city, or school!

At the same time, they disclosed the entire process of their research starship being attacked by Hannibal’s “Capture” fleet several months ago in the Independent Fleet’s jurisdiction! As the head of the project team, Mu personally released the monitoring footage from the starship at that time, including how the research personnel evacuated and how the “Capture” tentacle mecha dismantled the research mainframe and transferred experimental agents, and so on.

He did not offer much explanation about the incident, only objectively stating the facts at the time. But facts speak louder than words; the public was not foolish. Why did Hannibal meticulously seek to obtain the research group’s results, even dispatching “Capture” units deep into the heart of the Independent Fleet? Wasn’t it all for the sake of obtaining this research outcome?

Then what was he blabbering about in his “dictatorial proclamation” that his people had already mastered embryo interference technology? Wasn’t that just nonsense? If you already possess it, why bother snatching from others? Do they think everyone is stupid?

Just as the research group’s statement was being widely discussed, another bombshell exploded— the mysterious “Free Guide” organization unexpectedly appeared! For centuries, it was the first time they had sent out a representative, extending an olive branch to the federal government via the internet!

“Please, forgive our selfishness. As guides, we also want to live openly and freely in this galaxy, but the talents bestowed upon us by God have burdened us heavily. From the Cocktail Case to the Massacre and then to the Guide Protection Act, our freedom has always been like dew on leaves, evaporating and disappearing as soon as it is exposed to sunlight,” the representative earnestly said in the video. “Although federal laws have been repeatedly amended, and the situation for registered guides has been improving, there is still a significant gap in our living environment compared to ordinary people. We are also human; we have family and friends, emotions and desires. We don’t want to be puppets bred solely for sentinels our whole lives!”

The representative was a female squirrel guide, speaking with tears in her eyes. “A few months ago, the Voyager Army Commander Hannibal disregarded human unity, launched an attack on the Alpha Alliance, and threatened the Third Army with force, resulting in countless casualties among federal soldiers. As citizens of the Federation, we, the Free Guide organization, are deeply saddened and heartbroken by this. Some of us have decided to step forward, voluntarily forming pairs with the sentinel warriors guarding the front lines, jointly defending the Federation’s borders, and striving to reclaim the territories occupied by the Far Voyage Empire!”

At its peak, the Free Guide organization protected nearly four thousand guides. Even after the implementation of the Guide Protection Act, the number of personnel decreased, but it had remained at around two thousand for many years. This time, more than eleven hundred adult guides took the initiative to stand up, declaring their willingness to form pairs with the Alpha Alliance garrison, which was a huge benefit for the frontline sentinels, something that happened once in a century!

What were Hannibal’s words about “raising guides” even worth? Let’s slow down; he didn’t even have embryo interference agents in his hands. Even if he did, it would take nearly twenty years to raise a guide above eighteen. And what about the Federation? In the blink of an eye, more than eleven hundred unmarked free guides emerged!

Compared to the fictitious beauty and the real benefits, there was no competition. Hannibal’s attempt to provoke internal strife within the Federation, to undermine the authority of guide schools with “cult” organizations, was doomed to fail. Under the joint efforts of the embryo research group and the Free Guide organization, his tricks were like dropping a pebble into the ocean, failing to create even a small ripple and being drowned in the tide of national unity.

Even worse, his “dictatorial proclamation” lies were exposed. Everyone, including his subjects in the Far Voyage Empire, knew that he never possessed the legendary “embryo interference agents”; they had always been in the hands of the federal government! Despite Hannibal repeatedly declaring that he had mastered the core technology, even letting doctors from the Gabriel First Hospital testify, the shadow of doubt still lingered over his head. Unless he suddenly produced hundreds or thousands of guide babies, no one would fully believe him.

The crisis of trust began to spread within the Voyager Army, especially among frontline soldiers. When they learned that their opponents across the Zhifu Chain Nebula were about to receive eleven hundred guides while they could only die in mania, this crisis of trust turned into complaints of dissatisfaction, plunging the entire fleet into restlessness and unease.

Jin Zhe quickly learned about the latest developments from the other side through his own insiders in the Voyager Army. Watching the agents’ concise encrypted emails, the cunning smile of the fox appeared at the corners of his mouth.

“What are you laughing at?” Zhuang Zhuang lay on the floor of Jin Zhe’s office, playing with blocks. Seeing Jin Zhe’s sly smile, she curiously asked while throwing a block at him, hitting his foot.

