Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
u201dDengar kabar di Sistem Bintang Garton belakangan ini?u201d bisik suatu suara di antara tiga orang Godoran yang gemuk. Kedan adalah salah seorang dari mereka, dengan ekspresi ramah di wajahnya. Ia dulunya ada di Departemen Investigasi Godora, namun terpaksa dipecat karena kelalaian. Bahkan sempat dipenjara beberapa tahun. Setelah keluar, ia pindah ke Planet Koloni Gautin dan tinggal sampai sekarang. Dua orang di sebelahnya adalah teman-temannya.
u201dTentu saja kudengar.u201d Orang lain mengangguk. u201dTelevisi kan sedang memantik-mantik kabar tentang betapa banyak peradaban rendah di sistem bintang yang menderita bencana.u201d
u201dBukan urusan kami sama sekali. Kenapa kamu bawa ini? Kayaknya kamu ingin mencuri kartu sambil membuat kami teralihkan.u201d
u201dCukup,u201d seru Kedan sambil menggeram, lalu berbisik, u201dMas masih ingat percakapan yang kudengar dulu?"
u201dManakah?u201d
u201dPercakapan ketika aku masih di Departemen Investigasi.u201d
u201dChe, kamu sudah berbagi cerita ini sering sekali, hasta kalah.u201d
u201dTahu ga? Planet itu sekarang sudah masuk dalam daftar planet bencana.u201d Kedan tertawa kecil. u201dAku penasaran bagaimana perkembangannya selama bertahun-tahun. Aku ingin kembali untuk melihatnya. Kamu mau ikut enggak?"
u201dKamu yakin? Planet itu tidak aman sekarang.u201d
u201dSemakin tua, semakin ingin melihat lagi pencapaian masa lalur.u201d Kedan tertawa. u201dDi samping, aku punya teman yang tetap di sana, dia bisa menjamu dan menjadi panduan kami. Juga, tim penyelamat ada di sana, jadi kita bisa berpura-pura menjadi penonton atau membantu bantuan kemanusiaan.u201d
Mendengar itulah, nada mereka jadi aneh.
u201dTidak mungkin? Masih di planet undeveloped itu? Pasti bosan betapa?u201d
u2017Apakah kamu buta? Kamarhibernasinya bisa terhubung ke jaringan, dan aku selalu terhubung dengannya. Dia...u201d
Kedan gemar sekali memejalkan telapunya, tapi tepat ketika ia hendak melanjutkan, ada di belakang pintu berdering.
u201dSiapa yang datang pada waktu yang tidak masuk akal begini?u201d
Kedan ragu-ragu, bangun dari kursi, dan berjalan ke pintu sambil memandang melalui jendela kaca pengamat. Ia tidak mengenal beberapa orang yang berdiri di luar. Mereka semua mengenakan pakaian tempur dengan lencana berbentuk cincin di tengah dada.u201d
u201dKamu yakin sudah pernah melihat lencana itu?u201d gumamnya sambil menatap erat.
Kedan membuka jendela kaca kecil di bagian atas pintu, menunjukkan wajahnya, lalu bertanya dengan khawatir, u201dSiapa yang kamu cari?"
u201dApakah kamu Golden Mitland?u201d tanya orang di luar.
u2019Aneh, kenapa orang-orang ini tahu IGN akunku? Kedan langsun
merasa sesuatu yang salah. Setelah membantah bahwa ia Golden Mitland, ia buru-buru menutup jendela. Di saat yang sama, orang di luar itu mengangkat senapan lasernya dan menempatkannya tepat di kepalanya.
Kedan membekukan, tak berani menggerakkan sedikit pun. Kakinya gemetar, dan ia merasa bahwa orang itu ingin mencuri darinya. Sebelum ia sempat mohon ampun, pertanyaan lanjutan dari lawannya membuatnya gemetar.
u201dApakah kamu masih ingat Angora?"
u201dAku... aku tidak mengenalnya...u201d Kedan menarik nafas dalam, bibirnya gemetar. Di saat itulah, rasa panik yang dia rasakan menjadi lebih dahsyat. Seolah-olah nama itu memiliki kekuatan magis yang menakutkan.
