Chapter 1192: Becoming a Stranger

Alan followed Lina into her private study.

This room was located in the west wing of the main residence, with windows facing the family cemetery.

Lina liked to think here; she said it allowed her to "remember what she was fighting for."

The door closed, and Lina activated the room's privacy shield.

"Now, tell the truth."

She turned around, her three eyes staring straight at Alan.

"What exactly happened?"

Alan remained calm.

"What I told you is the truth."

"No, it isn't."

Lina shook her head.

"Lost's injuries were not caused by a Psionic Accident. I have seen victims of Psionic Accidents; their brainwaves have a specific pattern: an initial violent oscillation, followed by a gradual decay. But Lost's brainwaves... were suddenly cut off, as if his consciousness had been forcibly 'snapped' by something."

She took a step closer and lowered her voice.

"Furthermore, I took people to inspect the site. Although most of the guards' bodies were incinerated, the cause of death for the ones that weren't burned in time is also wrong.

If it were a psionic explosion, the bodies should show signs like energy burns or shattered internal organs.

But although I only caught a glimpse when the remains were being transported out, their injuries looked more like... physical trauma. Fractured skulls, broken cervical vertebrae."

"You saw wrong."

Alan said calmly.

"The scene was chaotic at the time, and the lighting was dim. Besides, a psionic outburst can produce multiple effects: energy shockwaves, physical vibrations, and even spatial distortion. A variety of wounds is normal."

Lina stared at him for a long time, then sighed.

"Brother, do you remember the game we played when we were children? 'Three-Eye Truth', where we would lie to each other and then use our third eye to judge if the other was being honest."

Alan had relevant data in his memory banks.

Alan Saladin Weike and his younger sister Lina did indeed play this game often in their childhood; Lina always won because her third eye was exceptionally keen, able to capture subtle changes in micro-expressions and physiological reactions.

"I remember."

"Then now, look at my third eye."

Lina pointed to the eye in the center of her forehead.

"Tell me the truth."

Alan looked at that eye.

An amber iris, the pupil contracting into a thin line under the light.

But to him, it was just an Alien eye. An organ of a target that needed to be purged.

"The truth is, Lost had an experimental accident, and we saved him. That is all."

A trace of disappointment flashed in Lina's third eye.

She felt... alienation.

After her brother returned from the prisoner-of-war camp, although his appearance had not changed, something inside him was different.

Colder, more distant, more like a stranger.

"Fine."

She said eventually, giving up on further questioning.

"Even if I believe you. But what happens next? With Lost turned into this, what about the Pure Eye project? How will those councilors react?"

Alan walked to the window and looked at the cemetery outside.

"This is exactly the opportunity. Lina, you work in the Intelligence Department; you should know that the Supreme Council is not of one mind."

Lina nodded.

"I know."

"So we need to give those councilors who don't understand this matter a weapon."

Alan turned around.

"Lost's accident can become that weapon. But not for a direct attack, rather... for guidance."

Requesting an audit of Pure Eye on the grounds of "security risks," contacting councilors within the Supreme Council, building alliances, and climbing step by step.

Lina listened, her third eye growing brighter.

"This plan... is very ingenious. Not a frontal assault, but infiltration and division.

Moreover, as a 'hero' and a 'family member of a victim,' you hold the moral high ground; it will be difficult for Valken to suppress you directly."

"But I need help."

Alan said.

"I have connections in the military, but no foundation in the Council. I need you to help me make introductions, and help me analyze which councilors can be won over and which ones need to be avoided."

Lina thought, her fingers unconsciously drawing circles on the tabletop.

"The Speaker himself will not come forward directly, but he has several confidants: Councilor Moran of the Finance Committee, Judge Rex of the Judicial Committee, and... General Geke of the Military Oversight Committee; he was your old superior in your former unit and has a good impression of you."

"General Geke..."

Alan accessed his memory.

Indeed, when Alan Weike was at the military academy, Geke was his tactical instructor, and he had looked after him many times later in the service.

"But his stance is subtle right now."

Lina continued.

"If you can find the right way to approach him..."

"I will."

Alan said.

"But first, I need a formal reason to go to the Council. I can't just go and file a complaint; that would be too obvious."

Lina smiled.

"I have a way for that. As a member of the Intelligence Department, I have the authority to submit a special report regarding 'major incidents that may threaten the security of the Star Alliance'."

"I can write a report on the security risks of the Pure Eye, citing tonight's accident as a case study, and then... 'recommend inviting Major Alan Saladin Weike to testify before the relevant committee'."

"That works. This way, I can enter the Council legitimately, and as an 'expert witness' rather than a 'whistleblower'."

Lina mobilized all her resources in the Intelligence Department to analyze the backgrounds, factions, weaknesses, and needs of the councilors.

Alan provided the military perspective, supplementing the political strategy.

They talked for two full hours.

When they finished, Lina suddenly said.

"Brother, you've changed."

"After experiencing those things, how could I not change?"

"It's not just the experiences. You've become more... cold. More calculating. You used to be more impulsive and emotional. Now, you make me feel a hint of strangeness."

Alan remained in Silence for a moment, then said.

"In the prisoner-of-war camp, I learned three things: first, emotions will get you killed; second, you must calculate at least three steps ahead for everything; third, sometimes, for a greater goal, you must sacrifice something."

Lina nodded.

"Perhaps you are right. In this family, the naive do not live long. Go get some rest, Brother. Starting tomorrow, we will be very busy."

"Lina."

Alan called out to her.

"Hmm?"

"Thank you. Without you, I couldn't do these things."

Lina smiled.

"You are my brother. If I don't help you, who would I help?"

She left.

Alan stood alone in the study, watching the sky gradually brighten outside the window.

The plan was proceeding smoothly.

Lina believed in him, supported him with all her might, and even thought of more ingenious details for him.

His Majesty was right: a living Lina is a risk, a dead Lina is a tool.

An Alien is still an Alien, no matter how good she is to this brother whose identity is a disguise, no matter how smart or how full of Loyalty she is.

It is all just part of the Task.