A suffocating silence was broken by a trembling shout from somewhere, someone yelling, “Sniper, Sniper!! There is a sniper!”
In that brief fraction of a second everything seemed to slow, as if some divine hand had slipped the world into slow motion. Politt and his retainers froze where they stood, their faces stunned into identical expressions, like hollow sculptures.
Zhong Man and Cheng Chi, both startled, each covered one of the twins with an instinctive motion, hands clamped over the children’s eyes. Lin Zhen covered his mouth and bent forward, unable to stop a dry heave and Yi Lai Zhe hurried to steady him.
Maurice and the Alliance soldiers drew their weapons with the speed and discipline of long practice, forming a neat protective ring that shielded Jiang Yun and the other diplomats behind cover.
“CONDITION ONE ALERT, everyone drop down, sound the alarm, seal all exits,” Ian called out with surprising composure for the moment, “Send teams to search for that sniper immediately, NOW!!”
The royal guards of Olin scrambled for the nearest shelters; the imperial troops. At Ian’s command, spread like a tide in every direction to search for the hidden hand that had pulled the trigger. A sharp alarm tore the sky apart.
In the research labs, technicians in white coats stood motionless, test tubes in hand, masks revealing faces lined with alarm. In the chaotic mining district, laborers stopped Mid task and gazed blankly toward the crimson grazed sky, which the searchlights had painted blood red. Fear spreads like a contagion.
This planet was still in its pioneer days. There were no modern towers, no gleaming skyscrapers, only countless low temporary structures and an endless, flat snow plain.
No one knew where the flawless executioner had taken refuge. Yet Jiang Yun felt, with an odd certainty, that he could sense him. He knew where he was.
It was as if Jiang Yun could see him now, could see the sniper’s long, practiced fingers slide along the rifle’s body, methodically returning to safety, detaching the shoulder rest.
Then the man rose to his feet. His gaze pierced the swirling snow and for an instant it cleaved the world from top to bottom and fixed, unblinking, on the spaceport.
He did not look at the blood he had painted in the snow with his own hand. He did not bother to watch the frightened, panicked crowd that surged and cried because of him. He did not glance at the reconnaissance drones climbing into the wind, devices that might expose him. He looked at one person only. He was looking at me.
Jiang Yun had not felt his heart hammer like that in a very long time. The crowd pressed and shouted, alarms screamed but in that most extreme chaos Jiang Yun turned on impulse toward the direction his heart indicated.
Cloaks billowed in the gusts. The fleeing mass of people became a blur of faces behind him. At his feet, the grim angle of Alpha’s mouth still froze, forever twisted in its last arrogant curl.
He seemed to be a step too late. Snow fell in shaky flakes. The sky glowed red with alarm. The imperial banner whipped in the wind. Beyond all of that, there was nothing the sniper had left behind.
“WYCLIFFE??” Politt finally reacted, his ashen lips trembling as though he had aged ten years in a heartbeat.
“Wycliffe, my son!!” he kept repeating.
The aged Alpha dropped his cane and, ignoring the entreaties of his aides, staggered toward that red and white blot of filth. His legs gave way and he collapsed onto the snow in a heap.
Politt reached toward his son’s body in a futile attempt, a wail tearing from him.
“Wycliffe!!” He cried. Ian stepped through the snow to stand beside Politt, for the first time in a position where he could look down upon prince and crown alike.
The red haired Alpha did not move to help; instead he bent slightly and, with an expression that was all regret, murmured, “Please accept my condolences, Prince Politt. I will find this killer and avenge Wycliffe.”
“Killer, avenge, my son!!” Politt kept babbling like a man driven half mad, “Who did this? Who did this?”
His grief shredded whatever composure remained. He fixed his gaze on Jiang Yun, eyes bulging and he hissed, “It was you! It was you who killed my son.”
Politt’s reason snapped completely. Vitriol and blame poured from him as readily as breath and his numb, frozen fingers pointed at Jiang Yun while he spat abuse: “EVIL!! despicable Alliance diplomat, you killed my son!”
