Ronis and the crowd sat around in a disheveled manner. The atmosphere within the team was unprecedentedly grave, not just because they had fallen short of success at the last stage.
It was even more because no one knew exactly how the other party tracked them, even exposing the secret in Ronis's heart.
This left them with no sense of security, feeling as if they were being pried into at all tis.
"What should we do next?" soone couldn't help but ask.
"What should we do?" soone sneered, leaning against a thick tree: "Divide the luggage and disband... everyone go back to their own hos and find their own mothers."
But subsequently, he gritted his teeth again: "Lord Oaks sacrificed himself, yet we still lost the mission target. How are we going to explain this to Lord Oaks!"
"But staying here forever isn't a solution either. We're already wanted and our tracks can easily be discovered."
"Are you afraid of death?"
"You're the f*cking one afraid of death!"
"..."
As they spoke, a few people in the team were actually about to start fighting.
They weren't a fixed team to begin with, just a temporarily ford group.
Previously, there was Oaks to suppress the crowd. Now that Oaks was dead and the mission target had been snatched away by soone else, the pent-up frustration in their hearts finally began to vent.
"Acting like this won't change the outco. It's better to report this matter up first," Saad shook his head and said.
"Heh..." It would have been better if he hadn't spoken. As soon as he did, soone imdiately turned to look at him, sneering: "You're certainly calm. It was you who leaked our whereabouts, right?"
Saad frowned. He knew soone would definitely make this kind of guess.
"Enough!" Ronis said coldly. He was the strongest among the crowd, thus still possessing so authority.
The rest of the people resentfully shut their mouths. Ronis naturally knew it wasn't Saad who sold them out, but under the current circumstances, it was also impossible to give him a good look.
"You ca along with them, do you know exactly what their background is?" he inquired. Even if they reported it to the Reforrs, they had to know who the enemy was.
"That group of people is well-trained. They should be a squad specialized for grey missions by a large civilization." Saad slowly shook his head.
"Their races are basically common races, distributed in most civilizations. Even their accents have been specially trained, making it very difficult to identify their origins."
The professionalism of the Iron Fist Squad was unquestionable. It was basically impossible for Saad to want to find out the crowd's origins through just a few days of observation.
Hearing this, Ronis furrowed his brows tightly: "If this is the case, ordinary civilizations can be ruled out. They don't have the energy and resources to cultivate such a squad."
The crowd discussed for a mont and decided to report this matter up first, and then wait for orders from the higher-ups.
………
Tabli Star System, on the top floor of the Comrcial Federation Building. Theodore, Jino, and the supre commander of the United Fleet were all here.
Together, they ford the defense system of the Tabli Star System, covering individual strength and large-scale fleets.
A massive amount of information and data scrolled continuously on the holographic screens.
"We found that person's information—Oaks Solem, born in the Layotte Civilization, a civilization ruling five star systems," Theodore said, pointing at the holographic screen, which was displaying Oaks's basic information—
"...After coming of age, he headed to Holivias and served in the Foreign Legion. Twelve years later, he joined Holivias's talent cultivation agreent and beca a key cultivation target..."
"...Thirty years later, he beca an A-Tier Lifeform, but due to special reasons, he withdrew from Holivias and is currently still wanted."
"According to the information provided by Holivias, he should have already joined the Reforrs."
"People from the Reforrs?" The expressions of Jino and the fleet commander both slightly changed.
The Reforrs organization had mixed reviews, but most advanced lifeforms didn't want to get involved with them.
But the terrifying part about the Reforrs was that their informants were spread almost everywhere at the grassroots level. Those who were oppressed or depressed and unfulfilled could easily be absorbed by the Reforrs.
"The internal traitors have also been found. They are three lower-level staff mbers of the supervisory departnt and an engineer, who are usually forced to work overti and maliciously humiliated by their boss." Theodore added:
"They joined the Reforrs over a year ago and provided a lot of information and cover."
No one could have imagined that the slightly decadent-looking middle-aged uncle at work.
And the submissive young man scolded by his boss would be informants for the Reforrs.
"A few lower-level staff mbers could jam the surveillance?" Jino appeared sowhat incredulous.
Theodore glanced at him, his eyes full of contempt. This kind of pampered guy fundantally didn't know the operational logic of the lower levels.
Instead, the United Fleet commander said in a deep voice: "The supervisory system is overseen by artificial intelligence, but artificial intelligence also needs maintenance. As long as one has the ability to modify the code, they can jam the artificial intelligence."
