Chapter 176: Yuanxiao Held the Red Koi
Translated by Addis of Exiled Rebels Scanlations
Editor: Karai
“The security forces in the attacked areas were partly busy clearing out small Zerg, but most were escorting citizens into underground shelters and maintaining order. The Northern Hemisphere’s guards were trying to provide manpower and weapon support, but…” Rita sighed helplessly, “our security forces simply weren’t equipped with large-scale lethal weapons. They had little chance against the Zerg.”
Haven’s culture was free and open, and due to strict entry regulations, society was stable. The security forces only dealt with minor disputes and had no need for heavy weapons. What used to be a symbol of peace had now become a sign of helplessness.
Lin Xu glanced at Brumer, who clenched his teeth in silence, and asked, “I remember there were quite a few weapons and energy laboratories on Haven?”
“Yes, there were,” Brumer said, suddenly awakened by Lin Xu’s remark. “They cooperated with arms companies within the Long Whale Region for research and development.”
“See if they can provide assistance,” Lin Xu suggested.
Another committee member thought carefully. “They’d probably be willing to provide weapons. With instructions, they can be operated. But… accuracy is questionable.”
Lin Xu raised an eyebrow.
“They’re all researchers, not soldiers. We can’t expect them to fight the Zerg on the front lines,” the committee member said. “It’s hard to find trained operators.”
“Close combat isn’t necessarily needed,” Lin Xu said. “What about remotely operated weapons?”
Brumer answered, “They have those — both space-based and ground-based weapons.”
“Even if we can’t kill Zerg up close, establishing a fire blockade in key areas to block further Zerg invasion would work.”
“A fire blockade…” The committee member hesitated. Lin Xu looked at the middle-aged man and guessed his doubt. “Once we contact usable weapons, I can provide tactical advice. Don’t worry.”
“Alright. We’ll inquire with the major weapons R&D labs.”
After confirming the plan, the group dispersed and efficiently sent out messages to the outside world. Lin Xu found Brumer, pulling him aside into a corner to ask, “Is there any way to contact the Alliance?”
“The Alliance… if you find the right frequency, you probably can. Dr. Lin, you want to?”
“When I arrived, I didn’t notify anyone in the Alliance. They probably don’t know I’m here. I want to ask if they can come to support Haven.”
Brumer nodded. “Alright, I can take you to activate the long-range satellite connection to the Alliance.”
He led Lin Xu to the adjacent room and powered on a massive communications modulator that occupied the entire space. After linking with the long-range satellite, they searched the stars for a signal. Brumer murmured data, recalling bits from when he’d seen Godric contact the Alliance.
The Council members remained busy inside the building until night fell. The lights attracted a flying Zerg, which Lin Xu shot dead with a laser pistol, sending it plummeting from the sky.
The loud noise drew an even higher-level Zerg, which deftly dodged Lin Xu’s energy shots. Lin Xu had to leap through a window, land on the Zerg’s back, choke its neck, and slice off its head and limbs with his claws.
Lin Xu and the Zerg corpse fell rapidly. Rita, watching through the glass, nearly gasped aloud, but her companions quickly covered her mouth to prevent their voices from attracting more Zerg.
Lin Xu’s eyes stayed calm as he gripped the Zerg’s severed neck, using the wind to steer. Nearing the building, he leapt up, grabbed the third-floor window ledge with one hand, still holding the Zerg body in the other.
He let go of the window ledge, dropping down to the second floor before releasing the Zerg corpse to fall quietly to the ground.
Rita peeked out from the seventh floor and saw Lin Xu deftly slip back inside the window. When he returned to the seventh floor, he was carrying a pile of torn fabric sofa covers.
“Turn off the main lights and cover the windows with cloth to avoid attracting more Zerg.”
Though giant Zerg didn’t approach the Council building, the people could still feel the tremors from heavy Zerg bodies stomping in the distance. The shaking traveled through the ground into the building.
Those remaining on the surface were tense, unsure what fears the people in the underground shelters harbored.
