Chapter 263: Scapegoat Falling from the Sky

Because of the forced apology incident, Thomas didn't show his face for the next period of time. Following standard procedures, the Meteorite Fleet entered the review procedure.

Smart Terminals and Weapons and equipment were all temporarily removed, and the remaining battleships of the Meteorite Fleet were also placed under the trusteeship of the Sixth Patrol Fleet.

The prisoners were also fully received and imprisoned within the Sixth Patrol Fleet.

Upon returning to Return Star, various inquiries awaited them, mainly to verify whether there were any suspicious errors in the battle report.

Originally, several deputy commanders of the Sixth Patrol Fleet wanted to use this opportunity to make things difficult for the people of the Meteorite Fleet.

But they were all sternly stopped by Thomas. More than one High Echelon big shot was paying Attention here. Using these underhanded tricks now was simply courting death.

Since they were all highly trained soldiers, this series of handovers was very fast. Coupled with the urging of Gui Xing High Command,

Almost the day after the Sixth Patrol Fleet arrived, the Meteorite Fleet began its return voyage under escort, while Thomas remained in Ordos to continue his mission.

He still needed to thoroughly investigate the entire Ordos System to ensure no incidents were overlooked.

Claptrap reported in his ear. The Empire Exploration Vessel went deep into the Void Cosmic Belt and was forcibly made to activate its self-destruct System. It should have completely disappeared by now.

Li Yu nodded. Through the porthole... he could clearly see that the battleship was gradually moving away from the Ordos System.

Although his Smart Terminal was outwardly taken away, the [Titan Colonization Armor] could derive countless Smart Terminals at any time.

Li Yu's eyes narrowed slightly. Black Ember's Corporeal Form was still in his Compressed Space.

Li Yu's eyes flickered... As an A-Level Mechanical Cyborg, Black Ember possessed extremely high technological content. It wasn't something the [Titan Colonization Armor] could Devour in a short time.

On Ordos Prime, he didn't have time to Devour Black Ember's Augmented Body, so he could only carry it with him temporarily.

The current troublesome part was that he would probably also have to undergo the review procedure after returning. During the review procedure, everything would be inspected.

In that case, it would be difficult for Black Ember's corpse not to be discovered, and the [Titan Colonization Armor] would also likely be exposed.

After thinking it over, Li Yu had Claptrap send a message to Klein.

...

With the return of the Meteorite Fleet, the impact caused by the Ordos Incident only slowly began to ferment.

Just as the Citizens of Return Star, who hadn't long experienced the Vitel terrorist attack, woke up early to browse the network news and see if there was any new gossip...

They were suddenly startled by a pop-up news alert...

"...A Marauder attack occurred in the Ordos System... The Meteorite Fleet quickly engaged... and paid a heavy price..."

This was a mandatory pop-up from the Returning Star Government, causing widespread discussion on the network. After all, it hadn't been too long since the Vitel attack.

Another vicious Marauder attack happened, giving the Citizens of Return Star an illusion-like feeling, as if they weren't living in a peaceful Interstellar era.

Various news commentators in Return Star quickly mobilized to analyze this brief report.

"...No battle casualties listed... no number of enemies annihilated listed... this kind of brief report is very rare..."

"It should be an extremely exaggerated kill-to-death ratio. High Echelon's usual style... deducing an internal review procedure is underway..."

"Just don't know if the casualty situation is too shocking, or the number of enemies annihilated is too shocking..."

Return Star knew the attackers were the Star Glory Empire, but they couldn't say it explicitly, only describing it as a vicious attack and hiding the matter of the Titan Ruins.

This attack caused dissatisfaction among many Return Star Citizens, who felt that Gui Xing High Command were all eating free meals, letting Citizens be sacrificed in vain.

Data from several different polling agencies showed that since Digor took office, over the past five years... his reputation had been continuously declining.

The Ordos Incident further caused his approval rating to hit rock bottom, only an astonishing 36%. He was about to approach the lowest-rated ruler in Return Star's history.

This was also related to his increasingly rare public appearances in recent years. Even many newborn Return Star Young Children had almost never seen this ruler appear in public.

On the other side... Dark Star had just completed respawning on an unknown Universe planet. He hadn't replenished enough Nutritious Substances yet, and his body was feeling weak.

He learned through a backup Smart Terminal that the big shot behind him wanted to see him. Needless to say... it was definitely because of the Ordos Incident.

Thinking of what happened this time... Dark Star felt a Headache. It was truly too bizarre. Every time he encountered Li Yu, he seemed to suffer a loss.

