A Silver Shadow in the Mist

Aided by the fleet’s relentless orbital bombardments, the First Legion’s ground forces barely withstood the successive waves of the insect swarm. Vast piles of insect corpses now filled the craters hollowed out by the brilliant light-spear strikes.

****

The battle raged for fourteen days and nights.

On the fourteenth day, countless translucent blue void bubbles suddenly materialized in orbit around Planet Walker. Within these ethereal spheres, a massive fleet was faintly discernible, their hulls proudly emblazoned with the distinctive banner of the Fourth Legion.

The Federation’s Fourth Legion had arrived, precisely as promised.

The moment the Fourth Legion deployed onto the Planet Walker battlefield, the tide of battle irrevocably turned in the Federation’s favor. Their fierce, multi-pronged assault utterly shattered the insect swarm’s intent to breach the city.

****

When Ming Yu slipped into the transport pod bound for the starship, Ye Qing was already waiting inside, having been there for quite some time.

“It’s almost time, isn’t it?”

“Mm-hm.”

“Finally, we’re leaving this godforsaken place.”

Ye Qing sighed softly, her gaze drifting over Ming Yu’s delicate, charming face. A strange, inexplicable feeling stirred within her. The memory of that night during the siege remained vivid.

Ye Qing still kept the uniform jacket Ming Yu had lent her, unable to find an opportune moment to return it. If, half a month prior, Ye Qing’s gaze toward Ming Yu had been filled with gratitude and recognition, now it was steeped in complete trust. Only concern and reliance remained in her eyes.

The debt of a life saved was impossible to repay. Since Ming Yu claimed to have nowhere else to go, Ye Qing naturally didn’t mind her temporarily residing with her. She intended to take Ming Yu back to her hometown, where they could both rest for a while.

However, upon reflection, Ye Qing belatedly realized that her understanding of Ming Yu was limited solely to their interactions during this conflict. Beyond that, she knew nothing. Ming Yu had mentioned forgetting many things, and though Ye Qing didn’t know the specifics, she chose to believe her. ‘A person should be judged by their actions, not their secrets,’ Ye Qing thought. Ming Yu had extended a helping hand when it mattered most, and that was an undeniable truth.

“Ming Yu.”

“What is it?”

“No, never mind. It’s nothing.”

The sudden call made Ye Qing pause, blinking in confusion.

Through their interactions over this period, Ming Yu had confirmed Ye Qing’s character, finding her to be a trustworthy friend. Consequently, she spoke with less reservation, her expression far more natural. Yet, the matter concerning Vera was not something suitable for others to know. Ming Yu herself was unsure of Vera’s current physical location.

Now, having essentially gained Ye Qing’s trust, she had secured a “stepping stone” for integrating into the Human Federation. While in Ming Yu’s perception, she had only been separated from Little Nightingale and Qing Shui Ling Yin for a few months, the longing in her heart was constantly growing.

That emotion, once called responsibility, was now… perhaps anticipation. She yearned for the moment of their long-awaited reunion, hoping to see them again soon. For this, Ming Yu could only place her hope in Vera’s power. If Vera could bring her here, she surely had a way to send her back.

Once all the transport pods had ascended into the void and reached the target starship, the handover between the two legions finally concluded. Ming Yu followed behind Ye Qing, her peripheral vision catching a glimpse of the armor bay beneath the corridor railing. Soldiers in power armor stood in neat rows, preparing to disarm, the heavy clang of metal echoing through the hangar.

Damaged power armor was sent for repairs, and weary marines returned to their respective cabins. Ming Yu did not have a dedicated rest area. Though Ye Qing had long suspected this, she made no fuss, leading Ming Yu to her own private quarters. She then securely locked the alloy hatch, preventing any sudden intrusions.

Ye Qing sighed inwardly. Indeed, Ming Yu was very likely not a member of the First Legion. She even suspected that the so-called “amnesia” was merely a pretense. As for the reason, she felt no need to delve deeper.

“Ming Yu, our mission is over. The legion will soon be receiving a fresh batch of recruits, and I plan to take this opportunity to retire. What are your plans next? Will you continue to serve, or…”

Ye Qing gazed into her eyes, her expression relaxed, yet her heart was pounding. If she wasn’t mistaken, Ming Yu would most likely choose not to continue her service.

However, most people would choose to remain in the military. For the Human Federation, which boasted numerous habitable colonies and a population exceeding a hundred billion, the military never lacked for exceptional members. The status of a Federation soldier was even more respected than that of a local civil servant, and the requirements for obtaining military rank were higher.

In the centuries since the Federation’s establishment, days without war were few and far between. Here, the simplest way to move up the social ladder was to enlist and accumulate military merits. The ideologies of xenophobia and militarism had fostered a fervent nationalism, and a strong sense of national pride permeated every level of society. As long as a member of a family could join the army and expand human territory, the entire family would bask in the glory of that hero.

An officer who retired from the front lines might not receive substantial material wealth, but the populace genuinely respected those who had bled for the Federation. This was the source of Ye Qing’s confidence.

In response to Ye Qing’s question, Ming Yu pondered for a moment before shaking her head. “I don’t know.”

“Ming Yu, if you were to retire, do you have anywhere to go? Or rather, anywhere you can go?”

“I can’t say.”

‘What do you mean, you can’t say? If I’m not mistaken, you have nowhere left to go, do you?’ Ye Qing swallowed, taking a half-step closer, probing cautiously.

Upon hearing this, Ming Yu frowned slightly. After a moment of silence, she reluctantly nodded. “You’re right. I truly have nowhere left to go.”

“That’s wonderful!” Ye Qing’s eyes brightened, then she cleared her throat, feigning seriousness. “Ahem. My house is quite spacious.”

In her consciousness space, Vera pouted, looking displeased.

‘Small fry, are you really going to follow that person?’

‘We’re unfamiliar with this place and I need a guide to show us the way,’ Ming Yu explained patiently in her mind.

‘Hmm, alright, but…’ Vera paused, her tone softening slightly. ‘Ming Yu…’

“Hm? What is it?”

This sudden use of her name made Ming Yu feel a little uneasy. She instinctively sensed something was amiss. After a moment of hesitation, Vera finally spoke her mind.

‘There’s something I need to tell you. You… you mustn’t get angry…’

“What is it?”

‘First, promise me you’ll be mentally prepared…’

“Alright, so what exactly is it? Why all the mystery?” Although she didn’t know what it was, the tone in Vera’s voice gave her an ominous feeling.

Time seemed to freeze. After a long silence, Vera whispered, ‘We’re going to have offspring soon, you know.’