At those words a dozen Alliance weapons swung around to train on Politt. Ian’s face shifted and he turned to Jiang Yun. “Director Jiang, our prince is clearly unhinged with grief. I apologize on his behalf. Please accept our regret.”
Jiang Yun forced himself into calm and met Politt’s accusation with a measured question. “So you accuse me of murdering your son, is that what you are saying?”
Politt’s hands trembled and he began to stammer, “YOU!”
Jiang Yun cut him off coolly. “Think before you answer.”
Politt roasted him with hatred, “YOU!!”
Ian snapped, loud and sharp, “Your Highness!”
Yi Lai Zhe let out an ironic laugh, “What kind of twisted logic is this? The Rescue dock was inspected by your security when it entered Olin space and all weapons were registered. Now, on Olin territory, a skilled sniper strikes the man who was but a few steps from Director Jiang. Do you really think this was arranged by us? Or should I instead accuse Olin of trying to assassinate Director Jiang and the sniper missed and killed Wycliffe by mistake?”
Zhong Man pressed the point, “We ask your nation to provide a reasonable explanation. Where did that sniper come from and where did the rifle come from?”
Cheng Chi’s eyes lit up, as if this was a lesson he must memorise.
He steady his tone and spoke in commanding manner, “A diplomatic summit of this importance and your security failed in such a manner. Is it negligence or a deliberate act?”
Under the onslaught, Ian had to admit, “Yes, this was a lapse on our part.”
Politt could no longer hear any of it. His eyes, a few shades like his son’s, locked onto Jiang Yun and he repeated, hoarsely, “Kill him! Give me a gun, I will kill him!”
Ian lowered his voice, scolding, “Your Highness, do you realize what you are saying? You are publicly calling for the murder of a senior official of the Interstellar Alliance. You are declaring war on the Alliance.” At the mention of the Lierna Palace and the Emperor, Politt stiffened. The hatred in his cloudy gaze did not fade.
“It was him, I know it was him!” Politt muttered like a curse, “It must be him!”
Ian sighed and signaled for the prince’s aides to support him. They propped Politt as he teetered back toward the camp, his neck constantly twisted toward Jiang Yun, hatred seething in his eyes.
“It seems our negotiations must end for now, Director Jiang,” Ian said with a heavy face, “You may…. ”
“End?” Jiang Yun interrupted coldly, “Why stop?”
Ian shrugged as if helpless. “You have seen the situation here, Olin has just had a major incident….”
Jiang Yun’s voice was steel, “Whatever happens inside Olin is not our concern. We complied with the agreement and allowed Prince Politt to confirm Wycliffe’s safety with his own eyes. It is now your turn to fulfill the agreement.” His tone left no room for rebuttal, “I want to see Colonel Lu’s body now. Take me to it.”
Ian ignored the buzzing communicator and stammered apologies. “I am sorry, at this moment I cannot be responsible for handling the transfer of the body.”
“You cannot be responsible?” Jiang Yun smiled without humor, “Wycliffe is dead and Prince Politt is not in his senses. Who else on this frozen planet can be in charge if not you? Your Prime Minister?”
Ian finally looked at his communicator and pulled up an order from Olin’s Prime Minister Yamashiro Hiroshi, displaying the command for all to see: Until the sniper is captured, ensure Director Jiang’s personal safety.
Cheng Chi glanced at the order, puzzled at how attentive an old Prime Minister could be. But Yi Lai Zhe and the other experienced diplomats read the implication at once. A brilliant sniper was still at large. With the scene in chaos, a second shot could be expected.
The normal response after an assassination attempt is to withdraw to a secure location. Jiang Yun’s insistence on seeing the body now indicated that he either trusted the sniper not to strike their delegation or that he was prepared to accept any risk to confirm things himself.
Ian tucked his communicator away. “You and your team have traveled a long way. Olin must ensure your safety while you are on this ice world. The sniper may strike again at any moment. If anything were to happen to you, the Alliance would… ”
He trailed off and added, with mild mockery, “Your Alpha admirers back home would tear me apart….”
