Chapter 194 They Are Here
He has walked about twenty miles., I couldn't help but feel a little breathless. As if to test the pilgrims, this stairway paved with white hard stone has always been difficult to walk on. At the end of this long staircase is the sacred Losar Memorial Hall.
On both sides of the road stood the legendary warriors from thousands of years ago, Lothar's companions. Their names were engraved in front of each statue. The air was filled with the faint aroma of incense, and a group of choir boys in long robes were singing the songs of heroes loudly on the roadside.
Several passers-by were whispering beside the stairs, with worried looks on their faces, because everyone knew what Hope Township was about to face.
Beven paused to catch his breath, his fur shining in the sun. A passing slug lady handed him a bunch of kusu grass. "Blessed by the light of the star fountain!"
"Blessed by the light of the Star Spring," Bevin said as he took the kusu grass. This was kusu grass that was soaked with morning dew. Throwing the kusu grass into the incense burner in front of the Losar Memorial Hall would complete the memorial ceremony.
Ms. Slug asked, "Did you get here from another city?"
"Yes." Bevin nodded. "I've actually never been here before."
"Go up. This is where everyone who comes to Hope Township should come."
A sharp voice suddenly sounded. "What's the point of going to the memorial hall now?" The speaker was a irritable male Homo sapiens, "We are all doomed anyway!! We are all going to die!!"
"Please do not make any noise in this sacred place," said Ms. Slug.
"What will happen if we make a loud noise? Can Lothar come out of the underground?" the sapiens shouted, "Those rich and powerful officials wanted to run, but none of them escaped. I saw that the airport was crowded with returning ships. Those monsters have sealed us in here!! We are all doomed!!"
Bevin walked up to him. He was quite tall and strong, and he immediately overwhelmed him with his momentum. He showed his sharp claws and said, "Be quiet."
The other party shrank his neck, turned and left.
"Thank you." Ms. Slug thanked him, "Fellow tribesman of Lothar."
Beven is a fox man. When he was on other planets in the galaxy, most aliens were suspicious of the fox man's "notorious" cunningness. Only in Hope Town, he was welcomed everywhere. The people of Hope Town treated the fox man well for Lothar. Although he had only been here for a few years, he had already fallen deeply in love with Hope Town.
But a few days ago, he heard some rumors. At first, he thought these rumors were very stupid and ridiculous, and they might even be hyped by some unscrupulous merchants, but soon more than one of his familiar friends talked about this terrifying topic, and they lowered their voices and talked about those terrible aliens in a terrified tone. In the following days, the rumors became more and more exaggerated, and his business became worse and worse. People began to flee, and familiar shops and chambers closed one after another. And those spacecraft that flew out either disappeared or were intercepted by the outposts on the orbit.
Everything is moving towards the most terrible truth.
They all said Hope Township was doomed.
After closing his shop, Bevin remembered that he had never been to the Losar Memorial Hall in all his years in Hope Township, so he came here today.
He looked up at the solemn and majestic memorial hall at the top of the stairs. The Asaph glass of the memorial hall shone brilliantly under the golden red skylight, blending into the picturesque sky. At that moment, Bevin suddenly felt a kind of sadness touched by this beautiful scenery. Lothar, his fellow tribesman thousands of years ago, brought miracles and hope, and liberated this beautiful planet from the hands of the World Honored Company. But now, where are the miracles and hope?
Then he heard a rumbling sound, like a long chant echoing in the sky.
"It's a spaceship," said Ms. Slug.
In the sky, several beautiful warships passed through the clouds and glided gracefully towards the space port not far away. They were magnificent, and their streamlined structures gradually appeared above the clouds. The largest warship was decorated with the scarlet emblem of the Eye of Supervision.
"It's a warship!! It's reinforcements!" a passerby suddenly shouted excitedly.
Ms. Slug stared at it intently. "It's the Expanse of the Overwatch."