"Why not assign trustworthy people to such crucial places?" Jino felt it was even more unbelievable.
"Before they were found out, they were also trustworthy." Theodore shook his head. It was impossible to give these lower-level employees too high a status; after all, their work was very easy.
It was precisely because they lacked high status that they were easily oppressed and marginalized; this was a vicious cycle.
"They are just floating on the surface; the most important thing is the information on those people." Theodore didn't continue explaining.
Waving his hand, the holographic projection of Oaks's information disappeared, turning into the ten people wearing silver armor.
"They are the most crucial ones!"
Theodore's eyes were deep. After the incident happened, the three of them had reviewed it several tis, and the result each ti told them that relying solely on Oaks and the others, it would have been fundantally impossible to escape.
However, Theodore frowned and said: "The several major comrce guilds have used their channels, but fundantally couldn't find their information. The weapons and abilities they used also lacked any directivity."
"This group of people didn't use the Reforrs' internal traitors to cover their tracks. After our interrogation, we also found that those internal traitors didn't know about this group of people either."
"This ans that they and the Reforrs are not from the sa background."
Li Yu had co here completely openly, and the entire city was almost covered with surveillance systems. Tracing the source afterwards... it was impossible not to be exposed.
This was also the reason why Li Yu was anxious to leave here; there were too many loopholes and they could easily be found out.
"Based on tracing from the surveillance system, we've locked onto one person." Theodore waved his hand again, and an ordinary-looking Interstellar Human appeared on the screen.
"It can be confird that his identity is fake. The spaceship he took was also found, but the navigation logs on the spaceship have already been erased. No clues; he's an experienced veteran."
The developnt of the matter up to this point had fallen into an obvious deadlock, with all clues severed.
Jino blinked his eyes. I've listened to you talk so much, and in the end, you're telling we can't investigate any further?
He said unhappily: "Those guys from the Comrcial Alliance are already very dissatisfied. I'm afraid today's salary is going to be slashed in half..."
Just at this mont, the room door was pushed open with a bang, and the high-strength impact-resistant glass shattered directly. The expressions of the three all slightly changed. F*ck, there's still soone who dares to cause trouble!?
Subsequently, a group of soldiers wearing standard armor rushed in, lining up on both sides of the room.
Theodore furrowed his brows tightly, staring deep into the corridor. Jino had just wanted to flare up when he saw three figures with vigorous auras walking out from deep in the corridor.
The person leading was a Four-Ard Titan, unabashedly releasing his aura, making both Theodore and Jino feel a sense of threat.
Secondary Evolution Lifeform! The expressions of the two fluctuated, not daring to act rashly.
"Who are you?" he inquired in a deep voice.
"I want the information you guys found regarding that group of attackers."
The newcor was naturally Donovan. He had already reported the storage location of the Gene Optimization Device in advance.
However, within the borders of the Athyst Civilization, the forces of the Star Glory Empire all had their own duties, and temporarily no more forces could be dispatched over.
They could only contact the Tabli Star System Comrcial Alliance and have them raise their vigilance.
However, the Reforrs' reaction speed was extrely fast, giving them almost no chance to enhance security.
And by the ti Donovan received the news and rushed over here, it was already of no use.
Donovan's tone was overbearing and tyrannical, making the few of them feel dissatisfied.
"Who exactly are you guys?" Theodore coldly asked again.
"This is Servis's order. You must fully cooperate, otherwise take the money and scram." Donovan was not polite at all, bringing up the directive signed by the Comrcial Alliance.
Theodore felt sowhat helpless. They were rely rcenaries who took money to do things; to get the money, they could only follow orders.
He said in a muffled voice: "The information we found is all here."
Donovan ordered soone to step forward to receive it, and then connected to the Star Glory Empire's database for comparison again.
"Are you guys... people from the Star Glory Empire?" The United Fleet commander glanced over and clearly recognized the other party's standard armor.
Donovan ignored him. He took out his newly acquired smart terminal, glanced at it, his expression fluctuating unpredictably, and finally let out a heavy cold snort: "Sure enough, it's him!"
Jorge also ca over to take a look, his expression sowhat confused: "How can we be sure it's him? Isn't this Returning Star's Iron Fist Squad?"
"You guys know who the other party is?" Listening to their conversation, Theodore instantly had so guesses in his heart.
Donovan looked up at him, then glanced at the combat logs, and had a rough idea in his heart.
