Chapter 142

Forward Base, the dock of the future ship.

The place where freighters mostly docked for transporting supplies showed a different sight from before.

“Hurry up!”

Following the road, there were columns of alien prisoners, and soldiers who maintained strict vigilance, raising their voices towards them.

Though their limbs were already restrained, tanks and armored vehicles were positioned all over the roads and decks as a precaution against any contingency, aiming their gun barrels and turrets towards them.

“Ah….”

Exiled alien officers and soldiers gazing at their own ships, now no longer theirs, berthed on one side of the dock, letting out sighs.

The mighty battleships symbolizing the Empire’s iron fist bore the once glorious emblem of the Empire engraved on their outer armor, now faded in color. In its place lay the emblem of a white eagle spreading its wings.

“….”

The aliens, who stared at their ships with eyes clouded with sorrow, were in a wretched state.

Whenever the line would halt, a soldier’s reprimand would fly, and it would move again.

“Damn bastards, we should’ve just shot all of them.”

The soldier, gazing at the aliens, burned with enmity.

At the hostile glare, the aliens nearby shuddered and hastened their steps.

“Never mind. Even dung has uses, right? The higher-ups must have their reasons.”

Even as the sergeant spoke to the soldier, his own eyes were brimming with hatred.

It was only natural for humans to bear enmity toward aliens. However, there was a clear difference between the present and the past, though it might superficially appear the same.

This difference was in the form of enmity.

If the enmity humans once felt toward aliens was the rage toward invaders, the shared emotion they now harbored was a dull hatred.

This change was centered on the aliens’ own actions: the act of cannibalism and the brutal treatment of people in the occupied territories who were referred to as livestock.

After this fact spread among the terrestrial reclamation forces, the perception of aliens nosedived. All aliens had to endure ceaseless assaults and curses.

“Isn’t that right, Lieutenant?”

“You’re correct, Sergeant. Frankly speaking, they don’t even deserve bullets. They’re not even fit to be used as fertilizer.”

“Are you also speaking so aggressively now, Lieutenant?”

“It’s appropriate timing.”

The sergeant and the officer exchanged light-hearted banter.

Then the sergeant turned his gaze back to the group of aliens and opened his mouth slowly.

“Still, what is this operation going to be?”

“It’s confidential, and even someone at my junior officer level doesn’t receive much information… but,”

The officer trailed off, but his face was filled with both anticipation and one certainty.

“I heard this operation was also planned by Colonel Edu.”

“There he is again? If he’s involved, it’s as good as a victory.”

“That’s right.”

A smile simultaneously appeared on the faces of the two.

“This must also be Colonel Edu’s strategy, right? She’s truly the goddess of victory.”

Hearing the conversation, the soldier added, and the sergeant and officer nodded in agreement.

“She’s quite the person.”

“That’s true. I heard she is young and weak due to some illness, yet she works tirelessly at the frontlines without hesitation…”

The sergeant’s words, laced with bitterness and regret, were met with nods from the soldier and the officer.

Actually, Edu’s use of drones had nothing to do with any illness, and she was in perfect health.

However, such details were unknown to these people. The rumor that started among them turned Edu into an image of a pitiable yet commendable fighter who fought hard despite being frail, someone worth protecting.

“Hence, we must also do our best in our assigned roles. We must repay Colonel Edu’s dedication.”

“That’s right! We should also work hard!”

The three of them, brimming with determination.

Meanwhile, as this was happening, the alien prisoners boarded freighters according to guidance, and ships loaded with a sufficient number of prisoners prepared for takeoff.

….

[Edu, the prisoners are ready.]

The voice of Miss Banetta echoing through the command bridge of Iason.

“How are the other preparations going?”

[Others?]

After briefly pondering over my question, Miss Banetta’s eyes widened slightly as if realizing something.

[Ah, you’re talking about that thing from last time? Of course, it’s all done. You asked to retrofit the freighters into two types: barrier-equipped ships and firepower support vessels, right?]

