First Battlefield Commander! - Chapter 204
Chapter 204: Candor
From the map's perspective, the target location was most likely in a downtown area.
Everyone looked at Lian Sheng, waiting for her decision.
Zhao Zhuoluo shook his head, withdrew his gaze, and said, "How about we vote? Majority rules."
Lian Sheng made the call directly: "Let's go. Our information sources are limited, and we've waited over half a month with no progress. The port's surveillance is tight—they've never stopped watching us. Who knows when we'll get intel like this again?"
It was unclear how many police forces Gelen had deployed here, or if it was because Cornell's identity was special when accompanying her, but whenever they went out, it felt like they were under constant surveillance.
Zhou Shirui hesitated: "Could this be the enemy testing us? Deliberately pulling people away to see if there are spies inside."
Lian Sheng: "There's always danger. I believe everyone is prepared. We won't bite every hook thrown at us. Once we're there, stay cautious and act according to circumstances. Don't casually engage with strangers. Before taking action, check in with each other first."
Everyone nodded. They took their optical computers, confirmed the signals were normal, and prepared to leave.
"Wait. We can't just go out like this," Lian Sheng stopped them. "Someone must be watching us constantly. If we leave immediately after something happens, wouldn't that seem suspicious?"
Lu Mingyuan: "Then what should we do?"
Lian Sheng looked at Cornell: "Make a call. Have someone pick us up."
Cornell dug out the business card his agent had given him earlier. Luckily, he wasn't one to throw things away carelessly.
Lian Sheng dialed the contact number on the card. The first two calls went unanswered. Undeterred, she kept calling until it connected.
Finally, someone picked up, their tone unfriendly: "Who is it? No time for tours, contact my assistant if you have business, not hiring, no raises—anything else?"
Cornell: "..."
The agent roared: "What the hell? Speak if you have something to say!"
Lian Sheng sighed: "Ah, I'm calling for Cornell. Never mind."
The volume on the other end jumped several decibels as the agent shrieked: "No no no! Don't hang up! My mistake entirely! Say whatever you want, take your time!"
Lian Sheng handed the optical computer to Cornell. Then, using Zhou Shirui's map, she pointed out several locations around the suspicious central area.
Cornell had learned some basic characters by now and understood her meaning: "She wants to visit the toy district. I'd like to buy an optical computer..."
Agent: "Yes yes yes! You want a new optical computer? I'll get you the latest model!"
"Somewhere with convenient transportation—we need to return tonight," Cornell continued. "Preferably near a large shopping center. She said there are daily necessities to buy."
The agent was shocked: "She makes you handle such things too?"
Cornell: "Who else would do it?"
"Uh..." The agent said, "I know the port area best. I'll take you there myself. Wait for me."
After hanging up, everyone waited patiently.
The agent likely had to come from downtown. Before he arrived, the vehicles marked on the map also stopped moving.
Zhou Shirui confirmed: "Central district."
Lian Sheng nodded.
Before long, the agent finally arrived.
The group shouldered their bags and followed him downstairs.
As they reached the roadside, Lian Sheng loudly asked: "Where are you taking us?"
"Central district! They have everything there—fun stuff you'll love!" the agent said. "I'll guide you for free. I know people there who can get you discounts. Just have Cornell take some photos with me."
Lian Sheng said: "Sure."
The agent led them to his car and drove toward the downtown area.
Before entering the central streets, the navigation system warned of checkpoints ahead causing traffic.
The agent tapped the control panel, switching to autopilot, and complained: "Checkpoints again? Haven't they been too frequent lately?"
Lian Sheng frowned: "Gelen is too chaotic. Everyone in this car is either a student from the 14th District or a retired Alliance soldier—will we be okay?"
"With Brother Tom here, what could go wrong?" the agent said. "The port has looser entry requirements and is more open—chaos is normal here. That's why security is extra tight. As long as you've done nothing wrong, there's nothing to fear."
The checkpoint didn't take long. They took photos and ran scans. If the car owner matched the records and no suspicious passengers were detected, they were let through.
The agent asked: "What did you say you wanted to buy again?"
Lian Sheng said: "We'll see what's good when we get there."
Zhou Shirui, sitting in the back, stared at the positioning map on his optical computer and asked: "First, is there an arcade around here?"
"Of course there is." The agent glanced at the navigation and detoured to Zhou Shirui's marked location.
Zhou Shirui got out. The agent asked: "You're going to the arcade? What about the rest of you?"
Lian Sheng and the others opened their doors: "We'll look around nearby first."
Zhou Shirui pulled Lu Mingyuan and Ji Ban along, heading straight for the neighboring arcade. Lian Sheng wandered the surrounding streets with the remaining group.
They strolled slowly down one street, lingering at every spot to look around.
