127: How did the alien get into the void?

(Two in One)

...Half an hour later, at the Void Channel node of Tianjin Seat V89.05,

the fleet had basically finished assembling.

The 9-89 Border Legion, also known as the Guardian Angel Legion, sent over the combat experience they had summarized over the past three years.

That group of Xenos was actually not strong—

The strength of their Warships was only enough to trade blows with newly built Warships, their ammunition was not abundant, and tactically, they preferred Boarding Actions.

There were even reports showing that the original Legion Warships they had stolen were seen on the battlefield.

What truly gave the 9-89th Legion a massive headache was that these Xenos appeared and disappeared unpredictably, and as soon as they realized they couldn't win, they immediately scattered and vanished completely.

This was like ancient feudal dynasties facing nomads—it wasn't that they couldn't win, but that they couldn't find them, couldn't capture them, and couldn't locate the main force for a decisive battle.

These cunning Xenos, in the eyes of the 9-89th Legion,

were a small, incredibly sharp knife that couldn't deliver a killing blow but kept slicing meat off the Tianjin Seat V89 region, with every cut eroding the vitality of the Legion.

The Legion could only continuously evacuate personnel, burn down key facilities, and detonate star markers,

using Scorched-Earth Tactics to constantly buy survival time and seek a way to break the deadlock.

After reading this report and sighing at the difficulties faced by the Legion,

Xi Hai let out a heavy sigh—

These Xenos were absolutely detestable!

How dare they infringe upon humanity's sacred living space!

We must strike hard!

"Report! All units are in position!"

"Guardian Angel Legion assistance force command is synchronized!"

Several reports came in; everyone was ready,

so—

"Enter the Void Channel!"

"All forces advance!"

...Almost simultaneously, those Xeno Warships encapsulated in Void Bubbles,

were distinctly different from the mainstream human aesthetic of "sharp-edged" heavy industry, featuring soft, distorted curves.

Numerous turrets and missile silos were haphazardly scattered across them, making them look forcibly cobbled together.

(Looking closely, one could see they were indeed forcibly cobbled together, as even the models were standard issue from the Imperial Navy.)

At this moment, in the conference room of the largest Warship among them—

Two groups of "people" sat opposite each other.

Sitting at the head were ugly Xenos. Their body structure was similar to humans, consisting of four limbs plus a head;

only their skin was a nauseating dark green, covered with large and small bumps;

Their hands and feet were shorter and stubbier compared to humans, and their torsos were incredibly massive.

(Reference image: Bogang)

Sitting below were humans wearing the uniforms of the Imperial Tax Administration Department.

The Xenos on the platform wore military uniforms imitating humans, yet they lacked any sense of majesty or oppression, appearing utterly ridiculous like a monkey dressed in a hat.

The most ridiculous among them was the one seated in the main position—he had draped himself in military uniform decorations: sashes, medals, service stripes, armbands... It claimed these were spoils of war it had captured, but anyone with eyes knew no one would wear medals into battle—especially since that pile of medals included several Posthumous Decorations reserved only for martyrs.

However, the Imperial Tax Administration Department personnel below showed no trace of mockery; instead, their faces were filled with obedience and flattery.

There was no helping it—rather than a meeting, this was more like an interrogation—

"Esteemed General Grulal, you must trust the sincerity of the Imperial Tax Administration Department,"

"This accident was absolutely malicious sabotage by someone with ill intentions."

"Our cooperation has lasted for three years; how could we easily break our promise?"

Below the platform, the Taxation Department Section Chief was offering a forced smile, bowing low, and explaining obsequiously to the Xeno on the platform.

The Xeno Leader, named Grulal, merely stared with gloomy eyes at the group of humans in black uniforms.

Its Adjutant immediately understood. It stepped forward and spoke haughtily in the Human Common Tongue:

"You pieces of trash who would betray your own kin for so-called profit,"

"Wouldn't you unhesitatingly sell out your shady partners?"

The Taxation Department Section Chief below stiffened.

How dare these damn Xenos be so merciless?

It was thanks entirely to the Imperial Tax Administration Department's favor that these Xenos managed to establish a foothold here!

Otherwise? A mere Wandering Fleet cut off from its rear, even if it held some relic from the third era, would still have to kneel before the Imperial Navy and sing praises of surrender—

It was just a Void Bubble Engine from a few previous eras; surely the Imperial Navy had those too?

Cursing silently, but needing to survive, the Section Chief continued his fawning explanation:

"General, your Adjutant must have some misunderstanding about us,"

"Look, for the past three years, we've been helping you cut off all distress communications from that 89th Legion,"

"Furthermore, wasn't it thanks to our intelligence that you were able to capture eight Industrial Worlds at such a small cost?"

"Our cooperation is flourishing and thriving; how could we possibly betray you?"

