The joy and celebration brought by the large influx of supplies proved fleeting. To Ye Muo, it was like everyone around him became busy overnight.
People came and went constantly from the building. Soon, long tables stacked high with documents filled rooms other than the main hall. Even Theodore, who was just an auxiliary staff member, worked long hours every day.
Ambrose was an exception. He seemed determined to step back as leader, and the others didn’t ask him to participate either.
Ye Muo didn’t have any specific tasks assigned to him, so he was excluded as well.
Which meant the two of them had been keeping each other company these past few days.
Ye Muo really did want to help out though. So when Casper, Rika and Elias sat down at the table, he joined them.
They exchanged a discreet look with each other as soon as he approached. Even Ethan, who was speaking with Ambrose about something, glanced over.
Elias spread out the map, but instead of getting straight to the point as before, he pretended to be casually adjusting its edges.
Casper instinctively looked across at Ambrose, who shrugged. He was going to stay out of this.
Casper glanced at Ye Muo and fished a chocolate from his pocket. Tossing it in the air to catch his attention, he then flicked it Ye Muo’s way.
Ye Muo caught the chocolate with both hands and carefully tucked it in his pocket. He stood his ground, however.
Rika pulled a sheet of paper from the pile and handed it over. “Go have Ambrose fold you something to play with.”
Elias chuckled, “Ambrose has a knack for that. He even knows how to sculpt things. Maybe he could’ve been an artist if he wasn’t trapped here…”
Before Elias could elaborate, Rika was already nudging Ye Muo back towards Ambrose.
And so, with paper in hand, Ye Muo returned somewhat reluctantly to Ambrose’s side.
Ethan clicked his tongue and yanked Ye Muo over, plopping him onto a small stool beside Ambrose. He gave Ambrose a nod before hurrying away.
Ye Muo watched Ethan leave. “Where’s Ethan going?”
“He’s heading to another base. Don’t worry, it’s nothing dangerous.”
Though Ethan himself remained unaware, he had a unique part to play in the upcoming operation. Even Rika and Casper would have to yield to him. In case they failed again, at least one Grantz had to be left behind. Casper and Rika were too young, making Ethan the ideal candidate. He would lay low with the others, travel to the conception centres and raise a new generation of Grantz for the next opportunity.
It was a cruel fate in its own way for the man, which was why the others had been unusually tolerant toward him lately.
Ye Muo’s sudden appearance wasn’t part of their plan, of course, but it wasn’t necessarily a bad thing. It seemed that now, even if the worst came to pass, at least Ethan would have some company. Better than being left all alone.
“Ethan plucked a lot of Theodore’s fur out this morning…” Ye Muo grumbled.
“Oh no, how could he? I’ll make him apologize when he gets back.”
Ambrose withdrew his gaze and turned to regard Ye Muo with a hint of amusement. Ye Muo was also looking at him. He placed the sheet of paper on Ambrose’s lap seconds later.
Ambrose patiently folded the paper into a beetle-like insect before setting it neatly on Ye Muo’s lap.
Ye Muo pressed on the beetle’s back. “Did you learn this from a book?”
Ambrose smiled. “No, we don’t have such things here.”
Ye Muo looked up. “Then you figured it out yourself?”
“No, I’m not that clever. I learned it from a woman. Casper was fascinated by these things as a child. I used this trick all the time to calm him down. His tantrums were unbearable.”
Ye Muo looked down and pressed the beetle’s back. He watched it slowly spring back. “It reminds me of an insect I killed before.”
Ye Muo paused, then added, “When I was just starting to learn, one of the practice specimens looked just like this. It kept snarling even in captivity. Its mouthparts were coated in dried blood and bits of dried flesh. I think it must’ve devoured something earlier.”
Ambrose remained silent. He watched Ye Muo, who hesitated before continuing, “I was a bit afraid of it. Father said that, as long as I grip my sword tightly, there’s nothing to fear.”
“Looks like this wasn’t a suitable gift after all.”
Ambrose reached over to take the beetle back as he spoke. Just as his fingers touched the paper…
Ye Muo tightened his grip on the beetle. He met Ambrose’s gaze. “But I’ve learned how to grip my own sword by now.”
Ambrose gradually increased his strength, eventually prying the beetle from Ye Muo’s hands. He took it apart before swiftly folding the paper into a star.
Setting the new origami on Ye Muo’s lap, he ruffled the child’s hair. “Want to go for a stroll with me?”
Ambrose was already up and heading towards the door. He draped a coat over his shoulders as he walked at a leisurely pace.
Ye Muo tucked the star into his pocket before following.
Everyone in the base seemed to be in a hurry. Some were carrying rocks to reinforce the tower, which was the only emergency shelter here.
