Chapter 1197: Ambushed on the Return Journey

Lina's room is on the third floor of the official residence, facing the inner courtyard garden.

She likes a quiet environment, saying the garden's plants help her think.

Alan knocks on the door.

"Come in."

Lina's voice comes from within.

He pushes the door open and enters.

Lina is sitting at her desk, with three holographic screens floating in front of her, each displaying different information: a list of council members, safety regulation clauses, and a funding flow chart for the Pure Eye project.

"Brother? Is something the matter?"

She looks up to ask, while her fingers continue to operate quickly, switching the screen content.

"It's time to rest. Tomorrow is very important; you need to stay clear-headed."

Lina smiles, looking somewhat exhausted.

"I'll be done in a moment. I'm cross-referencing Councilman Marcus and the connection to Pure Eye. Look, here..."

She points to a node on the funding flow chart.

"Although it's very hidden, his family business did indeed obtain some equipment procurement contracts for Pure Eye through three layers of subcontracting. If any committee member asks about conflicts of interest tomorrow, we can use this to counterattack."

Alan walks to the desk, looking at those complex data streams.

"You are doing too much. These should have been my work."

"You are responsible for the front stage, I am responsible for behind the scenes."

Lina closes the holographic screens, stands up, and stretches her body.

"This is how we've worked together since we were young, isn't it? You charge, I plan."

She walks to a small dining table, where there is a late-night snack prepared by a servant in advance: two bowls of hot soup and some light food.

"Eat together?"

She invites.

Alan nods and sits down in the chair opposite.

The two eat in silence.

Lina suddenly speaks, her voice very soft.

"Brother, do you still remember what Mother said before she passed away?"

Alan retrieves the memory.

Alan and Lina's mother passed away from illness fifteen years ago, and on her deathbed, she called the two children to her bedside.

"She said, 'Take care of each other, and never betray one another'."

Alan repeats.

Lina nods, her Third Eye slightly moist.

"Back then you were still young, impulsive, and prone to trouble. I was always worried you would get into an accident. Later you joined the army and went to the front lines; every time I heard a battle report, I was terrified. When you were confirmed missing... I thought I had truly lost you."

She pauses for a moment, controlling her emotions.

"But now you are back. Although you have changed, you are back. And we are doing an important thing, correcting mistakes and making the Star Alliance better. Mother would be proud of us."

Alan drinks his soup in Silence.

Lina continues.

"After tomorrow, no matter the result, we will face it together. If we succeed, we will continue to push for reform. If we fail... at least we tried."

"We will not fail."

Alan says, his voice calm.

"So confident?"

"Because I have you. Your planning has never failed."

Lina smiles.

"Then let's make tomorrow a new beginning. For Mother, for Father, for the Saladin Family, and also for... everyone who believes we can change something."

As Lina tidies up the tableware, she suddenly remembers something.

"By the way, for General Geke's dinner, do I need to wear formal dress? Or is a military service uniform fine?"

"Military service uniform. The General appreciates the true character of a soldier."

"Alright."

Lina checks the time.

"Then I will prepare for one more standard hour before resting. You should sleep early too; you need to be in peak condition tomorrow."

"Mm."

General Gerak's dinner is very simple.

The location is the dining room of the General's residence, and the participants are only Geke himself, his Adjutant, Alan, and Lina—the four of them.

The conversation is mainly about the details of tomorrow's testimony. Gerak gives his final advice:

"Among the nine committee members, three are my old friends and will support you.

The key lies in the first ten minutes; if you can establish credibility and a sense of urgency during this time, it will be very difficult for them to overturn you."

Lina records every word seriously.

The dinner ends promptly at nine o'clock.

When saying goodbye, Geke pats Alan on the shoulder.

"Remember, you represent more than just the Saladin Family, and more than just yourself. You represent those soldiers who sacrificed on the battlefield, those who died in vain because of systemic flaws. Do not let them down."

"I will not, General."

Alan saluted.

The returning vehicle was already waiting outside the door.

Lina sat on the right side of the back row, Alan sat on the left, and Yingzhou sat in the front passenger seat as the Adjutant.

The driver was a family guard, a veteran with rich experience.

It was very quiet inside the vehicle.

Lina was still reviewing her notes, occasionally marking key points with her Data Pad.

Alan looked out the window, observing the route and the surrounding environment.

At 10:20, the vehicle entered the old city district.

The buildings here were obviously old, many constructed a century ago, and most were now converted into warehouses or cheap apartments.

Nighttime lighting was insufficient, there were few vehicles on the streets, and only sporadic cargo hover-cars sped past.

"Public security in this area is not very good. But this is the fastest route back. We have three minutes to pass through here."

Lina lifted her head from her notes and glanced out the window.

"This planet still has places like this..."

"Every city has its shadows."

Alan said.

At 10:43, the vehicle drove into the planned ambush zone.

10:44 and 30 seconds.

The first ambush vehicle rushed out from the alley on the right and opened fire directly.

An Energy Beam struck the rear of their vehicle, the vehicle shook violently, and the alarm sounded.

"Ambush!"

The driver roared, simultaneously slamming the control stick, and the vehicle swerved to evade.

A second ambush vehicle appeared from the left, blocking the retreat.

A third caught up from behind, completing the encirclement.

"Get down!"

Alan pressed Lina down onto the seat while drawing his Pistol.

Yingzhou had already returned fire; his shooting was so precise it did not seem like an ordinary soldier's, with every shot hitting the ambush vehicles' engines or weapon mounts.

But the opposition had the numerical advantage, and under their suppressing fire, their vehicle was soon damaged in multiple places.

"Engine failure! Protective field dropped to twenty percent!"

The driver reported, his voice intermittent due to the vehicle's vibrations.

"Abandon vehicle!"

Alan ordered.

"Kelan, cover us! Lina, follow me!"

He kicked open the door and jumped out of the vehicle, pulling Lina with him.

Where they landed was an alley piled with discarded machinery; the ground was slippery and had a heavy smell of machine oil.

Yingzhou and the driver also got out from the other side, returning fire while relying on the vehicle wreckage.

The attackers also got out of their vehicles—eight people, all wearing standard mercenary equipment, black combat uniforms without any markings, and modular weapon systems.

"Retreat toward that side!"

Alan pointed at the designated abandoned building.

"Quick!"

Lina drew a small Energy Pistol and followed Alan, running through the ruins.

Energy Beams splashed around them, striking metal and concrete.

Alan avoided open ground, utilizing every piece of cover.

At the same time, he ensured Lina remained within his protection.

"Brother... who are they?"

Lina asked, panting.

"I don't know. But they are definitely not ordinary robbers."

Alan replied.

They rushed into the abandoned building, and Alan said.

"Go to the third floor! There is a line of sight there, we can call for support!"

Lina did not question him and followed him as he rushed up the stairs.

Second floor, third floor.

Alan pushed open a damaged door and entered an empty room.

Outside the window, the firefight on the street below could be seen.

Yingzhou and the driver were still resisting, but they were clearly at a disadvantage.

The attackers were closing in.

"The Communication Device has no signal..."

Lina tried to call for support, but the device only had static.

"It's being jammed."

"As expected."

Alan walked to the window and observed below.

He needed to let Lina also stand in this position.

"Lina, come take a look. Can you identify the model of the attackers' equipment? It might be a clue."

Lina walked to the window, stood at his side, and looked down.

Her attention was focused on the battle below, attempting to analyze the equipment and tactics of those attackers.

Alan's body shifted slightly to the side, ensuring he did not obstruct the sniper line.

Lina seemed to have sensed something; she turned her head and looked at Alan.

"Brother, I think..."