“Yes, that’s correct.”

A necessary element for this operation, and the only person who could do it in time was Miss Banetta.

[However, since we didn’t have the luxury of time and had to rush a bit, you’ll need to account for the fact that the armaments of the freighters are varied.]

“It’s fine. We just need to stick to the purpose. Thank you for your hard work.”

[Are you thanking me after telling me to rest all the time? Isn’t that cruel, Colonel?]

Miss Banetta said teasingly.

“I believed you would manage it, Miss Banetta.”

[Suddenly praising me? Still, I’ll take it since it sounds good. In return, prepare yourself for a hug later.]

Miss Banetta wiggled her hands around playfully.

Seeing this, I replied with a bitter smile.

“Yes, understood.”

[Alright, then I’ll place these things in the designated positions. Are you also departing, Edu?]

“Yes, that’s right.”

[Alright, let’s meet again at the forward base when all this is over!]

The communication from Miss Banetta cut off.

Next, a striking woman with red hair and a wild aura appeared on the holographic screen.

Miss Freya.

[Edu, are all preparations complete? Our side is all set.]

Hearing that, I slightly turned my head to look at Sita who gave a nod signaling affirmation with a slightly tense expression on her face.

“We are ready as well.”

[Alright then, let’s begin.]

“Alright!”

Freya cleared her throat.

Her voice then reverberated throughout the forward base and all the ships.

[This is the commander-in-chief from the flagship. Starting from this very moment, Operation White Wings begins.]

A brief silence.

Freya’s eyes slowly closed.

[For a long time, difficulties have stood in our way, demanding patience. But! We are here now, having overcome all that!]

She took a breath, and her eyes opened slowly.

These eyes were filled with resolution and courage.

[Do not fear moving forward! This operation is not only the first offensive but also the prelude to our counterattack. It will be our stepping stone to a hopeful future!]

Freya’s hand extended high into the air.

[Let us move forward together! All ships, set sail!]

– Waahhhhhh!!!

The roar was loud enough to pierce through the thick armor of the ships.

The scene of soldiers on the ground responding enthusiastically could be seen through the external cameras, and a surge of warmth rose within me.

Ships lifting off one by one.

Watching them, Sita spoke to me.

“Sister, please give the order.”

“Understood, Iason, set sail!”

“Iason, set sail!”

Following my words, Iason responded.

[Ship propulsion started, beginning ascent.]

A light tremor occurred, and the view slowly changed as Iason ascended into the sky.

“Jack, please proceed in this direction.”

“Alright.”

Jack maneuvered the ship using the controls.

“Edward, how’s the armament status?”

“All green! Ready for use at any moment!”

Edward replied, pushing up his glasses.

“Nisia, are communications normal?”

“Yes, there are no issues.”

After the checks were complete, Seoli approached me and looked up.

Her fingers in her mouth, her bright eyes made me want to bite them gently.

“Mommy, can I go too?”

“Come here.”

“Uh-huh!”

As soon as I spread my arms wide, Seoli climbed onto the command seat energetically.

I wrapped her small body in my arms, and Seoli grinned broadly.

“Mommy, you’re warm!”

“Is that so?”

“Yes! I feel happy!”

“Good.”

Patting. Patting.

While stroking Seoli’s head, I held her tightly in both arms.

Alright, this feels perfect now.

“Then let’s begin our operation, too!”

….

In the darkness, Gelang regained consciousness.

“Where am I? I was in the middle of negotiations…”

Trying to focus and recall past events, but his thoughts were foggy and blurred.

Confused by this phenomenon, Gelang concentrated his nerves.

At that moment, something abruptly appeared in front of him.

A spherical object.

However, beneath it, there were unpleasantly wriggling worm-like creatures.

At the center of the sphere was a concave pit, and within it were two eyes, shining brightly and staring at him.

That repugnant face strongly resembled someone Gelang hated very much.