"This group of people is Returning Star's Iron Fist Squad. Not long ago, they were executing a mission in the Bassa Star System, but were severely wounded by an A-Tier Lifeform, and subsequently rescued by soone."
The Star Glory Empire's database wasn't just for show. The Iron Fist Squad hiding it from these comrce guilds was no problem, but wanting to hide it from the Star Glory Empire was unlikely.
"So it's Returning Star..." Theodore realized, and then heard Donovan speak: "But the Iron Fist Squad's combat power previously was absolutely not this powerful enough to block an A-Tier Lifeform."
Donovan played the combat recording between the Iron Fist Squad and Theodore, which made Theodore let out a cold snort and turn his head away.
"Who is that leader?" Jino asked curiously.
"If you want to know, join our pursuit team." Donovan's tone was plain, his two lower arms folded across his abdon.
"This..." Jino was sowhat hesitant. He wasn't soone willing to take risks; enjoying life comfortably was the most important thing to him.
"I'll join!" Theodore's gaze was firm. A re ten B-Tier Lifeforms being able to block him was a kind of humiliation for him.
"Very well..." Donovan revealed an appreciative look, then turned to look at the other two, his tone cold: "You guys, can scram out of here now."
Jino appeared slightly indignant. He was an A-Tier Lifeform after all. Being treated like this made him feel sowhat disgraced.
But the other party was from the Star Glory Empire and was stronger than him, so he could only hold it in.
As for that United Fleet commander, he didn't care too much. He wasn't an A-Tier Lifeform, and readily left here.
"The leading guy is nine tis out of ten Li Yu." Murderous intent surged in Donovan's eyes.
"Li Yu?" Theodore listened to this unfamiliar na: "It sounds sowhat familiar, seems like I've heard it sowhere before."
Donovan didn't say much, directly displaying Li Yu's genetic information.
"...Kidnapping an Imperial Noble... Star Glory Empire S-Class Wanted Order... Fighting head-on with an A-Tier Lifeform and surviving... Surviving an A-Tier free-for-all... Possessor of the Golden Cross dal and Sword Bearer dal... Returning Star Honorary Baron and also the youngest A-Tier Lifeform and fleet commander in history..."
Theodore looked at the 'resu' on the holographic projection that couldn't even fit on one page, his eyes gradually becoming sowhat sluggish.
Suddenly, it was as if a bolt of thunder flashed across his mind, and he couldn't help blurting out: "I rember now, the previous Interstellar Gossip Weekly seed to have published a scandal about him and the rmaid Princess."
Donovan's eyes were filled with dead silence as he looked at Theodore. He couldn't help but chuckle awkwardly twice, not daring to continue speaking, and instead asked: "How can you be sure it's him?"
"Deduction..." Donovan's answer was simple and crude, without much explanation.
There weren't many people who could know that the Gene Optimization Device was at the Golden Wall Bank, and there were almost none on Returning Star's side.
The only possibilities were Soli, Dass, and Li Yu.
And according to the combat trace report from the Bassa Star System side, the only one who could easily slaughter Fen Jin was Li Yu; the other two fundantally couldn't do it.
"Secretly helping the Reforrs bring the Gene Optimization Device back, and then snatching the item back from the Reforrs. Truly a good plan."
Donovan quickly deduced Li Yu's plan, because this plan wasn't complex to begin with; it could even be called simple.
Even for Li Yu, it would be very difficult to snatch the item in the Tabli Star System and retreat completely unscathed.
After all, the warships spread throughout the Tabli Star System weren't useless. Oaks didn't have much ability to resist under the massive and complex fleet.
Unless Li Yu utilized the 【Apostle】, but this wasn't the border star system of Returning Star, but a prosperous star system within the inner territory of Athyst.
If he dared to utilize the 【Apostle】 here, he'd just have to wait for the gazes of all factions to focus over.
So he chose to secretly help the Reforrs escape Tabli. Facts proved that this was also the most correct choice.
"Do you guys have a way to track him?" Theodore inquired. Li Yu's wide variety of titles didn't scare him, because the trio of Donovan gave him confidence.
Even if Li Yu was stronger, could he still escape the pursuit of the four of them? After all, Donovan was a Second-Stage Evolutionist!
"I..." Just as Donovan wanted to speak, he was attracted by the vibration of his smart terminal. He looked down, and his expression instantly changed,
"Ergency Transfer Order!?"
(End of this chapter)
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