Chapter 123: Wait for Me

Translated by Addis of Exiled Rebels Scanlations

Editor: Karai

As the Alien beast tide pressed forward, the Federation fleets stationed at the front lines could no longer hold out on their own. The High Command decided to dispatch every fleet equipped with anti-beast weaponry to the battlefield at the Alien Void.

Among them were the three fleets previously recalled to the Rose System for drills and parades, as well as four others that had been resting within Federation territory. Those fleets were now ordered to regroup and head for the front.

Even so, before the deployments were finalized, the Federation government and military leadership reached an agreement: the final parade would still be held. It would be broadcast live across all Federation systems, a demonstration meant to prove to the people that their leaders still had the confidence and strength to repel the beasts’ assault.

In addition, the military provided the Federation Star Police with a cache of anti-beast weapons. While the fleets moved to the front, the Star Police would be responsible for maintaining internal order, and the major exploration corps would return to the Federation’s borders to accelerate the extraction of resources—ensuring the front lines had a steady reserve supply.

“The parade will be held at the edge of the Rose System. The four resting fleets will rendezvous with the three major fleets there. That is the final decision. Any objections?”

Marshal Chen Qiu’s face was lined with years carved sharp as blades, but in that moment his gaze was as steady and unyielding as a mountain. No one spoke.

“Good. Proposal 87572 has passed unanimously. All of you will carry out the orders as decreed.”

“Yes, sir!”

The meeting ended, the figures around the long table fading away one after another. Only then was it clear how few generals had returned to New Blue Star in person.

Before shutting down his projection, the commander of the Achilles’ Shield Fleet nodded toward Zhou Yunchen. “General Zhou, we’ll be waiting for you at the edge of the Rose System.”

As Zhou Yunchen rose to leave, Marshal Chen suddenly called to him. “You rushed back this time… to see Lu Yao, didn’t you?”

His mouth tightened. “Yes. I intend to go find him.”

Chen seemed about to say more, but in the end swallowed the words and only said, “The starship for the Silver Halberd Fleet departs in three hours.”

“I’ll be mindful of the time,” Zhou Yunchen replied.

He said nothing further. Zhou Yunchen strode from the chamber. As he prepared to leave headquarters, a Federation Intelligence Bureau transport marked with its special insignia swept past his own craft.

Once the turbulence of their passing had settled, Zhou Yunchen piloted his flyer down the military passageway, speeding toward home.

The villa’s AI confirmed Lu Yao was inside. Yet when Zhou Yunchen rushed up the steps, flung open the door, and entered, the house stood silent and empty. Lu Yao was not there. His call went unanswered.

Gray clouds hung low over New Blue Star, the winter wind cutting through as Lu Yao stepped down from the flyer. Snow was beautiful, but the storm-laden skies and howling gales made the season bitter. If the people of New Blue Star had known the beast tide was coming, perhaps their most wished-for weather this winter would have been a bright sunny day instead.

“Come. Marshal Chen and the council are waiting.” Mr. Teng had already alighted, handing the flyer to an automated valet drone.

“Mm.” Lu Yao followed into the military headquarters. A solemn officer awaited him, guiding him to the secure conference room. A narrow door slid open. Inside, faces shifted—expressions mixed and heavy. Nearly all the highest council members were present, their weighty presence steeped in a suffocating air. Teng clapped Lu Yao’s shoulder. “Go on. I’ll be outside.”

Lu Yao took the case from him and stepped inside. The door shut firmly behind him.

…

“You’re asking the Federation to hunt down and prosecute the Helios Group. Director Lu, with the beast tide at our gates, countless fleets and mechas waiting for energy… Do you really think this is the time?”

Lu Yao sat at the far end of the table, posture straight, face composed. His voice was cool and steady. “If you consider only the immediate conditions, of course it isn’t the right time. I understand your concerns. But in my report, I also outlined the countermeasures. Before questioning me, don’t ignore that fact.”

He never bargained in circles, and everyone in the room knew it. They also knew another thing: Lu Yao was cautious and meticulous. By the time he submitted a final report, every line had already been weighed with care. There would be no simple errors.

But not everyone was as calm as he was. With danger pressing from outside and turmoil rising within, the weight on their shoulders left even seasoned leaders gasping for breath.

“You claim you can guarantee the successful use of new energy. Can we truly believe you?” Marshal Chen fixed her gaze on him. “Gravitational transformation was your sole proposal. Aside from you, there is no expert we can turn to for review. Lu Yao—can we trust you?”

“If I weren’t certain, I wouldn’t be here.” He set the case onto the table, opened the lid, and a flash of blinding white light made the councilors flinch. “I can guarantee both the efficiency and stability of this new energy. But I have a question in return—can I trust your abilities? Because the counterplan requires far more than simply applying a new energy source.”