“Rigertha?”

The moment he thought of the creature’s name, its large mouth opened as if responding to his thoughts.

From that gaping mouth—

“After all, the Royal Guard Fleet and the subsequent fleets will arrive soon!! Until then, you should be able to hold on…”

Memories of the past surfaced simultaneously with the voice.

No, you bastards!

“Shut the hell up?!?”

Gelang’s body shot up abruptly.

“Admiral! Are you alright?”

“Captain? Where am I— Ugh!”

Turning his head at the voice beside him, Gelang clutched his head in pain from the piercing headache.

“Lie down Admiral, you’re not fully recovered yet.”

The captain of the flagship said that while gently helping Gelang lie down again.

“No, now’s not the time for that. How did the negotiations go…!”

“…”

“What is it? Speak, damn it!”

Sighing deeply at Gelang’s prompting, the captain finally began.

“The negotiations… ended fruitlessly after you lost consciousness…”

Bang.

Gelang punched the bed in frustration.

“You pieces of shi—!”

“Calm down, Admiral, or you’ll collapse again.”

“Damn… Damn… damn…”

Gelang regulated his breathing.

At that moment, without any warning, the infirmary door opened, and an alien ran in.

“Admiral! Captain! It’s bad news!!”

“The Admiral is resting. What’s all the commotion about?”

“Please watch this footage!!”

The captain, who was handed a portable terminal, reached out to look at it first, but Gelang grabbed his wrist.

“Admiral?”

“If it’s an emergency, let’s watch it together.”

“…Understood.”

The captain turned slightly to make it easier for Gelang to see and began playback of the footage.

As the video played, a familiar face appeared on the screen shortly thereafter.

A native organism with long, white fur from this planet.

Its appearance was definitely that of the representative of the native organisms Gelang had encountered during these negotiations.

[Do we have to repeat this? Honestly, I can’t see your face, but anyway… since this is footage destined for the admiral, it’s all the same. ]

The speech started without any regard for protocol.

[Since we don’t have much time, I’ll get straight to the point.]

In the next moment, the native organism disappeared as suddenly as it had come, and the screen changed.

“Th-is is…!”

The astonished captain.

Gelang’s tendrils and body trembled with palpable anxiety.

On the screen, their fellow aliens were shown, their numbers so great it was hard to count them. They were kneeled on the wildlands, restrained.

And surrounding them were peculiar, abnormally thick bands that connected to an unknown device.

The screen zoomed in on the device, revealing a timer slowly counting down.

“What is this—”

[These here are the remnants of your captured Third Interstellar Armada… but since they’ve been merely consuming food without serving any further purpose, it’s about time to dispose of them.]

The screen changed again.

The familiar native organism appeared once more.

[But it would be dangerous to just set such nasty invaders free, right?]

The ominous low rumble that followed.

The captain swallowed hard in reaction to the threatening ambiance.

[Which is why we took the necessary precautions. Let’s see… approximately three hours from now, these captives will no longer be so.]

“…”

[Still, I am a merciful being, so here’s the minimal hint I can offer. Well then, see you!]

The video stopped, and a heavy silence followed.

Gelang and his captain exchanged glances.

“What was that about ‘a hint’?”

“A map was sent along with the video, but it’s unclear where specifically it’s pointing to…”

“…Prepare the fleet.”

“Admiral?”

The captain turned his eyes to Gelang.

“There’s no choice for us. The fact they sent us, not the First Interstellar Armada, these contents means they’ve grasped our situation.”

“…But surely, that’s a predictable trap, isn’t it?”

The captain’s words met with a nod from Gelang.

“I understand. It doesn’t sit well to fall prey to such a predictable move, but at the moment, each soldier is precious to us, isn’t it?”

The captain fell silent upon hearing Gelang’s words.

Soon, the captain nodded.

“…You’re right. Admiral, I’ll gather all available ships, excluding those in the frontlines.”

“Hmm.”