Chapter 400 - 365: Wei Xuan’s Decision

Chapter 400: Chapter 365: Wei Xuan’s Decision

Soloma Space Agency.

Compared to the public discussions following the release of the new rules, the people working here were more concerned with the bizarre incident on Terra Star.

The entire crew of the Imperial Pioneers had fallen into a kind of stress-induced catatonic state. To make matters worse, their team leader, in his last moments of lucidity, had left a bizarre final message: "There’s a demon on the planet." It was all incredibly difficult to comprehend.

Could the catatonic crew members recover? What exactly did Robert mean by a "demon"? These were pressing questions that needed answers.

But even more important was the question of what those who remained should do.

A teleconference between the Soloma Space Agency and the North Star Aerospace Agency was currently underway in the meeting room, with the directors and other high-level officials from both sides in attendance.

"I know your astronauts must be terrified and want to come back right away, but if they do, the space colonization plan will be put on indefinite hold."

The director of the Soloma Space Agency spoke, trying his utmost to persuade the director of the North Star Aerospace Agency not to recall Dream Ship One.

"Besides, if we don’t investigate and find out what this ’demon’ Robert mentioned is, we’ll only be creating more risks for future landing parties. If we don’t deal with this threat now, it’ll still be waiting for us later."

The director of the North Star Aerospace Agency listened but did not change his mind. He slowly replied, "Unfortunately, we cannot allow our valuable astronauts to take any more risks by staying on Terra Star. Furthermore, we need to bring Robert and the others back to Celestial Water Star for treatment as soon as possible. It might be their only chance of recovery... Given the lack of medical equipment and medicine on Terra Star, how much longer can they even survive?"

"They were prepared to make the ultimate sacrifice before they even boarded that rocket! I’m begging you to reconsider!"

"Our decision is final. We will not reconsider."

The staff on both sides fell into a heavy silence.

Gradually, the Soloma Space Agency director’s expression turned cold.

His tone lost all trace of pleading and negotiation. It became hard, laced with a hint of a threat.

"In that case, we are also disappointed. If Dream Ship One begins its return journey, we at Soloma will consider using weapons to destroy it in orbit!"

"What did you say?"

With that one sentence, the atmosphere of the meeting became instantly charged with hostility.

"Based on the video transmitted from the habitat, Robert and his entire team were thrown into a state of terror in a single instant. The ’demon’ that caused all this never once appeared on video," the Soloma Space Agency director continued.

"This means the ’demon’ might possess an Invisibility Ability, or perhaps it cannot be recorded by electronic equipment."

"Therefore, we must prepare for the worst-case scenario: the demon may have already infiltrated the Imperial Pioneers or the Dream Ship One rocket capsule. If you let it return with your astronauts, it could bring disaster to all of humanity. So, if you recall the rocket before this is investigated, we at Soloma, for the sake of all humankind, will have no choice but to shoot it down!"

The director of the North Star Aerospace Agency issued a warning. "I advise you to think this through very carefully. Do not provoke a war between our two nations with such an irrational act."

With that, the North Star Faction cut the transmission, and the high-level officials on the Soloma side all turned to look at their director.

"Director, you were joking just now, right?"

"If they bring our astronauts back with them, shooting them down would mean killing our own people too!"

The deputy director then spoke up as well. "Attacking another nation’s manned rocket is tantamount to declaring war... I don’t believe our Space Agency has that authority."

"...I know. That was just a tactical bluff," the director sighed. "But if we don’t get to the bottom of this, how are we going to explain ourselves to the Senate and the public? Besides, what if there really is a ’demon’? ’Though I don’t really believe it myself.’"

"We should still try to communicate with North Star," the deputy director said. "No matter how bad things get, Soloma and North Star cannot go to war right now. That would cause humanity to lose..."

Before he could finish, the director’s phone rang in his pocket.

The moment he answered, an enraged voice erupted from the speaker.

"You idiot! Who gave you permission to run your mouth like that! Have you forgotten the order from His Majesty the King? You are not to provoke any disputes with North Star for the next six months!"

The director recognized the voice of the Grand Elder. All his earlier bravado vanished as he lowered his voice. "Yes, yes, Grand Elder... I was just worried about our astronauts, so I..."

"Shut your mouth! Go fix your relationship with the North Star Aerospace Agency right now, or you can forget about being director!"

BEEP—

The call ended. With a look of utter humiliation, the director put away his phone. He glared at the strange expressions on the faces of everyone in the conference room and barked, "Meeting adjourned! Everybody get back to what you’re supposed to be doing!"

「...」

Back on Terra Star, Wei Xuan had led his crew back into the Dream Ship One rocket capsule.

The habitat they had painstakingly constructed outside had to be abandoned. After witnessing the video footage from the other habitat, no one dared to remain outside the rocket.

In the medbay, Team Leader Wei Xuan entered to find the doctor pacing in front of a medical bed. Lying on it was the rigid body of Robert.

His once wide, staring eyes had been closed, making him look less gruesome and terrifying.

"Team Leader, you’re here."

"Yeah. How is Robert’s condition?"

"Same as before. He has a heartbeat, but no other physical responses. It’s the same for the others," the doctor said, shaking his head. "It’s unbelievable. I’ve never seen anything like this. Our only option is to get them back to Celestial Water Star for a more thorough examination with proper equipment."

Wei Xuan nodded silently.

Seeing that he had something on his mind, the doctor asked, "What is it, Team Leader?"

"We just contacted ground command."

The doctor had a bad feeling. "They’re not telling us we can’t go back, are they?"

"No, command has authorized our return. But I have some reservations about it."

"Reservations??"

Wei Xuan frowned. "The two ships on this expedition were entrusted with the critical mission of establishing an extraterrestrial habitat and exploring the feasibility of space colonization. This mission is inextricably linked to the very fate of humanity. To give up halfway... I just can’t accept it."

"Moreover, if we rush back without identifying the culprit that did this to Robert and his team, it means we’ll have failed to gather any crucial intelligence. The next team they send will have to start their investigation from scratch and face these same unknown risks."

"Rather than let others bear that risk, we should be the ones to investigate. Even if we can’t uncover the full truth, we should do our best to find some clues to leave for those who come after us."

The doctor shook his head repeatedly. "I’m a doctor. For me, the lives and safety of the crew come first. I’m sorry, Team Leader, but I cannot agree with your decision to stay behind and continue the investigation."

"Don’t be sorry. There’s nothing wrong with your priorities. So, my plan is this: those who want to go back can take Robert and the others for treatment. Those who don’t want to go back will stay here on Terra with me to continue the mission."

"What!" The doctor was stunned. "But... if we leave, what about the rocket? Who knows what the next rule will be? What if it becomes impossible to launch a rocket to come get you? Then—"

"You don’t need to worry about that. You’ll take Dream Ship One back. Those of us who stay will transfer to the Imperial Pioneers. It has enough resources to last us a very long time."

The doctor was left speechless, not expecting Wei Xuan to have already made such thorough arrangements to stay.

"Ground command has approved my proposal. Let’s go. We’ll hold a meeting to see who’s staying and who’s going, and then the return rocket can launch as soon as possible. We may have successfully retreated from Robert’s habitat, but we can’t rule out further danger."

"...Yes, I understand."

The doctor followed behind Wei Xuan, his gaze toward the man’s back filled with a certain admiration.

’To willingly stay behind and continue the mission after such a terrifying event...’ The doctor found his courage truly admirable, admitting to himself that he could never do the same.

As the two of them left the room, neither noticed that at the exact moment the automatic door slid shut, the rigid eyelids of Robert, lying on the medical bed, suddenly and imperceptibly twitched twice.