Chapter 1302: Pirates of the Shattered Star Belt

One week later, Kewake announced the new appointments for Aolana and Tuowake at the Supreme Diplomatic Committee.

Aolana was promoted to Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, responsible for subsequent negotiations with the Xiuluo Holy Star Alliance.

Tuowake was appointed as Deputy Director of the Institute of Psionic Physics at the Academy of Sciences, responsible for a new research project.

As the news spread, there was an uproar within the Star Alliance.

Some felt this was a reward for Loyalty, while others felt it was a recognition of ability.

Latin met Aolana in the corridor and said in a low voice.

"Congratulations, Deputy Minister."

Aolana shook her head.

"It is not a congratulation. It is a responsibility."

Latin asked.

"Are you afraid?"

Aolana looked at him.

"Afraid of what?"

Latin said.

"Afraid of not doing well. Afraid of letting people down. Afraid of... failing the trust."

Aolana was in Silence for a second.

"Not afraid."

Latin asked.

"Why?"

Aolana said.

"Because what I do is the same as before. Negotiating, communicating, and maintaining the interests of the Star Alliance. No matter how the position changes, the work remains the same."

"You are right."

Aolana patted his shoulder.

"Go get busy."

Latin nodded and turned to leave.

Aolana stood in the corridor, looking at the sky of Olivia outside the window.

That evening, the lights were still on in Zuola's office.

She sat at the desk with the latest files on Aolana and Tuowake in front of her. She had read them countless times; every line of text, every number, was etched in her heart.

The door was knocked on gently.

"Come in."

A young Intelligence Officer walked in, holding a new report in his hand.

"Minister, Deputy Minister Aolana officially took office today. Her first day of work was familiarizing herself with documents; there were no anomalies. Deputy Director Tuowake spent six hours in the laboratory today checking previous research data; there were no anomalies either."

Zuola took the report and scanned it quickly.

"What about their colleagues? Any reactions?"

The Intelligence Officer said.

"The colleagues are all very happy. Aolana is well-liked in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and everyone likes her. Tuowake's students are also excited, saying that now that the teacher is back, the research can continue."

Zuola was in Silence for a few seconds.

"Does anyone think they are acting strange?"

The Intelligence Officer thought for a moment.

"No. Everyone says they are the same as before. Their way of speaking and their style of doing things have not changed."

Zuola leaned back in her chair and repeated in a low voice.

"The same as before."

"Minister, are you still doubting them?"

Zuola did not answer.

Then she said.

"Go down. Continue to observe."

"Yes!"

Territory of the Xiuluo Holy Star Alliance, Shattered Star Belt.

This star region is located on the former eastern border of the Feng Qi Xing Alliance, stretching for dozens of light-years, composed of countless asteroids, dust clouds, and gas masses.

The light of the stars is filtered layer by layer here, leaving only a dark red glimmer.

In the core area of the Shattered Star Belt, there is an asteroid that pirates call the "Nest".

It is not large, with a diameter of only a dozen kilometers, but the interior has been hollowed out and converted into a massive Spaceport.

Thousands of pirate ships of all sizes are docked inside and outside the port.

This is the largest pirate stronghold in the entire Shattered Star Belt, the Nest of the Faithless.

At this moment, in the hall in the deepest part of the Nest, dozens of pirate leaders are sitting around a huge round table.

Their races are all different; there are gray-blue-skinned Feilin, Sota with four arms, Lizardman covered in scales, and several mutated individuals that look like some kind of Zerg.

In the main seat of the round table sits a burly Feilin.

His name is Waluoke, and he is the pirate leader with the greatest power in this Shattered Star Belt.

"You've all heard the news, right?"

Waluoke spoke up.

"The Xiuluo Holy Star Alliance is going to send people to wipe us out."

A burst of laughter erupted around the round table.

A Sota laughed while slapping the table.

"Wipe us out? Do they know how big the Shattered Star Belt is? Do they know how many asteroids are here? Do they know where our ships are hidden?"

A Lizardman licked his lips, revealing sharp teeth.

"The Feng Qi Xing Alliance has been trying to wipe us out for hundreds of years; have they succeeded? How much worse is their fleet compared to the Xiuluo Holy Star Alliance? No matter how strong the Xiuluo Holy Star Alliance is, once they enter the Shattered Star Belt, they will get lost and be hunted by us."

Waluoke's deputy sneered.

"Besides, they just finished a war. Although the Feng Qi Xing Alliance was destroyed, they also suffered significant losses themselves. Their fleet needs repairs, their soldiers need rest; where would they find the energy to deal with us?"

Waluoke took a puff of his cigar and slowly exhaled the smoke.

"You are all right. But there is one point you have forgotten."

The area around the round table fell silent.

Waluoke looked around at everyone present.

"The Xiuluo Holy Star Alliance is not the Feng Qi Xing Alliance. Their fleet is stronger, their soldiers are more elite, and their Commander is more ruthless. Furthermore, they are not stupid."

He paused.

"Since they dare to come, they must have a reason for coming."

A mutant let out a harsh hissing sound.

"A reason? What reason? Do they want to earn merit? Want to seize territory? Or do they want to establish their authority?"

Waluoke looked at him.

"Perhaps all of the above. But no matter the reason, we must be prepared."

The Lizardman asked.

"How do we prepare?"

Waluoke stubbed out his cigar on the table.

"First, strengthen reconnaissance. Send out every scout ship we can, and keep an eye on every entrance to the Shattered Star Belt. As soon as the Xiuluo Holy Star Alliance's fleet appears, I want to know immediately."

"Second, disperse and hide. Split all ships into small groups and hide them in every corner of the Shattered Star Belt. They might find one, but they won't find them all. If we can't hit the big ones, we hit the small ones."

"Third, joint operations. Regardless of any past grievances, from now on, everyone is an ally. The Xiuluo Holy Star Alliance is our common enemy. The enemy of an enemy is a friend."

A low murmur of discussion arose around the round table.