But this time wasn't too bad... He was only beaten up a few times, but instead learned more of this guy's secrets.

This planet was a place he left backup spores a long time ago. It didn't have an encrypted communication terminal.

But that big shot was obviously also very anxious and didn't use an encrypted communication terminal.

"Where is the [Apostle]!?" The first sentence from the other party completely Dumbfounded Dark Star. What [Apostle]?

Isn't the [Apostle] in Li Yu's hands? What does it have to do with me?

"I didn't get the [Apostle]. The [Apostle] is in Li Yu's hands," Dark Star explained.

"Are you sure..." The other party's voice sank, saying coldly: "Dark Star... don't try to hide anything from me."

Hearing the implicit threat in the other party's words, Dark Star had a bad premonition in his heart and asked patiently: "Why would you say the [Apostle] is in my hands? Did Li Yu Frame and incriminate me again?"

This was the only possibility, otherwise the other party wouldn't question him like this.

"Do you have a different version?" The other party remained Noncommittal and asked back.

"Of course!" Dark Star's voice instantly rose a pitch. Damn it, this Bastard actually tried to pin the blame on me again. He's addicted, isn't he?

Subsequently, he told the other party the truth in one breath...

"This is the truth of what happened in the Ordos Incident..." His tone was cold.

"You mean... Li Yu killed four A-Tier Lifeforms and snatched the [Apostle]..." Even though it was a voice processed through Mechanization, Dark Star still heard a hint of weirdness in it.

"You don't believe it?" Dark Star frowned tightly. Searching his own conscience, this matter was indeed hard to believe, but it was the truth.

"The information obtained through my intelligence channels is completely different from what you said." The other party didn't answer directly, but told Dark Star a completely different story.

"...Elton went on a killing spree, annihilating four A-Tier Lifeforms... and I and the Empire Exploration Vessel took the [Apostle] away?" Dark Star's expression became extremely colorful, and he couldn't help asking:

"...Does anyone actually believe such a stupid story? Elton was beaten like a dog at the time..."

The other side of the Smart Terminal fell silent for a moment and didn't answer his question, giving Dark Star a feeling of being Dumbfounded.

"You don't believe my words, but instead believe Li Yu's words?"

"This wasn't said by Li Yu..." The other party answered faintly: "This is the battle report submitted by the surviving 8953 soldiers and five deputy commanders of the Meteorite Fleet."

Dark Star's pupils contracted, feeling as if struck by lightning. Various thoughts flew through his mind, eventually converging into four words: "How is this possible..."

Immediately after, he suddenly looked up, seemingly thinking of something: "He must have used special means to control those people."

"Perhaps. Return Star aren't fools. They will give us an answer." The other party's attitude was Ambiguous, making Dark Star's eyes flicker.

"What about the Logistics Team you sent? Although they didn't land on Ordos Prime, they should have seen what happened through external observation," Dark Star reminded.

"They disappeared..."

It must be Li Yu. This time, Dark Star didn't say anything more. There was no need to explain. Once the seed of doubt was planted, there was only one outcome.

"This matter will be shelved for now. Where are you? Anna wants to see you." The other party proactively asked.

Dark Star's expression flickered. Staring at the Smart Terminal in front of him, his breathing slightly rushed, but he said with difficulty:

"...No need..."

The other party didn't say anything more and directly hung up the communication. There was no need to continue the conversation.

"Anna..."

Dark Star murmured in a low voice. The veins on his arms bulged, but he suppressed himself from crushing the Smart Terminal in his hand. This was the first time the other party communicated with him without using an encrypted terminal.

Perhaps... this was an opportunity.

...

It was still seven days later when Li Yu returned to the Return Star Central Star System from Ordos.

To welcome these soldiers of the Meteorite Fleet, Number Nine Spaceport had been completely cleared. A large number of soldiers armed with live ammunition guarded it layer by layer to eliminate all possible hidden dangers.

Single-digit Spaceports were inherently not open to the public; they belonged to internal Spaceports.

The transfer Spaceships followed the guidance and landed at the Spaceport. As the Blast Doors opened, the sound of Gunfire rang out—this was a simple welcoming ceremony.

Although they were soldiers awaiting review, they were also soldiers who had fought bravely and deserved respect.

"Ministry of Internal Affairs—Jens Hegler." A Valiant and Spirited female Military Officer stepped forward, her light purple uniform perfectly outlining her graceful figure.

