Chapter 1300: Interrogation After Returning

In the evening, the banquet hall of the Diplomatic Committee building.

The long dining table was laden with traditional delicacies of the Daikong Star Alliance: roasted beast meat, stews, fresh fruit, various desserts, and fine wine aged for many years.

Kewake sat at the head of the table, Aolana sat to his right, and Tuowake sat to his left.

Other officials and the returning diplomats sat in order.

Vitas raised his wine glass.

"Come, let us toast to Ms. Aolana and her delegation! Welcome home!"

Everyone echoed in unison and drank together.

Aolana set down her glass and looked at Vitas.

"Lord Vitas, I heard you secured quite a few conditions for us?"

Vitas smiled.

"Not at all. It was Commissioner Kewake's capable leadership, General Serafen's support from behind the scenes, and Doctor Tailanisi providing technical support. I merely ran errands."

Serafen gave a huff.

"Vitas, when did you learn to be humble?"

Everyone laughed.

Tailanisi looked at Tuowake.

"Academician Tuowake, while at the Xiuluo Holy Star Alliance, did you see any of their scientific research facilities?"

Tuowake thought for a moment.

"I did not."

Tailanisi fell into Silence.

Serafen asked.

"What about their military technology? Did you see any?"

Tuowake shook his head.

"No. They would not let us near the military zones. But I suspect their military technology is likely more advanced than their civilian technology."

Serafen's expression darkened.

Kewake raised his wine glass.

"Alright, let's not talk about this today. Today is a day for celebration. Come, let's have another drink."

Everyone raised their glasses.

Aolana held her glass, looking at the red liquid inside.

Then, she drained the wine in one gulp.

The next morning, the mist over Olivia had not yet dispersed.

Aolana woke up early.

The doorbell rang.

Aolana walked to the entrance and opened the door.

Standing outside was a young man in a gray uniform, his three eyes devoid of any expression.

Pinned to his chest was the badge of the Intelligence Department.

"Ms. Aolana."

The young man bowed slightly.

"Minister Zuola requests your presence at the Intelligence Department building; there are some questions that need to be confirmed."

Aolana's expression did not change at all.

She had long anticipated this day.

"Now?"

"Yes. The vehicle is already waiting at the door."

Aolana nodded.

"Give me five minutes."

She closed the door and walked back into the house.

Her mother was still in the kitchen preparing breakfast and poked her head out upon hearing the commotion.

"Aolana? It's so early, who is it?"

Aolana put on her coat and straightened her collar.

"Someone from the Intelligence Department. They said there are some things they need to ask."

"Haven't they already confirmed your identity? What else is there to ask?"

Aolana walked over and took her mother's hand.

"Standard procedure. After being detained for so long, they have to confirm things. It's nothing."

Her mother wanted to say more, but ultimately just nodded.

"Come back early. I'll save you some breakfast."

Aolana smiled.

"Okay."

She turned and left. The door closed behind her.

On the street below, a black hover-car was parked at the entrance.

Aolana got into the car.

The door closed, and the hover-car drove silently away from the East District.

The Intelligence Department building is located in the North District of the capital city; it is a gray-white square structure with no decorations on its outer walls.

The hovercar drove into the underground parking lot and stopped at the designated spot.

Aolana got out of the car and saw another identical black hovercar driving in from another entrance.

The person sitting in that car should be Tuowake.

An Intelligence Officer came up to greet her.

"Ms. Aolana, please come with me."

Aolana followed her into the elevator.

The elevator moved downward, the indicator lights jumping floor by floor.

It finally stopped at the third basement level.

The door opened to reveal a long corridor.

On both sides of the corridor were tightly closed metal doors, each with a number on it.

The Intelligence Officer stopped in front of one of the doors and pushed it open.

"Please, come in."

There was only a table and two chairs in the room.

On the table sat a glass of water, and next to it was a small Holographic Recorder.

Aolana sat down in the chair.

"Where is Minister Zuola?"

The Intelligence Officer did not answer; she simply closed the door and left.

Aolana was left alone in the room.

She sat quietly, her face devoid of any unnecessary expression.

After waiting for about five minutes, the door opened.

Zuola walked in.

She was wearing the dark gray uniform of the Intelligence Department, sat down opposite Aolana, and placed a thick file on the table.

"Ms. Aolana, sorry to have kept you waiting."

Aolana nodded slightly.

"It's fine. I understand."

Zuola looked at her and remained in Silence for a few seconds.

"Ms. Aolana, you were detained for a very long time. We want to know what you experienced during this period. Not diplomatic rhetoric, not an official report. The real situation."

Aolana asked.

"What kind of real situation?"

Zuola said.

"Did the people of the Xiuluo Holy Star Alliance try to turn you? Did anyone propose cooperation to you? Did anyone hint that if you were willing to cooperate, you could be released early?"

Aolana's expression did not change at all.

"No. They just kept us locked up. We had food and shelter, and there was no abuse. But no one came to talk to us, and no one proposed any conditions."

Zuola's brows furrowed slightly.

"Nothing at all?"

Aolana nodded.

"Nothing at all. We were held in a facility in the north of the Xiuluo Holy Star, with guards, walls, and barbed wire. But no one came to interrogate us, no one came to turn us, and no one came to propose any conditions."

She paused.

"We didn't even know what was happening outside. We didn't know the Star Alliance was negotiating, and we didn't know what conditions Guilliman had proposed. Not until the guards told us we could go."

Zuola was in Silence for a few seconds, then asked in return.

"Don't you find that strange?"

Aolana looked at her.

"Strange how?"

Zuola said.

"The Xiuluo Holy Star Alliance went to such great lengths to detain you, yet they did nothing. No interrogation, no turning, no exchange of conditions. They just kept you locked up, then let you go. Don't you think that is contrary to reason?"

"Perhaps they felt we had no value."

Zuola shook her head.

"You are the diplomatic mission of the Daikong Star Alliance. The person in charge is one of the most senior Diplomats of the Star Alliance, and the members include Academicians from the Academy of Sciences. How could you possibly have no value?"

Aolana did not answer.

Zuola continued.

"Who is Guilliman? The Primarch of the Ultramarines. Would he do something meaningless?"

"Minister Zuola, are you suspecting us?"

Zuola did not evade the question.

"It is not suspicion. It is confirmation. You were detained for so long; now that you have returned, we need to confirm that you are still the same people you were. That you haven't been turned, haven't been replaced, and haven't brought back anything you shouldn't have."