Ambrose led Ye Muo out of the base. They walked along the grassy plain bordering the forest.
The man gradually slowed to a stop. He looked up at the sky. It was especially clear today. You could catch a glimpse of the newly constructed port through the clouds.
The sky was filled with warships.
“The insect tide is coming.”
Ye Muo made a sound of acknowledgement. The frequency of isolated insect sightings had picked up recently. He scanned the distance warily, instinctively assessing blind spots where insects might lurk. He even considered using psychic power to confirm. The others would be none the wiser if he was careful.
His psychic power began to stir at the thought.
Ambrose placed a hand on his shoulder. “Don’t be too hasty, Xavier.”
Ye Muo looked up at him, puzzled.
“Bear with it for now. At least let us adults try first.”
Ye Muo suppressed his restless psychic power with a twinge of guilt. Strictly speaking, his unauthorized use of psychic power could be considered an affront to Ambrose. The Grantz were fiercely territorial. In Ambrose’s presence, the other Grantz tried their best to minimize any psychic activity.
Ambrose kept his hand on Ye Muo’s shoulder. A breeze ruffled through his coat and hair. “If only you’d been born later.”
Ye Muo lifted his head to meet his gaze.
Ambrose continued before he needed to ask, “Sooner or later, we will leave this place and put this twisted defense practice to rest in favour of something better. Then, humanity will no longer be troubled by insect invasion. They will be free to live on whichever planet they prefer and do as they wish. They won’t have to worry about their city being overrun with insects one day, and we’ll finally be able to set down our swords.”
Ye Muo’s eyes shone brightly. “You’re right, Ambrose. One day.”
Ambrose brushed Ye Muo’s hair back and nodded. “Then, even if you are a Grantz, you will be free.”
Not like now, where they were fated from birth to be warriors, unable to even decide how many children they would have, if any, without careful calculations. Even Xavier, who lived in the outside world, had to learn how to wield a sword.
Ambrose saw Ye Muo’s eyes widen. He could see himself and the sky reflected in those pupils.
If only this child had been born in the future, he thought. By then, Xavier would be able to live far more freely than now.
He watched as several warships crossed into the sky reflected in Ye Muo’s eyes.
Ambrose raised his head and watched them climb towards the port.
“Though you were born in unfortunate times, try to soar high anyway.”
As long as they were still alive, they would definitely be able to clear out a patch of the sky.
……
The fleet’s speed decreased as they entered the port.
Sader was the captain of this fleet. Half of his crew were new to the frontlines, if this place could even be called that.
The channel was silent, in stark contrast to the lively chatter that had filled it on the way here.
Sader was unsurprised.
It was only natural. Any normal person who realized the achievements, glory, and identity they’ve taken pride in was built on the bloody sacrifices of others would find it unbearable.
The unnatural hush persisted until their fleet departed from the port and orders came in from central command.
[Fleet A23, Captain Sader. Your mission is complete. Please proceed to Supply Planet 6.]
Sader snapped back to reality. He replied a few seconds later, “Copy that.”
He set Base 6 as the destination and engaged the autopilot. Leaning back in his seat, he stared at the cockpit ceiling for a long moment before finally murmuring, “It’s absolutely ridiculous…”
Even after reaching the destination and landing, he remained seated for a while longer. The comms kept ringing. He answered during the third round.
[Alright, alright. Get out here already so we can go grab something to eat. If you don’t come out soon, I’m going to the technical department to have them extract you.]
It was Allen, his friend and second-in-command.
Sader deactivated his safety harness, stood up, and began making his way slowly towards the exit.
Allen swung an arm around his shoulder. “Come on, I’m starving. There’s a new place that just opened nearby.”
Supply Planet 6 wasn’t a military base. It wasn’t that different from any other inhabited planet and possessed all the facilities a city should have. It simply serviced the frontline soldiers and had strict entry and exit protocols.
Not many people actually came here. Located near the coastal frontlines, the most frequent visitors besides supply fleets were galactic pirates.
Sader glanced to the side, where a group of people were setting up cameras.
Occasionally, journalists would visit too.
Sader heard a reporter stiffly state as they passed by:
“We are currently on a supply planet behind the frontlines. This serves as a crucial backup base, providing vital support to our frontline fighters during the defense against the swarm…”
Not many people were around right now. The staff nearby eased up upon noticing their military uniforms and saluted them.
Sader felt burned by their gaze and averted his eyes.
Alan patted his shoulder. “Sometimes, it’s best not to overthink things.”
Sader made a sound of acknowledgment, remembering the enormous amount of supply crates he’d dropped while piloting the warship.
They weren’t warriors, they were thieves, stealing the bloodsoaked glory of the natives with those cheap manufactured goods!