The Xeno Adjutant immediately raised a hand to interrupt,

Then, it writhed its disgusting Mouthparts, still speaking the Human Common Tongue:

"By your logic, should I thank a small fry like you?"

"Let me tell you! Even if that ridiculous Legion calls in ridiculous reinforcements, we have no fear!"

"Those eight Industrial Worlds were won by my warriors! It was their achievement, not yours!"

"If you can't provide an explanation today, you'll be thrown into the pile of Livestock! You'll share their fate!"

Looking at the aggressive Xeno on the platform, the Section Chief felt both powerless and furious—

Powerless, because this "partner" clearly wouldn't listen to his explanation,

and furious, directed at the 9-89th Legion—

If it weren't for these damn Bumpkins who didn't understand any rules, why would they have gone to such lengths to team up with the Xenos!

Couldn't those Lowlifes just honestly pay their taxes?

Those Bumpkins were something else; they wouldn't allow the use of violence and claimed the tax rate couldn't exceed seventy percent of total income.

What did they know! The entire Empire ran on the Taxation Department!

If they didn't collect full taxes, where would their supplies come from? Although their supplies were indeed embezzled by the Taxation Department, that was for the sake of the Empire! For their sake!

Using Warships to clear the way was to prevent early escape; destroying homes and tearing down houses was to ensure there was no illegal hidden wealth; and Decimation—that was to give those Lowlifes a chance to report each other!

The Taxation Department only used a few simple methods like these, yet they were treated as mortal enemies? And desperately obstructed?

Unfortunately, the Imperial Navy and the Taxation Department were of equal rank, and superiors ignored their communications. If they were to fight the Imperial Navy... even if it was a completely marginal fleet, as long as one person knew that "Tax Police killed a Navy unit," the Military Brass above would absolutely not let them off the hook.

After all, the Imperial Communications Department just didn't want to deal with the reports below; they weren't blind.

To guarantee their tax quota, the Tax Police first disguised themselves as or supported small-scale Pirates, and then teamed up with small groups of harassing Xenos—

Until three years ago, this specific Xeno fleet, while evading pursuit from the Military Alliance, stumbled into a Major Branch of the Taxation Department.

The two sides immediately hit it off. The Taxation Department provided cover for the Xenos, and the Xenos cooperated with the Taxation Department to burn, kill, and plunder in Tianjin Seat V89, then split the profits with the Taxation Department.

Originally, this time should have been the same—

But who knew that damn Imperial Navy actually managed to wait for reinforcements?

Moreover, this group of Xenos seemed to subtly show signs of wanting to break free from control?

"General, please..."

The Section Chief suppressed his thoughts and continued explaining,

"Shut up." But Grulal, who was called General, irritably waved an arm, cutting him off.

"Even if this time was an accident, what about next time?"

"Even if you cooperate with us, you can't be wholeheartedly devoted to us."

"You want to survive, but our warriors also need an explanation!"

Saying this, it rubbed its chin as if thinking,

The Section Chief quickly stated:

"What kind of explanation is required?"

"If it will put your mind at ease, we will do our best."

Hearing this, Grulal clapped its massive hands and laughed:

"Haha! Since you've said so, I'll give you this chance!"

Then, it turned its head to look at a Xeno behind it, who was also covered in trinkets, and said:

"Bring out those two, yes, those two special pieces of Livestock you just saw, the ones from the Warship we just captured! Bring them out!"

Watching the Xenos on the platform suddenly grin menacingly,

the Taxation Department personnel below felt a sense of foreboding flash through their hearts.

Soon, that foreboding was confirmed—

Four Xenos escorted two humanoid figures onto the platform.

They were wearing tattered First-Generation Imperial Navy Uniforms, and their arms above the wrist had been severed, leaving only rough bandaging.

Judging by their skeletons, they were a male and a female; judging by their faces, they were both young.

They were tied to two chairs.

Grulal on the platform said smugly:

"These are two special individuals among the captives we just took. We have already taken measures to prevent them from committing suicide,"

"From your perspective... I think you call them... mates? Hahahaha!"

"Now, they are yours."

"Use them to put on a show for all the warriors present!"

"We will record the entire thing. If you ever have any second thoughts in the future, hahaha"

"As long as you satisfy us, you pass the test!"

"This way, we gain pleasure and assurance, and you get to live,"

"Isn't this the win-win situation you always strive for? Haha!"

The few Taxation Department members below were stunned, not understanding what it was saying,

But the Section Chief had already reacted. He looked at the Xeno Leader on the platform.

"What exactly counts as satisfying you??"

Grulal rubbed its fingers together and said:

"Let us smell despair and pain. Let us witness betrayal and degradation."

After receiving the clarification, the Section Chief walked straight toward the two people who had been brought up.