"We have reinforcements!!" another passerby shouted excitedly.
A brave reinforcement to come at this hour, Beven thought, but there were only three of them.
Reinforcements of three warships and one civilian spaceship.
Hope Township is about to end.
Looking down from orbit, bright and shining light is spreading from the surface of Hope. There are vast mountain ranges in the western hemisphere that are dark and dull, like dark scars on this beautiful planet. Xiaozhen has read the description of this mountain range in a book. This barren, undulating mountain range is a mystery. It has a mysterious shielding force field that can interfere with electromagnetic and other energy fields. Today's technological products are almost unusable in this mountain range.
The planet of Hope, formerly known as Asaph, is shrouded in mystery. When the Galactic Federation first discovered this planet thousands of years ago, various evidences showed that there were traces of civilization on the planet, but the owner of the civilization on the planet was nowhere to be found. The original intelligent life of the natives of Asaph disappeared without a trace. Archaeologists are also unable to speculate what happened on this planet. Was it a large-scale natural disaster, or was it a spontaneous migration of the ancient natives?
The original history of Hope Township is a mystery.
With the slight vibration of the deck, the Zekin followed the Space Infinity into the space orbit. A large number of warships have been arranged around the space orbit of Hope Township. This is the original space garrison of Hope Township. The Ash Iron Guards led by Captain Xia that they met before were also among them. The steel shells of most of the Ash Iron Guards ships were crisscrossed with battle scars. The outer area of Hope Township's orbit is a star network of murderous intent. Space fortress stations, minefields, nuclear power launch platforms and other facilities almost fill the airspace outside all the warships. Xiaozhen only took a glance and felt the determination of Hope Township to defend to the end. Warships shuttled back and forth in the defense network, like a torrent of steel.
"Look at this defensive arrangement." Zhang Fei said, "I think...hmm..."
Jia Moer quickly stuffed biscuits into Zhang Fei's mouth, and asked with a smile: "Is it delicious? Come on, eat more. Eat more!!"
“Mmm!!! Mmm…”
Although Xiao Zhen knew that the Crow's Mouth and other things were superstitious pseudoscience, he was happy to see what Gamorre did.
Ms. Fei said softly, "We will land soon."
Yes, Hope Township, here we come.
The landing craft entered the landing track, and the bright port city, Muli City, was getting closer and closer to them. Because of the Eye of Oversight, they now had Countless ships quietly waiting passed by them, and they passed through the magnificent buildings that pierced the sky without any obstacles. Beautiful glass buildings flashed colorful psychedelic colors, which was the most hopeful urban scene. The tallest tower was called the Asa Glass Tower, which was the tallest building in the area. These extraordinary and magnificent buildings were made of Asa glass made from local mineral pyroxene. As the landing craft slowly descended, they seemed to be embraced by the rising and falling tower glass, and fell into a vivid and colorful dream.
In the thousand years since Hope was liberated, people have built cities one after another on the planet. The port city of Hope is the earliest and largest city today. It has received countless foreigners who came to Hope to pursue their dreams, and has grown up in people's dreams and sweat. Muli is the proof of Hope's hope.
After actually landing on land, the urgency of war hit us head-on.
The landing site was full of troop carriers, with vehicles carrying fully armed soldiers constantly traveling on the avenue, and speedboat transport ships speeding on the aerial tracks. From time to time, soldiers wearing exoskeleton armor marched past them in formation, with a fox head emblem adorning their armor, symbolizing that they were the Lothar Honor Corps stationed in Hope Township.
They were received by General Tang of the Lothar Glory Corps and the planetary governor Jiang Dan. Xiao Zhen and Roken M89 were taken directly into the conference room as the attendants of Inspector General Illian.
General Tang was a cyan-skinned Gnus man with a determined look in his eyes and simple clothes. The planetary governor, Jiang Dan, was a capable female lizardman. When she was describing the current situation to Inspector General Illian, her tail would slap the ground from time to time. Xiao Zhen suspected that she would smash a hole in the floor of the conference room in the next second.