She walked straight up to Jeth, a sharp light hidden in her eyes, "I am in charge of your review procedure. I hope you will cooperate."

Jeth nodded slightly, having no objections.

A large number of Meteorite Soldiers filed out and, under the guidance of the other party, entered the Flying Vehicles already prepared and began to leave.

"...Where is Baron Li Yu?" Jens asked seeing that the Meteorite Soldiers had mostly left.

The moment this name was spoken, she keenly felt the surrounding Atmosphere suddenly change slightly. The five deputy commanders all looked at her simultaneously.

The next moment, however, they looked away, seemingly just a normal reaction.

"He should be in that Spaceship... or that one..." Jeth casually pointed to a few Spaceships with an "I'm not sure either" expression.

Jens frowned slightly and looked around. The other commanders looked normal.

Was it an illusion?

For some reason, she felt a slight change in the Atmosphere, and the reason for this was because she mentioned that name.

"Wuhu... finally back." Li Yu stretched and walked out of one of the Spaceships, twisting his joints, making a slight bone-cracking sound.

"Baron Li Yu..." Jens immediately walked over, followed by several Subordinates.

"Please come with us to undergo the review." Jens got straight to the point, sizing up the "internet celebrity baron" in front of her.

"Me?" Li Yu looked surprised: "Do I also have to undergo the review? I'm not part of the Meteorite Fleet."

"My apologies..." Although Jens said this, there was no trace of apology on her face: "As a somewhat instigating figure in the Ordos Incident, you naturally need to be reviewed."

"This..." Li Yu seemed somewhat troubled: "But I promised Her Royal Highness Klein that I would go see her the moment I returned to Return Star."

Jens's expression turned somewhat ugly. Her impression of Li Yu instantly Deteriorated rapidly. Isn't this just a man living off a woman?

"My apologies, this is a High Echelon order. Please hand over your personal belongings and Smart Terminal." Jens's tone became ice-cold.

Not far away, the expressions of the several deputy commanders changed slightly, but keeping Li Yu's orders in mind, they didn't walk over.

"Make way... make way... Ministry of Defense emergency order!" A noisy sound came from not far away. Jens frowned slightly. She had already cleared this place, who was forcing their way in?

Hearing this familiar voice, Li Yu was somewhat surprised. He thought it would be the sis-con Elton, but it turned out to be Max.

He was quite curious how Klein managed to order this guy around.

Sure enough, relying on his special Identity, Max directly barged in here.

The moment Jens saw Max, a trace of disdain flashed in her eyes: "So it's the 'Disgrace of the Second Generation'. This place is under martial law, who permitted you to barge in?"

Hearing this nickname, Max didn't seem to care, acting as if he didn't hear it, and said rigidly: "Ministry of Defense emergency directive, I am taking Li Yu away."

Jens sneered: "It's an emergency directive just because you say so?"

Max couldn't be bothered to say more and directly waved his Smart Terminal. Jens's Smart Terminal vibrated simultaneously, displaying an emergency directive with basically the same meaning as what Max said.

Jens's expression instantly changed slightly. She gritted her teeth, staring at the issuer of the directive—Aethel George.

Even for the Ministry of Internal Affairs, procedurally they couldn't oppose General Aethel's emergency directive.

"If there's nothing else, I'll be leaving then," Li Yu asked. Seeing Jens have no reaction, he walked straight towards Max.

"Boss... you actually didn't die..." Max only then smiled happily, reverting to that uninhibited Second-Generation Elite.

"Did you really want me to die?" Li Yu pretended to be angry.

"How would I dare... just pure curiosity..." Max cooperated by revealing an ingratiating smile.

Watching the backs of the two leaving with their arms around each other's shoulders, Jens's eyes were deep, pondering something.

After coming out of Number Nine Spaceport, Li Yu asked with a somewhat strange expression: "How did you get that nickname?"

"What nickname?" Max played dumb.

"Never mind if you don't want to say." Li Yu didn't continue asking.

Max instead was unwilling: "Don't be like that... Boss, ask again... I'll tell you."

Some people are just cheap.

"Scram..." Li Yu said irritably: "Say it if you want, or don't."

"Sigh..." Max laughed twice before sighing: "It's because of being captured last time, you know..."

"Although the Second-Generation Elites are all quite Bastards, being captured is still quite embarrassing, so they don't play with me anymore."

Although there were various reasons for Max's capture, there was only one outcome: paying money to ransom him.

The impact of this matter was far greater than it seemed. At least with this stain, it almost sealed off his ceiling for Advancement.

(End of this chapter)