Committee members with free hands stepped forward to take the fabric from Lin Xu and cover the windows. Only then did they notice food and water hidden beneath the cloth.
“The power on the lower floors is out. I smashed the vending machines to get some bread, biscuits, and drinks. Take what you need.”
Pale, Rita stood nearby. Lin Xu handed her a bag of bread and an energy drink. Still thinking about everything she had just witnessed, she softly said to the sharp-featured, aloof young man, “Thank you…”
The seventh floor had a separate power and security system that still operated normally. The committee members had responsibilities and couldn’t hide in shelters, but they also dared not leave the seventh floor. They had barely eaten all day.
Unfortunately, the vending machines only had snacks, no nutritional supplements, so Lin Xu picked foods with strong satiety to bring along. He nodded and said no more, turning to help install curtains.
Several hours later, Brumer hurried over and whispered to Lin Xu that the Alliance’s central shipyard AI, Alice, had received a signal.
In another dark room, only the blinking indicator lights of the machines lit the space. Brumer handed the communicator to Lin Xu.
“Alice, it’s me, Lin Xu.”
“…”
“Voiceprint verification in progress… Verified. Confirmed caller identity: Lin Xu.” After Alice confirmed Lin Xu’s identity with a mechanical tone, her voice shifted to a normal human tone. “Dr. Lin, I am glad to assist you. How may I help?”
“I need to contact Heinrich Chu and Meng Zhenhua.”
“Mr. Chu and Marshal Meng have left the central shipyard.”
Lin Xu frowned. “Where did they go?”
“…”
“Level One confidential information. No access permission,” Alice replied. “I can transfer you to Secretary-General Ashelan to resolve related permission issues.”
“Transfer me.” Lin Xu said. Why would Heinrich and Meng Zhenhua leave the central shipyard together? Where could they possibly be going together? A minute later, Ashelan’s voice came through the comms. “Dr. Lin! Are you at Haven now?”
“Yes. Where are Heinrich and Meng Zhenhua?” Lin Xu paused, hearing something unusual in Ashelan’s voice as soon as he spoke of Lin Xu’s location. “You know what happened at Haven?”
“Yes, we know about the Zerg attack on the Long Whale Region. Marshal Meng decided to send troops to assist, but before reaching Haven, the Michael’s Sword defense line must be defeated, which will take some time,” Ashelan said. “Dr. Lin, how is the situation at Haven?”
“Massive casualties in the Southern and Western Hemispheres. The Northern Hemisphere is relatively stable, barely holding,” Lin Xu said. “I received news that Michael’s Sword defense line was also attacked by Zerg. Does your deployment plan take this into account?”
“…No.”
Lin Xu exhaled. “Let frontline commanders decide. I can only provide information; I cannot control the ever-changing battlefield.”
“I will pass it on.” Ashelan sounded troubled.
Michael’s Sword was under attack by a third party, thrown into chaos and vulnerability. Logically, the Alliance forces could take advantage and seize the defense line in one strike. But this third party was the Zerg — everything was different. The Zerg attacked all humans unconditionally. The Alliance and Imperial were indistinguishable in their eyes. The Alliance could not sit back and watch opportunistically. The communication ended.
Brumer stepped forward. “Dr. Lin, has the Alliance dispatched troops?”
“Mm,” Lin Xu lowered his eyelids. “But before reaching Haven, they need to find a way to cross the Michael’s Sword defense line. That will take some time. We still have to wait.”
Brumer paused, then realized the implication behind Lin Xu’s simple statement: the Alliance would have to declare war on Michael’s Sword — that is, on the Imperial.
“Mr. Brumer!” A committee member hurried over. “We have confirmed the intent of 18 weapons R&D bases and laboratories. They are willing to provide their experimental weapons.”
Brumer looked at Lin Xu. “Dr. Lin?”
“Is there a Council command center in the Northern Hemisphere?”
“Yes, yes.”
“Address.” Lin Xu looked at Brumer. “Come with me. We need your authority to control the situation there.”