"The situation is very bad." General Tang clicked on the holographic screen, and lines of data jumped rapidly. "According to the data obtained by our intelligence department, we will be facing an unprecedented Izel alien invasion fleet."
Ilian said solemnly: "This is obvious."
"All long-distance communications have been blocked and interfered with, and all the rescue speedboats we sent out have lost contact. This is a war without galactic reinforcements."
"I already know this."
"According to our calculations, the defensive deployment in orbit will be breached within two to three days of the formal attack," General Tang declared.
"And then what?"
"After breaking through the orbital defense circle, they will land and invade directly. We believe that their primary target is here." General Tang drew a circle on the screen, "Muri City."
Governor Jiang Dan said, "We will concentrate most of our forces in Muli City to resist the invasion of these damn monsters."
"Why do you think Muli is the primary target?"
"From the information we have, these aliens cannot be understood by common sense. They are heartless and exist only to kill. Muli is the largest and most important hub of our Hope Township. It has an important geographical location and is the entrance to the Tita Mountains. It is also the most populous city. This is enough to attract the attention of these monsters."
Xiao Zhen heard the bitterness and determination in her tone, and focused on guarding Muli City, which meant that they almost gave up most of the city, but this was also their last struggle in desperation.
After briefly understanding the situation, Captain Xia, who had been standing silently aside, suddenly said: "Sir Ilian, you sent Inspector Sheying away, right?" Just as Inspector Sheying said, after she was separated from Sheying, she brought the remaining fleet to Hope Town, but did not want to enter the battlefield directly.
"Actually, he was sent to ask for help."
"Call for help. By the time Inspector Sheying brought the reinforcements, Hope Township was gone." Captain Xia said coldly, "It's a good thing you didn't bring him here to die."
Ilian taunted, "Captain Xia, do you think coming here is a way to die?"
"No," Captain Xia replied, "We must fulfill our duties until we die."
Inspector General Illian did not speak, because his will was the same as Captain Xia's. Even if the Eye of Supervision and the Security Committee were irreconcilable enemies, they could only fight side by side against the great enemy of the galaxy.
After a brief introduction, the governor of Hope Township, Jiang Dan, announced that a pre-war strategic meeting would be held soon, and all commanders would be present. They would stay up all night for various strategic deployments. Xiao Zhen quickly seized the opportunity before the meeting and expressed his small personal request to the governor.
"Imperfect?" Jiang Dan looked at Xiao Zhen, her scaly face full of tiredness and anxiety.
"He's looking for his friend," said Illian.
In the face of Inspector General Yilian, Governor Jiang Dan gave him a special permission. Xiao Zhen walked out of the meeting room.
He walked through the long corridor of the Governor's Mansion. Government clerks and soldiers kept coming towards him. Every alien was in a hurry. He squeezed in and out of the busy crowd. Finally, he stood in front of a brown wooden door as directed.
There was a long line of people in front of the gate.
The guard at the door stopped him and said, "Do you have an appointment? Mayor Child is not seeing guests right now."
Xiaozhen showed him Governor Jiang Dan's permission.
"It's the third room after entering the corridor. Knock three times before going in. You only have one number of minutes (five Earth minutes)." The guard opened the door, and Xiao Zhen walked in amid the dissatisfied protests of a group of messengers, chamber of commerce representatives, citizens and other people who came to see him, asking "Why was he allowed to go in?"
Child, the mayor of Muli City, is an obese male Homo sapiens. When Xiao Zhen stepped into the room, he was buried in the holographic data that filled the room.
The mayor was sweating profusely, his hands constantly processing floating data and issuing instructions one after another on the communication channel. Xiaozhen only listened for a while and felt a headache.