Since returning from Tianque Spaceport, Zhuang Zhuang had not gone to Aston Medical College Nursery School for education. Mu had already completed the resignation procedures, no longer needing to teach at school. He naturally had no reason to stay there. Last month, Mu had wanted to send her to the Military Government Center Kindergarten, but Jin Zhe couldn’t bear it, only saying that their daughter had been scared during the bombing incident and needed a few months to rest at home. Mu couldn’t argue with him, so he agreed.

So now the little yellow cat girl had become Jin Zhe’s personal assistant and mascot, squatting in the presidential office every day, playing blocks and low-level games like “Barbie Princess Love Beauty”. Of course, the latter was entirely the result of the President’s childish plea; as a tomboy, Zhuang Zhuang wasn’t interested in such girlish games.

“We’re going to win the war, that’s why I’m happy.” Jin Zhe finished reading the battle report, feeling great, and smiled happily, giving his daughter a flying kiss. “Daddy President is about to reclaim the territory stolen by the bad guys.”

“Daddy is great, let’s kill them!” Zhuang Zhuang also returned a flying kiss to him. Father and daughter both revealed rogue-like smiles.

Mu came back from Saint Martin Center and saw them both smiling suspiciously. He frowned and said, “What conspiracy are you two planning again?” He lightly tapped his daughter’s little foot with his toe. “Who told you to stay here? Didn’t I tell you, this is the President’s office, children shouldn’t come in casually.”

“Oh, it’s me who asked her to come and accompany me.” Jin Zhe quickly pushed the blame onto himself, “I’m restless when you’re not at home. Seeing Zhuang Zhuang makes me slightly relieved, and the doctor agreed too.”

Mu had nothing to say to someone who acted weak in front of him all day long. He picked up his daughter from the floor, tidied up her messy bangs, and said, “Okay, put away the toys and go downstairs to wake up your brothers, then take them to wash their faces and eat fruits.”

With the situation unstable in the Independent Fleet’s jurisdiction, Mu and Jin Zhe brought the twins back to Dunkirk’s capital. The twins had long been accustomed to being separated from their parents at the Star Core and felt no discomfort at all. They didn’t even mention their parents much in the past two days because they could stay with Goddess and the Big, Second, and Third Fatty all the time, feeling quite content. 

The twins were weak in health and needed long naps every day. As a sentinel, it was completely unnecessary for Zhuang Zhuang, so she was responsible for waking them up every day, then helping them wash and eat together.

After sending his daughter away, Mu pushed the huge toy box to the corner of the wall and said to Jin Zhe, “You can’t spoil her like this without any bottom line. She’s still a child. Why do you discuss national affairs with her all day long? Are you full and have nothing else to do?”

Jin Zhe felt quite pleased with this feeling of being lectured, like a big cat, he lay on the large desk, hummed a couple of times, and said, “Staying together, we have to talk, right? She shares her toy experiences with me, and of course, I discuss my work with her.”

What kind of logic was that? Mu was speechless facing the eccentric Yellow Cat Clan. He decisively decided to send his daughter to kindergarten next Monday to receive a normal education. He tapped his finger on the tabletop and said, “Forget it, let’s talk about business. Sienna gave me the list of volunteer guides. Next, we need to find suitable people to pick them up from their respective residences and safely send them to the Alpha Alliance.”

“Um, I see.” Jin Zhe looked at his wife’s solemn queenly face, which looked beautiful no matter how he looked at it. He mumbled with his face on the table, “I’ve already had the guide school draw up a charter. Mrs. Balon will submit the proposal to the responsible person of the Free Guide Organization by tonight, and within twenty-four hours, Congress will issue a special protection law for these guides.”

“That’s good.” Mu breathed a sigh of relief. “The news has been announced. It’s best to get this done as soon as possible to avoid more troubles.”

“Yeah, don’t worry, they won’t be in danger.” Jin Zhe rallied himself, sat up, and discreetly wiped off the saliva that had just dripped onto the table with his sleeve. “At the latest, within this week, the guide school will send these guides to the front line, and they will also bring Jin Xuan and Wu Chenghe back for childbirth… sigh, I really didn’t expect so many volunteers this time. I thought there would be at most four or five hundred.”

“Yeah, I didn’t expect it either.” Mu sighed heavily. “Guides are usually timid. It’s already difficult enough for them to mind their own business. This time, when the Federation is in trouble, so many people have volunteered to step forward. It’s really…” He couldn’t find a suitable word for a while, and it took him a while to say, “It’s probably instinctive drive. Guides are all altruistic.”

