Zhao Chen and the others reached the Quicksand City Interstellar Fortress; their ships had been docked at the military starport only a few hours—
—when someone came with word that the high-ranking officer in charge of Quicksand City wished to receive them.
As representatives of the three fleets, Zhao Chen, Shen Bing, and Uncle Zheng Xiong rode together in a flying-car within the military starport, on their way to the meeting place.
"Never thought they'd be willing to see us so soon; I'd figured they'd drag it out three to five days at the least." Uncle Zheng Xiong sat in his seat, one leg crossed over the other.
Shen Bing sat in a corner seat, plainly a touch stiff and tense.
Zhao Chen, though, was much at ease; he even bantered with Uncle Zheng Xiong. "Uncle, going to meet them just like this— aren't you afraid the imperial military will simply silence us for good? That's the most convenient means, after all."
Uncle Zheng Xiong rolled his eyes. "Little brother, I've knocked about the stars this many years — you think I couldn't have thought of that? In truth, isn't it exactly this that we're after, wanting an explanation this time?"
As he said it, Uncle Zheng Xiong rubbed his fingers together.
"It's a shabby thing to do by those dead brothers, true. But what could be better than a pension fat enough for their families? On the imperial military's side, anything money can smooth over isn't a matter at all. By comparison, silencing us might well let this scandal of a task leak out — that's the least efficient way of handling the problem. Imperial-military officers aren't fool enough for that," Uncle Zheng Xiong said.
Zhao Chen and Uncle Zheng Xiong exchanged a knowing smile.
"But little brother — those ships of yours are no ordinary thing. I'd reckon the imperial military will take great interest in you." Uncle Zheng Xiong suddenly looked at Zhao Chen in earnest, and said in a low voice.
Zhao Chen nodded. "I know."
This much Zhao Chen understood well: the T2 Queen Bee-class Heavy Carrier Starship's star-shield tech, once exposed, would surely draw the notice of outsiders.
"I can vouch that my fleet's brothers won't leak word in the short term — but present on the field then were the imperial side's own interstellar transport fleet ships too. If they leak it, there'll be no few taking an interest in you. The reek of meat draws beasts who'll stop at nothing," Uncle Zheng Xiong said heavily.
"I'll see to that matter. Thank you for your concern, Uncle," Zhao Chen said gratefully.
Spend enough time with this uncle and one would find that, rough-hewn as his manner looked, he was a warm-hearted sort too, with a strong sense of loyalty.
Just then, the car stopped.
The car door opened; before them was the frontage of a fine, upscale restaurant.
Unexpectedly, the one standing at the door to greet them was neither a soldier nor an NCO.
But an officer, a golden single-star epaulette on his shoulders, watching Zhao Chen and the others with a smile all over his face.
"Well, I'll be — a one-star brigadier! I've knocked about the stars this many years and it's the first time I've seen a fellow with the 'pips.'" Uncle Zheng Xiong cried out.
As he got out of the car, Uncle Zheng Xiong went so far as to straighten his clothes, putting on a grave face.
"Little brother, this is a one-star brigadier. When you speak in a moment, mind your…"
Before Uncle Zheng Xiong could finish his cautioning, Zhao Chen had already gone striding over ahead of him.
The hell — this boy was more reckless than he himself was!
"Captain-Commander, sir — long time no see." The brigadier greeted Zhao Chen with a smile all over his face.
"You're that Little—" Zhao Chen looked at this familiar face before him.
"Just call me Little Song," the brigadier said.
Little Song?
Had Uncle Zheng Xiong had a cigarette between his lips just then, it would likely have dropped to the floor.
A one-star brigadier introducing himself to you — telling you to call him Little Song!
Naturally Zhao Chen wasn't so ignorant of manners as that; when a man introduces himself so, you can't truly address him that way.
"Brigadier Song, how is it you're here? Weren't you following that Miss Chu Xuan?" Zhao Chen asked, curious.
That was right — this brigadier before him who called himself Little Song—
—was the very one-star brigadier who'd trailed behind that Miss Chu Xuan in the cosmic-wormhole affair earlier.
"Owing to the earlier matter, the young miss was recalled to the family by the master; she'll likely not be coming out for a while. With the young miss back in the family, there was no more need for me to follow her. The master arranged a posting for me here at the Quicksand City Interstellar Fortress," Brigadier Song explained.
The master?
Don't underestimate this form of address.
The figure behind this "master" was none other than the Governor of the Chu River Star Region! That five-star marshal, the old lord.
"I happened to learn that this escort task was under your charge, Captain-Commander, and so I took on this reception task of my own accord. Gentlemen, please come in with me." Brigadier Song invited Zhao Chen and the others into the fine restaurant behind him.
Military starport though this was, high-ranking officers needed places of enjoyment too, and naturally such spots were not wanting.
Zhao Chen walked at Brigadier Song's side; Shen Bing and Uncle Zheng Xiong followed a touch stiffly behind.
Shen Bing watched Zhao Chen chatting away with that one-star brigadier as though they were ordinary friends.
It astonished her the more — this classmate who'd only buried himself in books for three years at the academy actually knew a one-star brigadier of the imperial military!
A one-star brigadier, after discharge, was a solidly enfeoffed noble!
Add to that the web of connections built within the imperial military, and his heft was beyond anything a down-and-out baron like Zhao Chen could compare with.
Yet here were two people of so vast a gap in station, laughing and talking together.
"You two, walk on this way and you'll reach a private room I've booked; go rest and dine there first. Mister Zhao Chen and I have some matters to talk over." Brigadier Song halted, looking with a smile at Shen Bing and Uncle Zheng Xiong behind him.
Smiles all, yet one could plainly feel—
—that the smile this brigadier wore facing them was of the professional sort, very cold!
"Fine, fine. You two talk; pay us no mind." Uncle Zheng Xiong could hardly wait to get some distance from this brigadier; were it not for settling the earlier escort-task matter, he'd have wanted to leave this place at once.
Following a brigadier about, he felt for all the world as though he were escorting a tiger!
Shen Bing, for her part, looked toward Zhao Chen, her eyes asking his meaning.
Without either quite marking it, Zhao Chen had already become her mainstay.
"You two go on ahead; we'll be along shortly," Zhao Chen said.
"Mm." Shen Bing nodded.
Shen Bing and Uncle Zheng Xiong walked off toward another corridor.
"Mister Zhao Chen, this way please." Brigadier Song invited Zhao Chen toward another corridor; one turn and they came to a small private room.
Within, some tea and refreshments had long since been readied.
Not so sumptuous as those aboard Zhao Chen's ship, of course, but of a level ordinary folk could only look up to and never reach.
"Please." Brigadier Song invited Zhao Chen to be seated.
Zhao Chen sat, looking at Brigadier Song across from him. "Brigadier Song, you sent them off on purpose — you have some important matter to discuss with me, then?"
"There are two small matters to discuss." The smile on Brigadier Song's face didn't waver.
Pouring tea for Zhao Chen as he spoke, he said, "The first, then — that is, the purpose you and your companions came for. Concerning this escort task you were charged with."
Zhao Chen looked at Brigadier Song, waiting on what he'd say next.
"This escort task, in fact, was not yours alone as an interstellar transport fleet. There were 30 interstellar transport fleets in all. And to this moment, only your interstellar transport fleet has reached the Quicksand City Interstellar Fortress safely." Brigadier Song related it with a smile.
But Zhao Chen caught the wrongness within it.
"And the other fleets?"
"Gone."