The agent following behind finally couldn't take it anymore: "Are you messing with me? Is this how you shop? Want to sleep on the streets tonight?"
Harry said: "Never seen these things before—what's wrong with looking?"
Agent: "Fine, whatever. But shouldn't you buy what you need first? What about Cornell's optical computer?"
Cornell: "I'm not in a hurry."
The agent fumed: "I am!"
As they argued, several black-clad men hurried past them into a shop ahead.
Lian Sheng's eyes lit up. She pointed: "Let's check that place out."
"A nightclub?" The agent grabbed Harry. "Is he even an adult?"
Harry: "...Probably?"
Everyone: "..."
Lian Sheng: "The arcade welcomes you."
Harry snorted and went to join Zhou Shirui's group.
The others had never been to a nightclub before. Before they reached the age for such revelry, they'd been drafted into the military.
Upon entering, the agent dragged Cornell toward the crowded area, trying to separate from Lian Sheng.
Though Cornell didn't look particularly sturdy, his strength was undeniable—no ordinary person could move him. He glanced at Lian Sheng, and when she nodded, he reluctantly followed the agent.
Lian Sheng rubbed her nose and chased after the black-clad figures, pushing deeper inside.
Zhao Zhuoluo and the others, being tall and broad, weren't as agile as her. Forcing their way through would draw attention, so they slowly made for the central bar.
The club was packed and dimly lit. Lian Sheng squinted, uncertain.
Soon, the black-clad men left without finding what they sought.
Annoyed, Lian Sheng squeezed up to Zhao Zhuoluo, pulled out her optical computer, and sent a message under her sleeve: "They're searching for someone, but it's unclear who."
Zhao Zhuoluo said: "Definitely not General Barite."
General Barite was too old to blend in with these young people. Besides, how could he possibly end up in such a state? He'd brought his personal guard.
Fang Jianchen replied in the group chat: "And he's not here. The searchers just left."
Lian Sheng said: "The port has many suspicious characters. Maybe we're being overly cautious."
The group felt somewhat deflated.
For their first proactive operation, everyone had been tense and alert. Fang Jianchen, afraid of making mistakes, had stayed silent the entire way.
When they set out, they'd imagined all sorts of dramatic scenarios, only to find it had nothing to do with them. The anticlimax was crushing.
The music blared around them. In no mood for small talk, they stood out like sore thumbs in the club.
After finishing their drinks, they prepared to leave. But as they turned, they saw the black-clad men reappear at the entrance.
Their barely lifted backsides quickly returned to their seats.
Fang Jianchen said: "What's going on? A feigned retreat? Is there more?"
Minutes later, new messages popped up in the group chat.
"Brother Dao just sent word," Lu Mingyuan said. "He says the downtown situation might be internal Gelen issues—they're chasing an escapee. He told us not to go."
Lian Sheng: "..."
Lu Mingyuan: "Don't worry, I already told him it's too late."
Zhou Shirui asked: "Should we head back now?"
Lian Sheng said: "Yes. I'll get Cornell."
Lian Sheng left to retrieve Cornell.
Surrounded by the agent and a crowd, shouting was pointless. Lian Sheng had to rely on her agility to push through.
Midway, someone suddenly grabbed her arm.
Lian Sheng turned to see a man slightly taller than her, hunched with a large hood covering half his face. He slowly lifted his head to meet her eyes.
It was the young man she'd played chess with before.
Lian Sheng tried to shake him off but failed. Irritated, she said: "Hey, what are you doing? Let go."
The young man opened his palm, angling it slightly to show her the bloodstain there. In the dim light, the red appeared almost black.
Startled, Lian Sheng glanced behind her.
He leaned close to her ear and whispered: "I know you're an Alliance student."
Lian Sheng: "And?"
"I'm from Gelen, but not General Barite's faction." The young man said. "If you don't want to be exposed, do as I say."
Lian Sheng tilted her head, smirking at him.
The young man said: "Come with me. Help me save someone."
Lian Sheng said darkly: "How amusing."
The young man said: "I'll distract them—you seize the chance to leave. There's no time to negotiate with your superiors, but we're truly not enemies."
When Lian Sheng didn't react, he tightened his grip.
Lian Sheng pulled out her optical computer and typed one-handed: "Zhuoluo, follow me. Fang Jianchen, get Cornell and have him put on an earpiece to follow my orders."
Zhao Zhuoluo and the others exchanged confused glances but obeyed.
The young man dragged Lian Sheng toward the club's edge, turning into a storage room beside the men's restroom.
The hallway was brighter. Lian Sheng looked down and saw bloodstains on the hem of his dark clothes—though it seemed the injured party wasn't him.
Zhao Zhuoluo and the others soon joined them.
