154: Are you originalists?

Two days later.

On Planet 2 of the target star system, in a vast desert,

a lizard-like creature was basking on a roadside rock, enjoying the sunlight.

Suddenly, a dark shadow shot past, and the stirred dust covered the lizard entirely.

Two figures wrapped in large white robes were riding a rather crude-looking motorcycle, speeding along a barely discernible road.

Indeed, these two were White Shark and Baili Ying, who had just landed here.

(Lizard: Speak for me!)

As for why these two were dressed like this and where they were going now,

that story begins two days ago.

That day, two FG300s equipped with Void Bubble Engines successfully emerged from the void in the asteroid belt here.

As soon as they landed, they immediately went into stealth mode, fearing that any potential defenders might kick them to death like roadside litter.

So they waited for nearly several hours, and then—

Nothing happened.

After secretly deploying spy satellites to scout the entire star system and collect data, White Shark realized that this place was not what he had imagined:

There were no strict defenses, no massive industrial structures,

not even slightly larger space architecture.

No, it wasn't that there weren't any, but rather that they were already ruined—at the L3, L4, and L5 setting points, large amounts of debris and wreckage floated.

Those remnants looked like they had been eroded by ion winds and rogue celestial bodies for a long time, their surfaces dull and pockmarked.

It was estimated that in a short while, they would turn back into high-purity metal ore.

The only space architecture in the entire star system that appeared to be still operational was the terminal Starport of a space elevator on Planet 4,

and a small space station at the L1 setting point that could be seen through at a glance.

Later, he tried to use the ship's onboard human-machine AI to hack into the local network to get detailed intelligence.

However, the network here couldn't even withstand a probing feint attack.

All its defenses were stripped away directly, exposing all its information.

White Shark then realized: there was no need for him to hide at all.

The only effective observation method here was optical observation.

And optical stealth?

White Shark said that even he could fabricate metamaterial optical stealth coatings covering most of the spectrum with the ship's nanomachines.

But among a host of wide-open servers, one city's server appeared exceptionally "stubborn."

Not only was it impossible to infiltrate, but it also attempted to counterattack, directly causing one of the FG300's onboard auxiliary AIs to completely crash.

Someone, he didn't know who, once said: when everyone is caught in the rain, the one holding an umbrella is the most conspicuous.

Coupled with references to the confessions of those Saint members, White Shark immediately concluded: there was a high probability that this place housed the production equipment for those nanomachines.

He immediately decided on the method of action:

Why be secretive? Come, let me see!

Charge straight in!

Thus, twelve action team members split into 6 groups, flying with long exhaust trails towards what the natives considered a Holy City—

Baghdad.

At this time, on the road.

"Hey, Salted Fish, trash fish, stinky fish, can't you go faster?"

From the back seat of the motorcycle, Baili Ying leaned weakly against White Shark's back, shouting feebly.

White Shark glanced at the dashboard and replied speechlessly, shouting:

"Is it possible that we're already speeding at 270 kph? Any faster and we'll crash and die!"

But after shouting, he still twisted the throttle in his hand again, quietly increasing the speed to 280.

The shouts, mixed with the wild wind, poured into Baili Ying's ears, making her face crumple.

Now, her mind was full of resentment towards the natives of this planet:

Why are these clothes so thick?!

Two hours later,

Finally, as the motorcycle crossed another sand dune, a massive earthen-yellow wall appeared in their vision, growing larger and taller.

Eventually, the two reached the base of this giant wall.

A roadblock was set up at the edge of the wall, where several soldiers, carrying what could be called antique firearms, were checking people entering the city one by one.

Seeing that it was almost their turn in the queue, White Shark gently patted Baili Ying awake on his back, then slowly drove towards the checkpoint.

A guard quickly came over and stopped him.

"Sir, may I ask the purpose of your visit to the Holy City?"

White Shark said with a tired expression:

"We were members of a road transport team and were attacked by unknown forces in this area."

"Our large transport was stolen. I took advantage of the chaos to grab this motorcycle and escape."

Groups of five or more people entering the Holy City require a special entry permit, which is why they came up with this method.

The ship's AI had already inserted their prepared identities into various official websites here to ensure authenticity.

Soon, the guard finished querying the information, and then his gaze towards White Shark held a hint of sympathy.

"Mr. White Snake from the Rattlesnake Group Transport Department, is that right?"

"We deeply sympathize with your experience. Do you need us to apply for assistance services for you?"

White Shark shook his head, took the outstretched hand of the guard, shook it up and down twice, and discreetly slipped something into it.

He said:

"Officer, I can still afford a hotel here, but my companion is injured. Could you please let us enter the city first? I need to take her to a doctor."

The guard was stunned. He squeezed his sleeve, then quickly pulled out the item inside and put it back into White Shark's arms.

"No, no, sir, you can go in first."

"And please do not give me this wealth that you urgently need."

"If giving them to me causes you to fall into a difficult life, then my soul will never be pure again."

"The lord of the sand sea is watching over all of us."

"Please take your companion for medical attention as soon as possible."

"May the lord of the sand sea forever protect you and his soul."

White Shark was taken aback, then thanked him and put away the small package in his arms.

However, at that very moment, Baili Ying turned her head, revealing her tightly wrapped head.

Immediately, the soldier, who had been amiable a second ago, took down the rifle from his shoulder, pointed it at White Shark, and shouted nervously:

"Get out of the car! Put your hands where I can see them!"

"Call for backup! Call for backup!"

"Area B, A19 entrance, suspected Fundamentalists have appeared!"

Then, to Baili Ying's and White Shark's utter bewilderment—

The two were surrounded by a group of soldiers... An hour later.

"So, little sister, I'm confirming with you one last time: you weren't controlled by that White Snake, and your attire is truly your personal choice?"

A female counselor with a strange expression patiently held Baili Ying's hand, repeating a question that had already been asked dozens of times.

Only after Baili Ying confirmed it again did the woman walk out.

Outside was a man in a military officer's uniform. The counselor walked over, shrugged, and said:

"I've asked many times, using both direct and indirect methods, straight and roundabout."

"That girl really seems to be willing."

The officer was also shocked:

"No way? Are there still such conservative girls these days?"

The counselor shrugged and said:

"Perhaps their relationship is really good."

"It was a false alarm. Just educate them about the dangers of fundamentalism, and then let them go."

"Recently, those madmen have been quite rampant, and the guards at the gate are a bit nervous."

The officer nodded.

"Do that. Remember to compensate the guard who made the wrong arrest, otherwise his soul will be stained."

The counselor nodded.

"Understood."

Watching the counselor walk away, the officer sighed—

There was nothing to be done; it wasn't that they were too neurotic.

In such hot weather, wrapping one's entire face with such thick cloth, in the eyes of any normal person, truly only fundamentalist fanatics would do such a thing.

Moreover, the Day of Heroes' Return, which happens once every five years, was approaching soon—

His duty absolutely would not allow those fundamentalist fanatics to cause trouble at this critical juncture!

He shook his head, his eyes once again firm.