Jiang Yun was silent for a heartbeat and then gave his final ultimatum. “You have until dawn.” With that he turned toward the Rescue dock.
Ian exhaled like relief and called after Jiang Yun, “Thank you for your understanding. Please avoid leaving the Rescue dock to not interfere with our search for the sniper. The Empire will provide the most complete security for your delegation.”
Jiang Yun paused, back to Ian and said, “You surprised me today, Ian the Fool. I must admit I may have judged you wrongly before.”
The red haired Alpha’s head bowed slightly, his expression shrouded in shadow. “Do elaborate.. ” he said.
Jiang Yun’s answer was crisp. “Ian Tang cares about three things. Money, energy and his dignity.”
He cast Ian a cool look and then turned away.
Most of the party returned to the Rescue dock, still stunned and buzzing from the assassination. For many, there was even a trace of exhilaration at having witnessed the brutal execution of that twisted Alpha.
Yi Lai Zhe murmured to Jiang Yun, “They are clearly trying to stall.” With Wycliffe dead, Olin’s side had no reason to continue negotiations. The body of Colonel Lu was a bargaining chip. The longer they held it, the more leverage they had.
“I know,” Jiang Yun said, shrugging off his immaculate cloak and handing it to Cheng Chi, “Nevertheless, I must see Colonel Lu’s body tomorrow.”
Yi Lai Zhe asked, “What is your plan?”
Jiang Yun answered, “Contact Miyazawa. I will submit an emergency proposal to Parliament.”
The planet rotated away from its star and the night fell. Red warning lights still glowed and the distant alarms sounded like old men keening into the darkness.
On the third deck of the Rescue dock, in the public lounge, the accompanying physician, Renee, had just completed a thorough check on Lin Zhen.
“Mr Lin, please rest assured. You and the baby are fine,” Renee said with a smile, “I suspect you were not even severely startled. Your dry heave is most likely pregnancy nausea.”
Lin Zhen touched his stomach with surprise. “Is that so?”
On a nearby sofa Zhong Man handed a cup of warm milk to one of the twins. “Are you both alright?”
Jiang Mu smiled and nodded. “We are fine.”
“I am not fine at all,” Lu Chao protested bitterly, “Why am I not allowed to see how that pervert died? All of you saw it and I was the only one who did not!”
Jiang Mu shot back with a cold edge, “Watch your words, Lu Chao. I am not human?”
Cheng Chi chimed in, “Mind your status, Lu Chao, you are still underage. Scenes like that are not for you.”
Through the meeting room’s floor length window, Maurice and Jiang Yun were coordinating how to brief the presidential palace on Wycliffe’s death. Maurice looked at Jiang Yun with curiosity.
“Where did you find such a formidable sniper? I thought the plan was the old one, to wait for Olin to act and then we would counterattack.” Jiang Yun’s real plan had been more cunning than the original.
Letting Wycliffe die on Olin soil made Olin unable to accuse the Alliance. Instead Olin would be forced to bow and apologize for its security lapse.
Apologies.
Maurice was certain that Jiang Yun must have already considered this option before. But since Jiang Yun had no way to find a sniper already hidden on Frost Desolation Star, someone reliable enough not to fail, he could only look for another approach.
So how did Jiang Yun end up finding one later on?
Through the floor to ceiling window, Jiang Yun looked out at the five massive Olin warships docked around the Rescue.
Although Olin was suffering from an energy shortage, the Olin military always held top priority when it came to allocation.
Those five warships loomed like five colossal beasts whose eyes could block out the sun. Countless sensors and searchlights formed their cold pupils, unblinking as they watched every movement aboard the Rescue.
Ian’s seemingly polite request was nothing more than a warning, to remind them to stay put and not wander around.
From the very moment they stepped onto Olin territory, the Alliance delegation was destined to be at a disadvantage, forced to move under someone else’s roof. Even Jiang Yun couldn’t entirely change that fact.
Everyone knew that Olin wouldn’t dare openly attack an Alliance diplomatic mission, it would be suicide. But the intimidation those warships and soldiers carried was enough to make anyone’s blood run cold.