The truth was plain: the government and military dared not move openly against the Helios Group while war raged. Helios supplied energy for over half of all military facilities, including specialized types only they could produce. If ties were severed, if supply ceased, the Federation’s anti-beast weapons would become little more than space junk adrift among the stars.

In Lu Yao’s plan, the government and military had to seize control of Helios through commercial channels, securing their wartime supply. His new energy project was not the solution—it was the insurance, the last-resort safeguard. Now the question was whether these old men and women had the courage to take that gamble.

Zhou Yunchen waited at home for two hours. Only Torque kept him company. The little white cat rubbed against his legs at first, then leapt onto his lap, pacing restlessly over the unmoving man’s chest and knees. But Zhou Yunchen never responded.

Eventually bored, Torque curled up at his side and dozed. Lu Yao never returned. His comm never came through. Zhao Minghe was already urging Zhou Yunchen to depart. He could not wait any longer.

He thought to send Lu Yao a message: I’ll be boarding the starship in an hour. But the thought soured. If Lu Yao saw that message after he was gone, it would only hurt. Better to leave no trace at all. If the meeting and the parting had never been known, then there could be no regret in losing them.

Zhou Yunchen set down his AI assistant. He refused to think further. Rising to go, he stirred Torque awake. The cat blinked blearily, then hopped down and wound around his legs, pressing hard against his trousers.

He stared at the cat. Torque stared back with gemstone-blue eyes, and in the end Zhou Yunchen relented. He dug out the food bowl and filled it to the brim with kibble. With food before him, Torque forgot his neediness, burying his face in the dish.

A sudden worry crossed Zhou Yunchen’s mind—what if he overfed the little thing? Lu Yao seemed to prefer his cat lean and agile. The last time Torque had overeaten, Lu Yao had tossed him onto the treadmill.

But watching Torque devour his meal with such single-minded joy, Zhou Yunchen remembered his own weakness when he was the snow leopard, unable to resist food. Torque was only a kitten. What harm could there be in that? Surely Lu Yao wouldn’t storm from New Blue Star to the Alien Void just because his cat had gotten chubby.

So Zhou Yunchen convinced himself, shut the door behind him, and left the house for the launch base. His starship awaited, ready to carry him to the orbital port, where he would transfer to the fleet.

Lu Yao spent two hours presenting the current progress of new energy research, its future applications, and a detailed report on its interchangeability with existing energy systems.

On the other side of the long table, several committee members gradually softened their expressions as they considered his words. They could not make a decision immediately, but when they told Lu Yao they would discuss the proposal further with the government, he understood they had already accepted his plan.

Chang Jian would be responsible for smoothing over the rest of the decision-making process. The Helios Group was about to face an unprecedented commercial siege. When Lu Yao turned and walked out of the confidential meeting room, Mr. Teng caught sight of his calm expression and guessed that the negotiation had succeeded. He could not help but smile.

Just then, the narrow door opened again, and Marshal Chen Qiu stepped out alone, his gaze settling on Lu Yao.

“Marshal Chen.”

“Dean Lu, are you aware that General Zhou has returned to New Blue Star?”

“I wasn’t,” Lu Yao replied, frowning slightly.

“He’s about to depart for the Silver Halberd Fleet’s station. Right now he’s at Launch Base Three,” Chen said. “Because of the confidentiality rules of this meeting, I couldn’t inform him of your whereabouts. But now that the meeting is finished, you can go find him. If you want to see him, go quickly—and be careful on the way.”

Lu Yao’s pupils widened. “Thank you, Marshal. I’ll go now.”

“I’ll take you.” Mr. Teng hurried after him, piloting a flyer to carry Lu Yao toward Launch Base Three. As they left the government complex, Lu Yao’s personal AI assistant reconnected to the network, and several missed communications immediately appeared on his display. All were from one or two hours earlier, and every single one came from Zhou Yunchen.

Because the confidential meeting required total secrecy, neither Chang Jian nor Mo Feng had been allowed to reveal Lu Yao’s location. Zhou Yunchen had been searching for him in vain.

Lu Yao tried calling back, but the connection failed. Zhou Yunchen must have already entered the signal-restricted zone of the launch base. That meant he was about to board a ship and leave New Blue Star. Lu Yao slapped the back of the driver’s seat hard. “Deputy Director, faster! Zhou Yunchen’s about to depart!”

“I’m accelerating already!” Teng shouted back. “And for the record, I’m the deputy director, not an agent!”

The flyer tore through the gaps between city towers, winter wind howling around the engines. The heavy gray clouds pressed low above them like lead.

Breaking free into the open plain, the vehicle rocked under unrestrained gusts. Ahead, the vast black-gray expanse of Launch Base Three stretched into view. Countless massive starships moved slowly across the base, carrying officers and soldiers one by one into the sky.

As their flyer neared the base, the scenery beyond the glass windows blurred. It had begun to snow. Thick flakes drifted down from the clouds, whipped about by fierce winds. Crystals struck the flyer’s windows, their six-pointed shapes almost visible before they melted away.