The young man had already moved a cabinet blocking the wall. He pushed against what appeared to be solid wall, revealing a hidden door.
The men's restroom was next door. Through the thin walls, they could faintly hear running water.
Lian Sheng clicked her tongue silently and stepped inside.
The young man followed, closing the door behind them.
They exited the club through the passageway. The sudden night breeze sent chills down their spines.
It was fully dark now.
The club's back faced a hotel. Isolated from the main streets and overshadowed by the club, the area was desolate.
The young man led them around to the hotel's side, crouching behind a wall.
"Room 310." The young man handed them a keycard. "Since you're here, you must have an exit strategy. How many reinforcements do you have outside? You must get him out safely."
Lian Sheng took the card and asked: "Though this question is late—who are you?"
The young man pressed his lips together.
Lian Sheng: "You must know your threats are worthless. When a Gelen soldier asks the Alliance for help, he's already desperate. In that case, why not be honest? We might find common ground."
"No time for explanations. I'm a Gelen recruit." The young man said. "Save the person inside. I'll draw their pursuit."
He handed Lian Sheng his optical computer: "For communication."
Lian Sheng gave him her number. They put on earpieces, activated anti-jamming, and confirmed the connection.
As the young man turned to leave, Lian Sheng casually remarked: "What if we report you midway...?"
The young man whirled back, glaring: "Then I'll blow up the entire club."
Lian Sheng: "Hey, those are Gelen civilians inside. You're threatening me with them?"
Young man: "Relax—by then, I'll be an Alliance operative."
"Say what you want. Your threats are as intimidating as a pufferfish." Lian Sheng scoffed. "The Alliance is prepared for war. Your bluff means nothing."
Lian Sheng raised her optical computer: "You have one minute to explain. Or keep haggling and making empty threats. But until I confirm your identity, I won't comply with any demands."
The young man said: "Then why did you follow me out?"
"With so many people in the club, who knows if you'd lash out? Here..." Lian Sheng counted off. "It's four against one, friend."
The young man's expression shifted uncertainly.
Lian Sheng: "I know you're nervous—people don't think straight when stressed. Don't try to fool me. Honesty is your best option."
After a brief internal struggle, the young man finally admitted: "I'm from Fengse City."
Lian Sheng turned to the others: "Where's Fengse City?"
Zhao Zhuoluo whispered: "A resource zone Gelen seized. It's probably declared bankrupt by now."
Lian Sheng: "...A whole region can go bankrupt?"
"Of course. The locals lose citizenship. If a major nation accepts them, they become a dependent territory. Otherwise, they become interstellar drifters until they regain formal status—left to fend for themselves." Zhao Zhuoluo explained. "Gelen was originally formed by drifters who forcibly took Kafa's designation. Only after establishing a government did they become a sovereign nation."
The young man stared at Lian Sheng, momentarily questioning his life choices: "You're supposedly... a top student?"
Lian Sheng snapped: "Shut up!"
"Gelen survives by plundering resources. Their capital has barren land—all metal, ore, and energy rely on imports. Early wars and development made self-sufficiency impossible. After Edwin's death, no one challenged this, so the 'tradition' continues."
Lian Sheng eyed the young man: "Yet you claim to be a Gelen soldier!"
"I am!" Not wanting to elaborate, the young man stood. "Just hurry inside."
Lian Sheng rose and circled toward the hotel's front entrance.
Lian Sheng said: "I'll scout ahead to avoid traps. Wait for my signal."
Zhao Zhuoluo nodded.
Lian Sheng jogged off, speaking into the comms: "Continue."
The channel fell silent briefly.
"Huh? Me?" Lu Mingyuan finally said. "Gelen's been around over a century. There aren't many easy resource planets left nearby—pickings get slim after repeated raids."
Lu Mingyuan continued: "Under Edwin, conquered territories were incorporated into Gelen's governance. Though stolen, they were at least managed. Recently, Gelen stopped absorbing bankrupt zones. Fengse City had no value, and its people hated Gelen troops—too troublesome to control. So they just disbanded the occupation."
Wherever they were in the arcade, the background noise was minimal.
Harry chimed in: "So it's a second Kafa? But Kafa got luckier."
Lu Mingyuan: "Pretty much."
Lian Sheng said: "Quite the talent for making enemies. Gelen will reap what it sows."
Zhou Shirui: "That's why anti-war sentiment runs high in Gelen. The port's an open zone—less impact here. Their capital's had multiple protests."
"They control the tech, money, resources, and military. However much we despise Gelen and predict its downfall, they're still formidable." Lu Mingyuan said. "Violence built their empire. Predicted to collapse for decades, yet they endure. The wicked truly do live long."
The young man couldn't take it anymore: "I'm still here!"
Lian Sheng: "Name."
The young man paused, then said: "Lance."
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