“All right, all right. But how do we get there? The outside is full of Zerg. We can’t just drive across on land mode all the way to the Northern Hemisphere.”
“What’s your flyer’s speed?” Lin Xu asked.
“Top speed is six hundred kilometers per hour.”
Not enough…
“A-Class Zerg can catch up.”
“Dr. Lin,” Rita called after Lin Xu using Brumer’s form of address, “my lab developed hypersonic flyers. They can reach speeds of eight thousand kilometers per hour. Want to try?”
Eight thousand kilometers per hour was enough to punch a hole in the Zerg’s shell. Lin Xu said, “That’s the one.”
Hearing her suggestion accepted, Rita smiled, a small thrill rising in her chest. Before fetching the flyer from Rita’s lab, Brumer and Lin Xu arranged for the Council members to transfer to the underground shelters to avoid Zerg attacks here. Rita said that activating the lab required her personal verification and asked Lin Xu to bring her along.
“I can’t risk sending you back here again,” Lin Xu said. “If you come with us, you’ll have to ride the flyer through the Zerg tide. Are you sure?”
Rita nodded firmly. “I want to help.”
Lin Xu looked at her. “Get on.”
– –
The lotus leaves on the lake floated, disturbed by ripples. A koi leapt out of the water and bit off a petal. Palace guards patrolled along the designated paths.
Yuanxiao wagged his black-and-white tail and watched the big fat red koi nibbling on the lotus. He tilted his head in curiosity. Suddenly, his blue eyes brightened. He flicked his fish tail and swam underneath a lotus leaf—he knew that if he surfaced, the bad guys would spot him, so he was extremely cautious.
The water lilies floated on the surface, their blossoms not extending far. Yuanxiao stretched out his pale hand and plucked a petal from beneath the flower’s base. Like the koi, he put it into his mouth and chewed. It was a bit fragrant, a bit bitter, with a faint taste.
Yuanxiao clicked his tongue, thinking of the sweetness of sea crystal, and felt a pang of sadness and loneliness. Tears fell into the lake, unseen, but the salt change attracted the red koi, which pecked at Yuanxiao’s cheek. Yuanxiao reached out and hugged the koi tightly.
The koi wiggled its body, utterly unable to break free from Yuanxiao’s arms. Its body was cool, unlike Papa and Dada’s warm embrace, but here, only the koi could keep Yuanxiao company.
The little mermaid cried for a while before gradually falling asleep, still clutching the koi. As the koi swam, Yuanxiao was carried along with it, as if holding a moving, cuddly pillow. The koi’s big eyes seemed to say: weak, pitiful, helpless.
Outside the palace, news of the Zerg attack on the Long Whale Region spread back to the Imperial with lightning speed. Deploying troops to assist would take time, but the media was just as fast—within an hour of receiving the news, a flood of reports broke out.
“Zerg Attack on Long Whale Region! Alexandria Star Devastated, Haven Nearly Fallen!”
“Why Did the Zerg Unusually Enter the Long Whale Region?”
“How Long Can the Imperial Technology Hub Haven Hold Against the Zerg Incursion?”
…
After the reports, Imperial citizens in other star systems reacted first with worry about why the Zerg had actively attacked Imperial again. Then they began blaming the Florence defense line for being useless and letting the Zerg in, quickly followed by criticism of the Michael’s Sword defense line for idling on military pay without action.
But soon, new reports shifted public opinion.
“First Legion Encircled in Dionysus District Suppression Campaign”
“Third Legion Ambushed by the Alliance”
“Distracted Imperial Forces: Our Enemy—Zerg or the Alliance Beneath the Red Moon?”
…
People began complaining that rebel forces and the Alliance had split Imperial troops meant to fight the Zerg and protect citizens. Prioritizing division over human lives and continuity was selfish, immoral, and lacking empathy.
Just as Imperial hearts wavered with anxiety, and Imperial history was exposed, the long-hidden Emperor Alfred convened a press conference. He appeared as an old man, his gaze anxious but sincere.
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