Chapter 1203: Desperate Gamble

Yingzhou continued to read on.

【Special Attention: Valken's "Last Resort" Plan】

Content Summary: Valken has authorized the activation of the "Mirror Rift" protocol, aimed at activating unknown power to counter the Xiuluo Holy Star Alliance.

Specific content is unknown, but it involves high psionic risk and moral controversy.

Current Status: Research has entered the substantive preparation stage.

Risk Assessment: If this power goes Out of Control, it could cause a regional or even galaxy-level catastrophe.

It seems Valken is truly making a desperate gamble.

When conventional war is destined to fail, turning to forbidden power is the common choice of all desperate rulers.

Yingzhou closed the projection, and the data was automatically destroyed.

Alan's testimony at the council would still take a few hours.

During this time, he could do more.

He needed to contact the peace faction within the Feng Qi Xing Alliance, those who had already seen that the war was hopeless and wanted to seek a path for negotiation.

If Horus and the others continued to maintain their speed of advance, it was very likely they would not even have time for contact.

Letting them delay time internally would give him enough time to understand the specific situation of the Mirror Rift.

Yingzhou activated the Communication Device again, this time to a different channel.

"Requesting the list of peace faction councilors on the Capital Star and contact points."

The reply was quick: "List sent. Focus on: Finance Committee Vice Chairman Councilor Moran'er, Judicial Committee Senior Consultant Leisilai, and former Foreign Minister Keerke. Warning: These individuals are all under close surveillance, and contact risk is high."

Yingzhou received the list and browsed it quickly.

Councilor Moran'er, sixty-four years old, in charge of war budget approval, has voted against increasing military spending in the last three instances.

Consultant Leisilai, seventy-one years old, a veteran of the legal field, has publicly criticized Valken's "Emergency State Law."

Former Foreign Minister Keerke, eighty-two years old, retired but still influential, advocates for "political resolution of disputes."

Very good.

He needed to manufacture a "chance encounter."

Three o'clock in the afternoon, Central Library.

When Yingzhou walked into the library, he found there were not many readers, mostly scholars or students, but there were also a few people in formal attire whispering in a private reading room.

According to intelligence, Councilor Moran'er spent two hours here every Wednesday afternoon; this was his personal habit, which had lasted for twenty years.

He would sit by the window in the historical documents section, reading books unrelated to economics, usually ancient philosophy or poetry, as a brief escape from busy government affairs.

Yingzhou strolled among the bookshelves, pretending to look for information.

His eyes swept over the reading area and quickly found the target.

A Fengqi male wearing a dark blue government uniform sat alone by the window, a thick paper book spread open in front of him.

He looked more exhausted than in his public photos, and there were deep wrinkles around the Third Eye on his forehead, traces left by long-term frowning.

Councilor Moran'er.

Yingzhou took a book about ancient Fengqi war history from the shelf and walked to a seat three spots away from Moran'er to sit down.

A few minutes later, the opportunity came.

Moran'er stood up, seemingly to go to the restroom or get water.

His seat was temporarily empty, and the open book was still on the table.

Yingzhou stood up quickly and "accidentally" knocked his book over as Moran'er passed by.

The book fell to the floor, making a sound that was neither too loud nor too soft.

"Sorry."

Yingzhou immediately bent down to pick up the book, while ensuring his movements blocked Moran'er's path.

Moran'er stopped and glanced at him with his Third Eye.

"It's fine."

Yingzhou picked up the book, straightened up, and put on an expression of surprise at recognizing the other person.

"Councilor Moran'er? Sorry, I didn't notice it was you."

Creating a minor conflict first, then expressing recognition and respect, could break the Barrier between strangers.

Moran'er's Third Eye narrowed slightly, evaluating Yingzhou.

"Do we know each other?"

"I am Corporal Kolan Weike, Adjutant to the Saladin Family. Today I am accompanying Major Alan Saladin Weike to the council to testify. I have seen your portrait in the corridor."

Mentioning the Saladin Family and Alan's name, Moran'er's expression changed slightly.

"Major Alan..."

He repeated the name.

"I heard he was testifying today, regarding the safety issues of the Pure Eye. Very brave, especially after... what happened to his sister."

The topic naturally turned to the attack incident.

"Miss Lina was an excellent person."

Yingzhou said, his tone carrying appropriate sadness.

"The Major is determined to finish her work."

Moran'er was silent for a moment, then said.

"Please tell the Major that some people in the council admire his courage. But also remind him... be careful. The current situation is very complicated."

"Are you referring to the war situation?"

Yingzhou asked, following the lead.

Moran looked around to confirm that no one was paying attention to their conversation.

"The war is only the surface."

He lowered his voice.

"The real danger is internal. When a ship begins to sink, the people on board will fight each other for the lifeboats. We are on that ship right now."

Yingzhou understood the deep meaning behind this: Moran believed the Feng Qi Xing Alliance was already doomed to fail, and the current question was to what extent they would fail, and who would hold power afterward.

"Do you believe the ship will sink?"

Yingzhou asked.

Moran stared at him for a few seconds, and finally said.

"Some things are not suitable to be said here. But as a soldier, you should know the true situation on the front lines better than the average person. Where the fleets of Horus and Jaghatai, as well as the other primarchs, have reached, how fast they are advancing, and how great our losses are... these numbers do not lie."

He paused for a moment and added.

"Tell Major Alan that if he wants to discuss... more long-term issues, he can contact my office. But be cautious; current communications are not secure."

"I will pass it on."

Yingzhou nodded.

Moran said nothing more, nodded, and walked toward the direction of the restroom.

Yingzhou returned to his seat and continued "reading" that book on war history.

Time was running out.

According to the war reports, the speed of the advance by Horus and Jaghatai meant the Feng Qi Xing Alliance might only have a few weeks, at most a month, left.

He needed to accelerate the investigation process and learn about the Mirror Rift Project being researched by the Feng Qi Xing Alliance.

Yingzhou closed the book and left the library.

Evening was approaching outside.

He contacted the other Kalidusi assassins scattered across the planet via an encrypted channel.

"All units pay attention, initiate the first phase of the 'Public Opinion Guidance' protocol.

Focus area: emphasize the cost of war and question the feasibility of continued resistance."

Yingzhou checked the time: 6:20 PM. Alan's testimony should be nearing its end, or he was currently being questioned by the committee members.

He needed to return to the vicinity of the Parliament Building to wait for Alan to come out, then exchange information and adjust the subsequent plan.