They were already awake, seeing a group of humans in Taxation Department uniforms surrounding them, while several Xenos sat high up on the platform.

The boy among them looked at the Section Chief walking toward him, took a deep breath—

"Pah!"

A mouthful of bloody spit sprayed onto the Section Chief's face.

At the same time, a hoarse curse came from the other side:

"Xenos! heretics! Traitors!"

Looking at that immature yet resolute face,

The Section Chief immediately slapped him, producing a sharp crack.

"You are the traitors!"

"If you had just let those Lowlifes honestly pay their taxes, wouldn't all this trouble have been avoided!"

The boy turned his head, staring fixedly at him, his voice weak but resounding.

"When I wasn't a soldier, you tore down my house and killed my family.

If I become a soldier and still let you do this, then I've served in vain."

"You—

Fine! I knew you were a bunch of Rebels!"

The Section Chief immediately flew into a rage.

"Listen to me, I'm giving you two choices—"

"Right now, your little girlfriend—she is, isn't she?"

"She is right there,"

"And on the other side are the filthy Xenos you spoke of!"

"I can give you one chance,"

"Go swear allegiance to that Xi... General Grulal over there!"

"Otherwise, you watch as..."

Saying this, he tightened his face and waved toward the surrounding Xeno Soldiers,

But they didn't move—

Grulal on the platform raised its dirty, massive hand.

"Did you just call us Xenos?"

The Section Chief's face changed drastically, and he immediately knelt down.

"No, General!"

"This... this is..."

But Grulal continued:

"Do not explain. An explanation is a cover-up."

"Now, I've changed my mind."

"Before my warriors completely lose patience, if I don't see what we want—"

"Your despair is also despair."

The two people tied in the middle, hearing these few sentences in broken Human Common Tongue and seeing the Tax Officials looking at each other, burst into manic laughter:

"Hahahahahahaha!!! heretics!! Your Xeno daddy doesn't want you anymore!!"

"Hahahahaha!!! Did you hear that!! This is what happens when you become traitors!!"

Several Taxation Department people were scared by this sudden turn of events,

But when they saw the Xenos draw their knives with a *shua* sound, they immediately snapped out of their paralysis—

"Shut up! You two Rebels!"

A rain of clubs, fists, and feet... those frantic Tax Officials raised everything they held and smashed it onto the two captives.

The crunching sound of bone mixed with human cries, but Grulal on the platform frowned in dissatisfaction.

"They are still laughing! What are you doing!"

Simultaneously, the Xenos holding daggers that gleamed with cold light collectively took a step forward.

Instantly, those frantic Tax Officials were scared out of their wits, and their actions became even more frenzied.

"Wait, everyone!"

"This is useless! Listen to me if you want to live!"

The Section Chief gasped, stopping his subordinates who were madly beating the two captives. He pushed through the crowd and walked to the very center.

He looked at the boy, though he was rewarded with another mouthful of bloody spit.

But he was not discouraged. He grinned maliciously and pointed to the other person tied beside the boy.

"You care about her a lot, don't you?"

"Do you want to merge with her?"

Saying this, he squeezed the boy's shoulder,

and lifted the arm that was bent at an unnatural angle.

Under the gaze of murderous intent, the Section Chief said word by word:

"You all, tear it off."

Subsequently, chased by the constantly approaching aura of death behind them, the zombie-like Tax Officials immediately swarmed forward—

Heaving chests, tears streaming from eyes, and incredibly vicious curses intertwined,

Loyalty and betrayal, calm and madness mingled,

The Xenos on the platform just stared at this farce, their disgusting mouths slowly stretching into a terrifying grin.

"Lulululululululu... (Humans themselves... are truly interesting...)"

...At this moment, inside the Void Channel,

Xi Hai was looking strangely at several Warships that had inexplicably cut into the path ahead of the channel.

They seemed capable of navigating directly in the void? Was that thanks to the bubble covering the Warship?

"Xeno Warship!"

"Boarding Actions!"

Before Xi Hai could react, a modified norma m470 painted red suddenly accelerated in his view, rushing toward the largest enemy vessel.

Are those people from the Guardian Angel Legion?

It seems necessary to talk to them about following orders when they return.

But now that the battle has started,

Follow first, talk later!

"Attention all! Open fire at will! All boarding forces concentrate on seizing the Enemy Flagship! Cover the Guardian Angel Legion!"

"Exterminate the Xenos!"

Over the comms, every vessel immediately answered loudly:

"Yes!!!"

However, looking at that red silhouette... how did he recall that he hadn't equipped the Guardian Angel Legion with the norma m470 yet?

...(This chapter includes a bonus update for the reward given by the great master, Ye Xie Who Loves Eating Homemade Wontons, on 9.25.)

(Currently owes 18 chapters)