Anyone who tried to enter or leave the Rescue during this period of heightened alert would surely be noticed by Olin immediately.
✦ ✧ ✦
Cressilia
[Translator]
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ChaptersChapter 1 · Who can compare to Colonel Lu?Chapter 2 · He should be deadChapter 3 · How were we born?Chapter 4 · That’s where Colonel died..Chapter 5 · No one knows my pheromone than Colonel LuChapter 6 · Colonel Lu’s remainsChapter 7 · Heat is approachingChapter 8 · CheckmateChapter 9 · A dream liked married lifeChapter 10 · What might be his pregnancy be like?Chapter 11 · He thought he would be the father of two childrenChapter 12 · So we just hang Colonel Lu on the wall?Chapter 13 · Finally, I have something to say to my wifeChapter 14 · Why doesn’t Colonel Lu understandChapter 15 · He doesn’t Love MeChapter 16 · You’ll see him soonChapter 17 · So casual, so carelessChapter 18 Part 1 · He.. He’s looking at meChapter 18 Part 2 · He..He’s looking at meChapter 19 · Lu Huai is still aliveChapter 20 · Wait until I bring back your zombie Alpha dadChapter 21 · Long time no see, Jiang YunChapter 22 · I still have that qualificationChapter 23 · It still tastes sweet when you kiss itChapter 24 · He seems to have forgotten how to act cuteChapter 25 · The two unfortunate children were completely terrifiedChapter 26 · Please make yourself at home.Chapter 27 · Hello, UncleChapter 28 · Am I not your deceased husband?Chapter 29 · Don’t you love me anymore?Chapter 30 · Our home is No. 5, Qianshui RoadChapter 31 · Is he… here to keep him company?Chapter 32 · What exactly did Alpha bring me?Chapter 33 · Thanks a lot, brothers!Chapter 34 · Hi?Chapter 35 · I only let you take care of the child for one dayChapter 36 · Did you have thoughts when you ‘died’?Chapter 37 · Put a double bed in your homeChapter 38 · They both suffered heavy lossesChapter 39 · Welcome back to the Alphas’ arena.Chapter 40 · Why should I lower myself?Chapter 41 · I have learned that Colonel Lu Huai is still aliveChapter 42 · They are sensitive and vulnerableChapter 43 · He would also feel regret.Chapter 44 · When a child is quiet, they’re definitely up to somethingChapter 45 · Dad, you have such a good eye for choosing a husband!Chapter 46 · Who made it wear a colonel’s uniform?Chapter 47 · I love him very muchChapter 48 · Okay, I believe youChapter 49 · I remember you went pretty hard on him at the end.Chapter 50 · Colonel Lu, don’t be too fierceChapter 51 · To…make up for the regretChapter 52 · A perfect match!Chapter 53 · Colonel Lu, let’s get married!Chapter 54 · When will you finally learn to stop talking nonsense?Chapter 55 · My darlings, we’re homeChapter 56 · Babies, please stopChapter 57 · I’m about to enter my heat cycle, not my due dateChapter 58 · Is he complaining to his wife?Chapter 59 · The only lieChapter 60 · Colonel Lu, the babies are all crying.Chapter 61 · Dad, Colonel Lu bullied me.Chapter 62 · A large number of foreign ministersChapter 63 · Jiang Mu definitely likes handsome guys tooChapter 64 · First time bringing a partner to a major diplomatic occasionChapter 65 · You’re still as handsome as you were back thenChapter 66 · Bedtime Strategic PartnerChapter 67 · How can you be so good at threatening people?Chapter 68 · I’m waiting for youChapter 69 · I’ll stay by your side, from beginning to endChapter 70 · Can you handle Lu Chao’s… educational session for me?Chapter 71 · The First SpringChapter 72 · Extra 1Chapter 73 · Extra 2Chapter 74 · Extra 3Chapter 75 · Extra 4Chapter 76 · Extra 5Chapter 77 · Extra 6Chapter 78 · Extra 7Chapter 79 · Extra 8Chapter 80 · Extra 9