The mayor is on a conference call with the city's medical department to discuss the allocation of medical resources , the preparation of wartime medical personnel, and the evacuation and treatment of civilians. Contingency plans in case the Izel alien spreads an uncontrollable infection. Medical resources provided to the troops. Resources invested in the makeshift field hospital. Medical students are currently being requisitioned to join the volunteer medical team, but parents are protesting for the safety of their children, accusing the government of violating the students' human rights by requisitioning them.
Finally, after a call was over, Mayor Childe raised his head. His eyes were sunken and bloodshot, with dark circles under his eye bags. "What's the matter, Governor Jiang Dan?"
Xiao Zhen immediately stated his request.
"The Impeccable?" Mayor Childs repeated dully.
"Yes, I'm looking for my friend..."
"By the light of Xingquan!! You came to me for this? Looking for someone? Looking for your friend? Do you know how many ships crash every day? Do you know how many people flee and go missing every day? Do you know how many people cry and shout at the government every day to ask for someone?" Mayor Childe shouted, "Do you know how many things I have to deal with now? Food supply, material supply, medical resources and other trivial matters, and now there are even parents making trouble. Does the Governor think I have eighty hands?"
Another call came in, "Mayor, the merchants from the Giant Spirit Chamber of Commerce are holding a petition rally."
"What the hell is going on?"
“They are not happy about the site being requisitioned for the field hospital.”
Pop. Mayor Child cut off the channel. Xiao Zhen felt that he wanted to climb up the window and jump off the tall building.
The communication channel beeped one after another.
"Mayor, the port has also received a complaint. Two merchant ships collided. Please take a look at the list of casualties..."
"The youth militia guards formed by the students of the academy clashed with the parents' rally."
"Mayor, mayor, something bad has happened. The warehouse in the Toye District has caught fire. Those who fear war are collectively setting themselves on fire."
"mayor!!"
Mayor Child raised his bloodshot, tired eyes and said in a hoarse voice, "See? No matter which big shot sent you, I don't have time to find someone for you."
"I am the Supervisor's Eye..."
"Overwatch? Damn it." Mayor Child quickly wrote something on the screen, then handed him a data pad. "You have my permission, go directly to the Control Bureau. Now, immediately, get out of here!"
After thanking the mayor, Xiao Zhen quickly left the suffocating room.
Roken M89 was waiting for him in the passage. Xiao Zhen asked, "Is the strategic meeting over there over?"
"No, they will open all night." Roken M89 replied, "There is not much time left."
"Shark tooth."
"Please go ahead."
"My seven hundred million." Xiao Zhen looked at Roken M89, "Can he really come back?"
"Please rest assured." Roken M89 said calmly, "Although the distance restriction has been lifted, the constraints of the micro-bombs are still there. We, the Eye of Supervision, will keep our promise and reward you after the incident is over."
That would require him to survive to the end. And Roken M89 was obviously hiding something from him. He didn't care about the secrets of the Eye of Supervision. Being able to bring his friends home alive had become his only wish now. Xiao Zhen thought to himself. He looked up at the sky, and at this time the sky was getting dark, and a beautiful and brilliant spectacle was appearing. Countless stars flowed as if being sucked into a whirlpool, casting a thousand-foot halo.
"That is..."
"Star Fountain." said Roken M89.
Without warning, the alarm sounded in the space orbital port, and then the bell on the tallest Asa glass tower in the city of Muli rang. In front of the Asa glass tower stood the statue of Lady Muli, who quietly listened to the warning of war under the light of the Star Fountain.
The alarm bells spread all over Hope Township. At that moment, weapons factories, companies, governments, mining areas, schools, and hospitals were all silent. People in Hope Township ran to the streets, and they all looked up at the sky. The fire of battle was flickering in front of the Star Fountain, and small sparks burst and extinguished. After half a day, this fire will tear the atmosphere and dye the night sky red. This is the light of death.
People exchanged frightened glances with each other, and the streets were as silent as death.
The Izel alien fleet is coming.
They have arrived.
