Chapter 1200: Parliament Building

"I understand."

Alan also stood up.

"Please tell the General that I will not let him down, nor will I let Lina down."

Kainluoke saluted, preparing to leave, but stopped at the door.

"Major, one more personal question... are you okay?"

This question was unexpected.

Alan looked at him and paused for a moment.

"I... I don't know. Sometimes I feel fine, able to continue. Sometimes... when I think of the look in her eyes when she last looked at me, I feel..."

He did not finish, but the effect was achieved.

Kain nodded, said nothing more, just saluted again, and left.

The door closed.

Alan's expression instantly returned to calm.

He walked to the mirror to check his state: uniform neat, wounds properly treated, expression grave but not collapsing.

Perfect.

Alan opened the Data Pad to re-examine the information provided by Geke.

Councilman Marcus, a member of the council for twelve years, belongs to the "Resource Faction," advocating for priority resource supply to core star systems and opposing "waste" on border and scientific research projects.

The family operates mining and transportation, with an indirect but certain interest connection to the Pure Eye.

A very good target.

In front of the Parliament Building.

When the Saladin Family's vehicle arrived, a group of reporters was already waiting there.

The news of Lina's assassination had already spread in the early morning, and with Alan testifying today, it naturally became the focus.

When Alan stepped out of the car, the flashes lit up in a sea of light.

Reporters scrambled to ask questions.

"Major, what would you like to say about what happened to your sister?"

"Do you think the attack is related to today's testimony?"

"Will you still continue to testify?"

Alan did not answer any questions, just walked quickly toward the entrance of the Parliament Building under the protection of a team of family guards.

His expression was serious, his eyes looking straight ahead, not avoiding the cameras, but also not interacting at all.

After entering the building, Captain Ketuo was already waiting there.

As the family guard captain, he personally led the team to protect Alan today.

"The chip analysis has preliminary results."

Ketuo reported in a low voice.

"It points to an anonymous account, but that account recently had fund transfers with a secret fund of Councilman Makusi. Although it is not direct evidence, it is enough to initiate a formal investigation."

Alan nodded and replied.

"Very good. But do not make it public. After I finish testifying, let the media controlled by the family 'accidentally' obtain this news."

"Understood."

They arrived at the waiting room of the Kexue Anquan Xiaoweiyuanhui.

The room was not large, but it had complete security and privacy measures.

Other witnesses had already arrived—representatives from several scientific research institutions, two security experts, and two researchers from the Pure Eye project.

Seeing Alan enter, everyone fell into a moment of Silence.

"Major."

A gentle voice sounded.

Alan turned around and saw a Fengqi woman wearing administrative uniform.

"I am the assistant to the committee Chairman, Aila."

She introduced herself.

"First, please accept my personal and the committee's deepest condolences. Miss Lina was an excellent young person, and her passing is a loss for everyone."

"Thank you."

Alan bowed slightly.

"Given the special circumstances, the committee can postpone your testimony."

Aila said.

"If you need time to process..."

"No. Lina would not want me to postpone it. In fact, she prepared for today's testimony for a long time. I am going to finish her work."

A trace of admiration flashed in Aila's eyes.

"Then, the testimony will begin promptly at ten o'clock. You are scheduled to speak third, at approximately ten-forty. This is your speaking order and basic procedure."

She handed over a Data Pad.

"In addition, General Gerak specifically instructed that a secure room be arranged for you, where you can prepare before testifying."

She pointed to a door next to the waiting room.

Alan nodded in thanks, then took Yingzhou into that room.

The room was very small, with only one table and two chairs, but it was indeed more private.

After the door closed, Yingzhou immediately checked the room's security; there were no listening devices, but there were standard surveillance cameras.

"The cameras can be temporarily disabled."

Yingzhou said.

"No need. It's better if they see me preparing diligently."

He took the documents Lina had prepared out of his briefcase.

Alan flipped through them page by page.

This would be "Lina's Legacy" that he would present before the committee.

"It's about time."

Yingzhou reminded him.

Alan closed the documents, took a deep breath, and stood up.

"I'm going."

Yingzhou nodded.

"Mm, I'll head out to check the situation nearby as well."

Alan left the secure room and walked toward the committee hearing hall.

Alan's pace was steady, his back straight.

General Geke sat on the right side of the committee bench; seeing Alan enter, he nodded slightly.

Alan walked to the witness stand and stood.

"The 478th hearing of the Kexue Anquan Xiaoweiyuanhui now begins. Will the third witness, Major Alan Saladin Weike, please step forward to take the Oath."

Alan stepped forward and placed his hand on the Code of Fengqi.

"I swear that the testimony I provide will be true and complete, for the greatest benefit of the Star Alliance."

The Oath was completed.

After Alan entered the hearing hall, Yingzhou stood up and left the Parliament Building through a side door.

The side door Guard checked his identification badge.

After verifying it was correct, the blast door slid open.

The Parliament Building was located at the heart of the planet's political district, surrounded by government agencies, embassies, and elite residences.

The streets were wide and clean, the flow of hover-cars was orderly, and various Aliens, mostly dressed in formal attire, walked in a hurry.

Yingzhou walked east along the road, which was the direction toward the old city district.

As the distance from the parliamentary district grew, the streetscape began to change: the buildings became low and cluttered, and shop signs shifted from elegant holographic logos to crude neon tubes.

Twenty minutes later, he entered a market area.

This was a civilian commercial district, lacking the aerial traffic network of hover-car lanes, with only ground streets and crowded throngs of people.

Vendors hawked their wares on the roadside, ranging from fresh fruits and vegetables to second-hand parts, and from cheap clothing to suspicious "military surplus supplies."

Yingzhou's military uniform was slightly abrupt here, but not too eye-catching.

In times of war, soldiers were seen everywhere.

He walked into an eatery that looked like it had been around for some years.

An old-fashioned holographic projector hung on the shop's wall, playing a news channel, but the volume was set very low, and only the flickering images could be seen.

Yingzhou found a table in the corner and sat down.

A middle-aged Fengqi woman walked over, her apron stained with grease.

"What will you have?"

"The standard set meal, plus a cold drink."

"Wait a moment."