The plain was soon wrapped in white frost, soft and silent. Only the dark base floor remained unchanged, heated by engines and scorched by starship exhaust so that falling snow dissipated before it touched the ground. Mr. Teng landed the flyer at the base entrance. Lu Yao leapt out into the freezing wind. Ice-cold air rushed down his collar, but his heart pounded so fast that sweat dampened his back.

He did not know why he felt so nervous, so desperate. He did not know why he needed to see Zhou Yunchen right now, when they should have had so many other chances to meet again.

Security guards blocked his way, but once Lu Yao flashed his Mecha Research Institute ID, they let him through. Inside the base, he grabbed an intelligent robot and demanded to know the location of the Silver Halberd Fleet’s transport.

The robot pointed him in a direction, and Lu Yao sprinted across the hall—only to find the boarding bridge already sealed. Through the glass, he could see the stream of soldiers and officers in steel-blue uniforms filing across, Zhou Yunchen at the head of the formation.

The bridge jutted out from the hall like a “T,” sealed off entirely. No sound could carry through. Lu Yao’s cries could not reach him. He had no choice but to run outside.

Zhou Yunchen, turning slightly toward Zhao Minghe, was speaking quietly as he prepared to board the ship. Lu Yao was less than a hundred meters away when three security drones glided in front of him.

“Danger zone ahead. Civilians prohibited.”

“Let me through!”

“Danger zone ahead. Civilians prohibited.”

Fury surged. Lu Yao kicked one of the drones, but though they were dull machines, they performed their duty perfectly. He could not get close to the bridge.

“Zhou Yunchen!” His shout vanished into the blizzard. On the sealed bridge, Zhao Minghe received a command and saluted Zhou before entering the ship. One by one, the remaining officers boarded.

For some reason, Zhou Yunchen lingered. Instead of following, he stayed to the side, staring at his personal AI assistant. He still had his back to Lu Yao, unaware of the man so close behind him.

“Zhou Yunchen!” Lu Yao roared again, throat burning with cold until he doubled over coughing against the drones.

“Do not touch the security unit,” the machines droned in unison.

The last officer saluted. “General, aren’t you boarding?”

“Go ahead. I’ll wait a moment.”

The officer gave no comment and walked on. Zhou Yunchen frowned, calling after him. “Did you hear something just now?”

“Sir? The engines are loud. Nothing else.”

“No, I… forget it. Go.” Zhou Yunchen waved him off. He thought he’d heard his name—faint, illusory. It sounded like the voice in his dreams. He was leaving. Lu Yao had not come. No one was calling for him, was there? Confused, he scanned the crowd anyway, clinging to a hopeless instinct. And then, through the snow, he saw him.

Lu Yao stood coughing in the storm, white flakes burying his dark hair and shoulders, his slender frame bent against the cold. Heat exploded through Zhou Yunchen’s chest. He tore off his pack, abandoned everything, and bolted from the bridge.

Lu Yao, wiping snow from his lashes, looked up just in time to see the bridge empty. Zhou Yunchen was gone. His heart sank—too late, the ship must have swallowed him. But then warmth pressed against his back, strong arms caging him close. “Zhou Yunchen…”

“It’s me.” His lips brushed Lu Yao’s temple. “Yao, I thought we wouldn’t have time to say goodbye.”

Lu Yao stripped off his gloves and clutched Zhou Yunchen’s bare hand. Their warmth mingled between them. “We have time.”

Zhou’s mouth trailed along his hair and ear. “I have to leave now.”

“I know.”

When Lu Yao turned, Zhou’s hair and uniform were already covered with snow, even the stars on his collar nearly buried. They looked like two snowmen pulled together from the storm. Zhou kissed his frozen lashes and red nose before pressing his lips to Lu Yao’s.

“Wait for me to return.”

“I will,” Lu Yao rasped, his voice almost swallowed by the storm. “If I finish my work, I might even come find you.”

Zhou’s brows furrowed. “Is it work outside your mecha research?”

“Something like that.”

“Be careful. I’ll wait for you.”

“Alright.”

Time was slipping away. Zhou Yunchen released him, draped his military coat over Lu Yao’s shoulders, and turned toward the waiting ship.

Above New Blue Star, countless starships roared into the sky, their engines burning trails through the snow. When Zhou’s ship vanished into the clouds, raindrops—melted snow—spattered Lu Yao’s cheeks. Their last farewell.

At the edge of the Rose System, the fleet assembled. The grand review began, broadcast across the Federation, and immediately afterward the ships entered warp toward the frontier battlefield.

Even those not watching the live stream could look up from New Blue Star and see, like jewels against the dark heavens, the blazing lights of engines far across the galaxy. Warriors departed for battle, and their starlight pierced the night once more, falling upon the homes they swore to protect.

 

 

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