“In the past, some scientists said that guides are the highest stage of human evolution. I’ve always been skeptical, but now it seems to have some truth.” Jin Zhe said, “Sentinels are inferior to guides in terms of humanity. They are more selfish and self-centered, preferring to conquer enemies with force but rarely making sacrifices for others. Guides’ compassion is the greatest force that binds humanity together.”

“Maybe.” Mu smiled faintly. “Sentinels represent fatherhood, symbolizing strength and conquest, while guides represent motherhood, symbolizing tolerance and sacrifice.”

Jin Zhe carefully pondered his point of view and realized that his wife was actually a philosopher. He admired and said, “You’re right. If fatherhood’s conquest lacks the motherhood’s kindness, the world will become a wasteland trampled by wild horses, full of destruction but without renewal.”

Mu chuckled helplessly. “Are you trying to discuss these philosophical issues with me, Mr. President, or should we talk about specific problems?”

Jin Zhe laughed and brought his thoughts back from the wasteland trampled by wild horses. He said, “Right, right, let’s talk about specific problems. This time, with more than eleven hundred guides reinforcing the Alpha Alliance, it’s estimated that in the end, they will still have to select sentinels for them based on qualifications. There’s no way around it.”

“I think everyone has thought of this.” Mu said, “The guides are mentally prepared, but the sentinels… I suggest that when the guide school handles the details, they should improve their attitude a bit, not like before, high and mighty. After all, Hannibal’s remarks still have some influence on everyone, and the federation’s approach in this regard is indeed not democratic enough.”

“Yeah, the new law from Congress will take everyone’s emotions into account.” Jin Zhe sighed. “Everything will be fine. After all, we already have the Embryo Interference Agent. As long as we find enough volunteers, the ‘Guide Shortage’ will be greatly relieved within thirty years. Young sentinels can wait.”

“Gathering volunteers is a big problem.” Mu frowned. “It’s wartime now. Maybe some young pairs will participate in the experiment out of patriotism, but this isn’t a long-term solution. Without improving the Guide Protection Law and granting guides freedom and human rights, they will eventually be disappointed with the federation, and it will be a vicious cycle by then.”

Jin Zhe also furrowed his brows deeply, forming a profound ‘川’ character. He said, “I plan to hand this matter over to Hobart and let him and Mrs. Balon discuss it thoroughly to come up with a concrete reform plan as soon as possible. For example, setting up several guide schools outside of Tungusic, allowing guides to enroll nearby, allowing them to meet their families regularly, choose their own courses, and so on…” As he spoke, he suddenly brightened his eyes. “No, it shouldn’t be this simple. Perhaps the purpose of this plan is not to formulate a new law, but to devise a method for continuously improving the law. In this way, the ultimate result we obtain should be a law that ‘updates the Guide Protection Law in real-time according to the number of guides’, which would achieve a virtuous cycle.”

In terms of politics, Jin Zhe’s creativity was truly remarkable. Mu felt like the door to a new world had been opened. Although implementing such a law would probably wring the brains of the Speaker of the House, it sounded quite good.

“Yeah, that’s settled then. I’ll call Hobart for a meeting later.” Jin Zhe figured out an important issue, feeling very happy. He got up, leaned over the desk, and kissed Mu’s lips. “Great, it’s better to have you here with me than Zhuang Zhuang!”

Mu leaned back, unable to dodge, and was solidly kissed by him. He pushed him away by grabbing his shoulders and said, “Can you behave normally during work hours? Is your head itching again, or do you feel like banging it against the wall?”

Jin Zhe backed off, lifted his cool red mechanical arm, and the mechanical hand spun like a windmill. “Why are you so fierce? Can’t you be a bit gentle with me? I’m a poor man with only one hand!”

Mu’s face turned black instantly. He pushed his chair back and stood up. “You play by yourself. I’m leaving. Goodbye!” He shouldn’t have softened his heart and let him install such a thing. Why wasn’t there anything in the manual about it turning into… oh! Go to hell!

“Remember to come to the meeting when Hobart arrives later,” Jin Zhe shouted after his back. “I plan to leave the matter of the law to you to negotiate with him. You’ve been in charge of the organization for so long, you’re the most experienced in managing guides… And Jin Xuan and Wu Chenghe are about to return to rest and prepare for childbirth. Remember to have someone clean up their rooms…”

After resigning from Aston Medical College, Mu became the “First Mate”. This damn position was almost the same as the presidential assistant, always assisting the president with various plans… Mu had originally worried that he would feel restless and unable to adapt after “retiring”, but now he realized he was too busy to feel restless.

The cost of marrying a president was too high!

 

 

 

 

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