Chapter 1296: Border Inspection

3:00 AM, Xiuluo Standard Time.

The lights in the accommodation facility had already been extinguished.

Twenty-three Daikong people returned to their respective rooms, entering dreamland with anticipation for tomorrow.

No one heard the footsteps in the corridor.

E-11, leading twenty-two assassins, passed through the corridor in silence.

"Team One, first floor. Team Two, second floor. Team Three, third floor."

E-11's voice was transmitted into everyone's ears via their Communication Device.

"Fifteen minutes. Leave no trace."

Twenty-three figures dispersed silently.

Second floor, Aolana's room.

Aolana was not asleep.

She lay on the bed, staring at the ceiling, her conversation with Tuowake from the day echoing repeatedly in her mind.

She did not know what she was waiting for, but her intuition told her that something would happen tonight.

The door slid open silently.

Aolana sat up abruptly, her eyes wide.

A gray figure stood at the doorway.

"Who are you?!"

The gray figure did not answer.

She walked into the room, her pace unhurried, as if she were taking a stroll.

Aolana wanted to scream, wanted to run, but her body would not obey her.

An invisible force pressed down on her, leaving her unable to move.

The gray figure walked up to her and looked down at her.

Those eyes were as calm as water yet filled with killing intent.

"Aolana. Senior Diplomat of the Daikong Star Alliance, head of the mission. Served in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for one hundred and twenty years, fluent in three languages, skilled in crisis management."

Aolana's pupils contracted violently.

"How... how do you know..."

The gray figure did not answer.

She raised her right hand, her fingertips pressing against Aolana's forehead.

"You will sleep for a while. After you wake up, you will remember nothing."

Aolana wanted to struggle, wanted to shout, but that invisible force grew stronger and stronger.

Her vision began to blur, and her consciousness began to scatter.

At the very last moment before losing consciousness, she saw that face begin to change.

Light gray skin, every part of it turning into her own appearance.

Then, everything returned to darkness.

First floor, Tuowake's room.

Tuowake was not asleep either.

Aolana's words kept echoing in his mind, making him unable to fall asleep.

He sat by the bed, his eyes fixed on the doorway.

The door was opened.

Tuowake stood up.

"Who?!"

A gray figure walked in.

Tuowake took a step back, hitting the wall.

"What... what are you doing?"

The gray figure did not answer.

He simply walked up to Tuowake, raised his right hand, and pressed his fingertips against his forehead.

Tuowake wanted to push him away, but his arms could not be raised.

"We... cannot go back..."

He muttered, his voice growing lower and lower.

Then, everything returned to darkness.

Fifteen minutes later.

Twenty-three gray figures returned to the corridor in silence.

E-11 stood at the stairwell, listening to the confirmation signals coming through the Communication Device.

"Team One complete."

"Team Two complete."

"Team Three complete."

She nodded.

"Begin extraction. Leave here in twenty-four hours."

Twenty-three figures dispersed silently once again.

Twenty-four hours later.

Temporary accommodation facility, first-floor lobby.

Twenty-three "Daikong" stood in a line.

They wore the diplomatic uniforms of the Daikong Star Alliance, their eyes flickering with just the right amount of anticipation and nervousness.

e-11 stood at the very front; at this moment, she was "Aolana."

She looked at "Tuowake" beside her, then looked at the twenty-one "Diplomat" and attendants behind her, and nodded slightly.

"Remember your identities. Remember your Task. From now on, you are the diplomatic mission of the Daikong Star Alliance. You were detained for a long time and have finally been released. You are very happy, very excited, and very eager to go home. As for anything else, you know nothing."

Twenty-two people nodded in unison.

e-11 turned and walked toward the door.

"Let's go. Home."

The door opened.

Sunlight spilled in, shining on the faces of the twenty-three Daikong.

They squinted their eyes, revealing long-lost smiles.

Outside the door, Guilliman stood there, watching these "Daikong Diplomat."

"Ms. Aolana. You are free. The Daikong Star Alliance has already sent a ship to pick you up. In three days, you will be able to go home."

"Aolana" bowed slightly, her three eyes full of gratitude.

"Lord Guilliman, thank you for your mercy. And thank you for the hospitality of the Xiuluo Holy Star Alliance."

The corners of Guilliman's mouth lifted slightly.

"You're welcome. Have a safe journey."

He turned and left.

Then she turned, facing the twenty-two people behind her.

"Let's go. Home."

Southern border of the Xiuluo Holy Star, Seventh Fortress Star of the Imperial Fists.

The designation of this planet on the star map: F-7-221.

It was originally a desolate rocky planet, with no water and no life.

But after Dorn took over the defense of the southern border, this planet was transformed into a massive military Fortress.

The entire surface of the planet was covered with defensive fortifications, Orbital Defense Platform, ground Anti-Air Cannon, underground ammunition depots, and fortress-style barracks.

Any unauthorized ship that approached would be locked onto immediately.

At this moment, a medium-sized Transport Ship of the Xiuluo Holy Star Alliance was approaching the F-7-221 star.

The ship was not large, about two hundred meters long, gray all over, and without any markings.

It departed from the Xiuluo Holy Star, passed through several jumps, and finally arrived at the last stop of the southern border.

Past this point was the border of the Daikong Star Alliance.

In the Bridge, "Aolana" stood before the viewing window, looking at the Steel planet drawing closer in the distance.

The defensive density of this Fortress star far exceeded her expectations.

There were at least twenty defensive platforms in orbit, each equipped with Heavy Laser Cannon capable of piercing the armor of a Capital Ship.

The Anti-Air Cannon on the ground were even more densely packed, covering every possible landing point.

"Ms. Aolana."

The captain walked over and nodded slightly.

"We are about to enter the defensive zone of the Imperial Fists. According to the rules, all ships passing through the southern border must undergo inspection by Lord Dorn."

"Aolana" turned and looked at him.

"Inspection? Our ship has already been inspected."

The captain shook his head.

"That was the inspection of the Xiuluo Holy Star. This is the southern border; Lord Dorn has his own rules. Any ship, anyone, must pass through his checkpoint before they can leave."

"Understood. We will cooperate."

The captain nodded and returned to the command console.

The Transport Ship slowly decelerated and headed toward the orbital inspection station on the outskirts of the Fortress star.

The orbital inspection station was located inside the main defensive platform of the Fortress star.

It was a structure over twenty kilometers in diameter, its exterior covered with heavy armor plating and filled with various sensors and weapon systems.

The entrance to the inspection station was a narrow passage, with dense rows of gun muzzles on both sides; any ship attempting to force its way through would be torn to pieces in an instant.

The Transport Ship stopped at the entrance.

A serious voice came through the Communication Device.

"Unidentified ship, please state your identity."

The captain pressed the communication button.

"This is Xiuluo Holy Star Alliance Transport Ship T-347, carrying the Daikong Star Alliance diplomatic mission, cleared for passage by the Emperor. Requesting to pass through the southern border."

"Understood, wait for inspection."