Chapter 1195: Are You Not Brainwashed?

The hovercar drove into the residence where they were staying, a property owned by the Saladin Family on Huojin Xing, where security was guaranteed.

Back in the suite, Lina still had to organize the meeting records for the day and prepare the itinerary for tomorrow.

Alan told her to go rest first, while he and Yingzhou remained in the living room.

Only after confirming that the privacy shield was activated did Yingzhou speak.

"Progress is good."

"Understood, Your Majesty."

"But Lina is truly professional; she considers everything very thoroughly for you."

Alan took off his coat, loosened his collar, and walked to the window, looking at the night view of the city outside.

The night on Huojin Xing was very dark.

"She is indeed professional. Too professional. Today, when meeting the Director of the Science Department, she prepared the papers the other party had recently published in advance and cleverly quoted them during the conversation, winning the other party's favor.

When meeting the military representative, she knew the other party's son was on the front lines and specifically asked about his recent situation, showing humanistic concern."

"She is paving the way for you. Using her professional knowledge, her connections."

"Yes."

"Then, what is the plan next? Torres has already arranged for you to testify before the Kexue Anquan Xiaoweiyuanhui in three days. That will be your official debut."

Alan turned around and replied.

"The testimony itself is a formality; the key is private contact with the committee members. Lina has already compiled detailed profiles on the nine members of the subcommittee, and we need to arrange individual meetings before and after the testimony. Especially with General Geke."

"Your old superior."

"Yes. He had the grace to mentor me, but he also knows the past me the best. So special preparation is needed to ensure the disguise is flawless."

The day before the testimony, Alan received a private invitation from General Geke, at the General's private residence.

This was an important signal: Gerak was willing to meet privately, indicating he had a certain degree of trust or interest in Alan.

After learning the news, Lina was both happy and nervous.

"This is a good opportunity. General Geke has influence in both the parliament and the military; if he supports you, many neutral legislators will follow suit. But he is also very strict and hates deception and affectation the most. You must be completely authentic."

"Authentic?"

Alan asked.

"Show the real you. Do not over-perform, do not deliberately curry favor. What General Geke appreciates is ability and character, not political technique."

"I understand."

Alan nodded.

That night, he and Yingzhou took a Shuttle to the Capital Star.

Lina did not accompany them; Gerak's invitation explicitly requested only Alan, as this was a meeting between military men, and it was the rule not to bring family.

The prosperity of the planet near the Capital Star was much higher than the ones they had visited before.

Located at the political center of the Fengqi Star Alliance, the orbit was filled with space stations and warships, the surface city was brightly lit, the buildings towered into the clouds, and air traffic was busy and orderly.

Gerak's residence was on the edge of the city, in a relatively quiet hillside area.

Alan entered alone.

Yingzhou, acting as Adjutant, waited in the vehicle outside the gate.

He was received by Gerak's Adjutant, a middle-aged officer with a stern expression.

After a simple check, he was brought to the study.

General Geke stood in front of the study window, with his back to the door.

"Reporting, Major Alan Saladin Weike is here to report."

Alan stood in a standard military posture.

Gerak turned around slowly.

"At ease, Major. Sit."

Alan sat down in the designated chair, his back straight.

Gerak walked behind the desk but did not sit down, instead standing and looking down at Alan.

Geke spoke.

"We all thought you were dead."

"I am sorry, General. But as a soldier, I did my best."

"What happened in that war? The real version."

Straight to the point, no small talk.

Alan had been prepared for this.

He described the real battle, based on the true memories of Alan Weike.

The gathering of the fleet, the wrong judgment, the Space Marines, the desperate fighting, the final surrender.

"Surrender."

Gerak repeated the word, his tone devoid of emotion.

"Why not die in battle?"

"Because I wanted to live."

Alan answered candidly.

"My ship was destroyed, most of my subordinates were killed, and continuing to fight had no meaning. And... I wanted to bring the truth back. To let the Star Alliance know what kind of enemy we are facing."

Geke stared at him for a long time, his Third Eye rotating slightly.

"And the prisoner-of-war camp?"

Alan described the camp where he had been: cold, monotonous, interrogations, but also the... contradictory attitudes occasionally displayed by the Human soldiers.

Some people are cruel, while others will add a word of concern when delivering meals.

"They give you treatment, give you food, no abuse?" Geke asked.

"Basic survival needs have been met."

Alan answered cautiously.

"But I believe this is not kindness, but strategy. Healthy captives are more valuable; they can be exchanged, can be used to obtain intelligence, can... serve as propaganda tools."

Geke nodded: "You have not been brainwashed?"

"I remind myself of three things every day: I am Fengqi, I am a member of the Saladin Family, and I am your soldier. These identities are firmer than any brainwashing."

Gerak's expression softened slightly.

He walked around the desk and sat down in the chair opposite Alan.

"Then, the accident with the Pure Eye. What is your take?"

"Safety hazards must be resolved. But my goal is not to attack those councilors, but to perfect the system. Any project lacking oversight can have problems; this time it was a Psionic Accident, next time it could be another disaster."

"A very official answer. But tell me privately: do you think those councilors know the truth about the Pure Eye?"

Alan thought for a few seconds, then said.

"I think he knows the project has problems, but perhaps does not know the specific extent. Therefore, we need to establish a more transparent reporting mechanism so that leaders can see the real situation."

A trace of an almost imperceptible smile appeared at the corners of Geke's mouth.

"You have changed, Alan. The former you was more impulsive, more idealistic. Now you are... more mature, more politically savvy."

"War and imprisonment change a person."

Alan said.

"Then, tell me your true purpose. Enter the council, push for safety legislation, and then what? What do you want?"

"I want a more powerful Fengqi Star Alliance, General. A Star Alliance that will not be weakened by internal corruption, a Star Alliance that will not let soldiers die in vain due to poor decision-making. I know this sounds grand, but... if those of us who have experienced the cruelty of war do not strive for it, who will?"

Geke remained in Silence for a long time. The clock in the study ticked, and time slipped away second by second.

Finally, he stood up.

"Testify tomorrow, I will be there. Prepare well. Also..."

He walked to the desk and wrote down a communication frequency.

"This is my private line. If you encounter difficulties, you can contact me. But remember: I will only help you three times. After three times, you must rely on yourself."

Alan took the note and held it solemnly in his hand.

"Thank you, General. I will not let you down."

Leaving the mansion and returning to the car, Yingzhou asked.

"Did it succeed?"

"It succeeded. Geke's support is worth more than ten ordinary councilors. Testifying tomorrow, he will be there in person, which in itself is a signal."

The hovercar started, returning to their temporary residence.

On the way, Alan recounted the meeting process in detail to Yingzhou.

Every question, every answer, every reaction of Gerak.

After listening, Yingzhou said slowly.

"He believed it. Or rather, he is willing to believe it. Because he needs someone like you—with battlefield experience, a family background, and political potential—who can become his 'sword' in the council."

"And I need his 'shield'. Mutual utilization, that is politics."

Returning to the residence, Lina was already waiting there.

She asked about the meeting impatiently, and Alan informed her briefly.

Lina was very excited: "Great! With General Geke's support, almost no one will dare to openly oppose the testimony. We need to do a final check of the testimony..."