Chapter 1181: Interrogation at the Feng Qi Xing Alliance

Feng Qi Xing Alliance Third Border Inspection Station, "Iron Eye" Space Station.

It is the frontline inspection hub of the Feng Qi Xing Alliance; all personnel fleeing back from enemy-occupied zones must undergo the strictest screening here.

In the center of the hall are hundreds of transparent isolation pods, each holding "Returnees" received from border patrol squads.

These individuals have arrived successively over the past seventy-two hours, reaching a total of one hundred and twenty-seven, which exactly corresponds to Yingzhou and the 101 Kalidusi assassins disguised as "survivors," plus a few scattered, genuine deserters.

Yingzhou sits inside isolation pod number 73, his back against the reinforced glass.

He is wearing that tattered Fengqi Military uniform, his face bearing the exhaustion left by long-distance drifting and intense interrogation.

The door of the isolation pod slides open.

A female Fengqi official wearing a gray uniform with the Information General Bureau badge on her chest walks in.

She holds a data pad in her hand, her three eyes scanning the interior of the pod coldly.

"Corporal Kelan Weike. Come with me. Proceed to the third stage of screening."

Yingzhou stands up, his breathing slightly rapid, his gaze not daring to meet the inspector's for too long.

He follows the official out of the isolation pod and walks through the long corridor.

On both sides of the corridor are rows of identical transparent chambers, and Yingzhou can see the status of other "Returnees."

Some are curled up in corners, some are pacing anxiously, and some are undergoing questioning by inspectors.

In chamber number 12, Yingzhou sees y-1—or rather, he should be called "Alan Saladin Weikos" now.

This assassin Company Commander, disguised as a collateral officer of the Saladin Family, is standing straight, conversing with an inspector.

Although the sound cannot be heard, from his posture, he is using an officer's authority to question why the other party is delaying the screening process.

The inspector is clearly feeling the pressure, leaning forward slightly while speaking, with a more respectful demeanor.

Yingzhou's inspector also notices the situation over there and mutters in a low voice.

"People from the Saladin Family... what a nuisance."

They continue moving forward, eventually entering a small room without windows.

In the center of the room is only a table and two chairs, with several surveillance cameras in the corners.

"Sit."

The inspector points to the chair across the table.

Yingzhou sits down, placing his hands on his knees.

The inspector sits opposite him, places the data pad on the table, and begins to ask questions.

"Corporal Kelan, according to records, you were attached to Company B, Seventh Infantry Regiment, Third Marine Division during the Battle of Aurora, responsible for defending the west flank."

"Yes, ma'am."

"Your Company Commander was Captain Gerak, and your Deputy Company Commander was Lieutenant Molei; are these names correct?"

Yingzhou recalls the information he has reviewed.

"Captain Gerak was killed in action two hours after the battle began, and Lieutenant Molei took over command. But Lieutenant Molei was also killed when the Kriegers charged, and in the end, Sergeant Major Tuoke led our retreat."

The inspector records this on the data pad.

"Describe the process of your capture."

"When we retreated to the Second Defense Line, we found our path cut off by the Airborne Troops of the Xiuluo Saint. Lieutenant Molei ordered us to break out in scattered groups, but the Humans had thermal scans... I hid in a crater with five others until our ammunition ran out. Then... then giants in green armor appeared; they were too fast, we didn't even have time to resist."

"Green armor?" The inspector looks up, "Are you talking about Space Marines?"

"I... I don't know what they are called. They were very tall, and their armor was dark green. One of them grabbed me, and his strength was so... I heard my bones cracking, and then I passed out."

The inspector's expression softens slightly.

"After you were captured, where were you held?"

"At first it was a temporary prisoner-of-war camp, on the surface. Later we were transferred to a transport ship, jumped for a long time, and finally arrived at a... very cold planet."

The inspector's three eyes narrow.

"A very cold planet?"

"Yes, ma'am. It was extremely cold there, but there were heating facilities. We were locked in... a very large building, with many levels, and many cells on each level."

"Describe the guards there."

"Most were Human soldiers, wearing gray uniforms. Occasionally, giants wearing Power Armor of various colors would appear... but they rarely had direct contact with us, usually just patrolling in the corridors."

The subsequent questions are even more tricky: the daily routine of the POW camp, food rations, medical conditions, interrogation methods... Yingzhou answers them one by one, occasionally "not remembering clearly" or "getting confused," matching the memory state of an ordinary soldier under pressure and trauma.

The interrogation lasts for a full two hours.

When it ends, the inspector closes the data pad, showing a hint of sympathy for the first time.

"Corporal Kelan, your experience... was very difficult. But you must understand, in times of war, we must be cautious. Too many spies try to infiltrate this way."

"I understand, ma'am. I just want to go home. I want to see my family."

"We will arrange it as soon as possible. But before that, you still need to pass the final Loyalty test and a deep physiological scan.

If everything is normal, you will be released from isolation within three days and sent to your home planet."

"Thank you, ma'am."

The inspector stands up and leaves.

After the room door closes, Yingzhou sits alone.

This screening has passed.

But there are more hurdles ahead.

Two days later, the central inspection hall.

After multiple rounds of screening, most "Returnees" have been classified and processed:

Those confirmed to have no issues are transferred to the temporary Settlement Area, waiting for repatriation;

Those with slight suspicions remain under observation;

Those with serious issues were held in solitary confinement to undergo further investigation.

Yingzhou belonged to the first category.

His review record was stamped with "Verified, Security Level B," which meant he could leave the quarantine zone but could not leave the space station for the time being, as he needed to wait for transport ship arrangements.

However, he did not go to the Settlement Area; instead, he was taken to another area: the family reception hall.

This hall was much more luxurious than the quarantine zone, with soft seats, real plant decorations, and even a small observation window from which the starry sky outside could be seen.

Clearly, this was prepared for powerful family members.

The official who brought him said, "Major Alan Weike of the Saladin Family has requested to see you."

"He said you formed a friendship in the prisoner-of-war camp, and he is willing to provide a guarantee for you so you can leave the screening station early."

Yingzhou put on a surprised expression.

"Major Alan? He... he really said that?"

"Yes. He is waiting for you outside."

The official pointed outside the hall.

"However, I must remind you: accepting a family guarantee means you will become an affiliate of the Saladin Family, at least for the duration of the war. This has its pros and cons; the pro is that you can return home quickly, and the con is that you must serve the family."

"I am willing."

Yingzhou said without hesitation.

"Major Alan saved my life in the prisoner-of-war camp. If it weren't for him, I might already be dead."

"Then go."

The official cleared the way.

Yingzhou walked out of the reception hall and saw Alan Saladin Weike waiting in the corridor.