Orang di luar pintu mengangguk pelan, u201dTidak apa-apa, kalau kamu tidak mengenalnya. Ikutlah jika kamu tidak mau menderita.u201d
u201dKemana... kemana kita harus pergi?"
u201dBlack Star ingin bertemu denganmu.u201d
u2019
Beberapa hari kemudian, kapal angkasa Sky Ring diam-diam mengintai di luar atmosfer Planet Aquamarine. Han Xiao memilot BlackLight Stealth untuk menerima mereka.
Hanya ada dua orang lain di kabin kontrol, Hannes dan Bennett, dan mereka baru pertama kali masuk ke angkasa dalam kapal angkasa. Mereka memandang pemandangan luar dengan serius sambil menikmati pengalaman baru ini. Namun, hanya dalam hitungan detik dari permukaan ke luar atmosfer, dan sebelum mereka sempat bereaksi, sudah berada di angkasa.
Han Xiao telah menyiapkan orang lain di permukaan. Ia hanya menerima anggota Sky Ring, jadi tak perlu dibesar-besar-besarkan. Sky Ring telah mengirimkan kabar baik-u2014mereka berhasil menemukan teman Angora lewat informasi yang dia berikan. Teman itu sepertinya namanya Kedan, dan dia tampaknya tahu tentang Angora.
Kedua kapal angkasa itu selaras, dan pintu terbuka. Tiba-tiba, wajah Godoran itu pucat paleang dengan rasa cemas dan ketakutan di mata.
u201dJangan takut, aku hanya ingin kamu memberi aku informasi.u201d Han Xiao mengeluarkan foto Angora dan bertanya, u201dKamu kenal dia, kan?"
Kedan merinding dan sangat-gigi ketika menggelengkan kepalanya.
u201dKujujuk melalui detektor kebohongan; dia sedang berdusta,u201d serang anggota Sky Ring.
u201dKalau kamu takut begini, berarti kamu tahu apa yang terjadi di balik layar. Biarkan kujujung dengan lurus. Apakah kamu terlibat perang di Planet Aquamarine?u201d Han Xiao mengangkat alis dan tahu bahwa ia mungkin baru menemukan otak pelakunya.
u201dTidak! Aku belum pernah dengar tentang Planet Aquamarine! Kamu salah tangkap orang!"
Kedan menolak dengan lantang. Namun, tidak ada yang meyakinkan.
Han Xiao mengeluarkan piringan logam kecil sebesar cangkir kuku dan menempelkannya di leher Kedan. Lalu ia menggunakan Mechanical Force untuk mengaktifkan piringan itu, dan tubuh Kedan mulai gemetar hebat. Matanya putih selembar kertas, dan keseluruhannya mengibak.
u201dBiarkanku memperkenalkan barang ini kepadamu.u201d Han Xiao menunjuk pada piringan logam. u201dKetika boneka kecil ini diaktifkan, ia melepaskan arus listrik yang menggelegar. Jika kamu suka dengan rasa ini, kamu harus membungkamkan mulutmu dan perlahan-lahan menikmatinya.u201d
Penyakit listrik seperti ini setara dengan tortur, dan tampilan interfacenya menunjukkan bahwa Kedan hanyalah warga biasa, bukan Super.
Kedan seperti ikan kering, bergerak gemetar di lantai. Beberapa menit kemudian, ia akhirnya runtuh menangis dan bersujud janji akan memberi tahu segala sesuatu yang diketahui.
Mereka semua membantu mengangkat Kedan dan memberinya kursi untuk tenang. Pada sa yang sama, mereka memasang peralatan detektor kebohongannya. Kedan masih gemetar, lalu memandang Han Xiao dengan ekspresi bersalah sebelum mulai bercerita apa yang diketahuinya.
u201dAku dulunya adalah anggota kecil di Departemen Investigasi Godora, puluhan tahun yang lalu. Pada sa itu, Godora baru saja menemukan Planet Aquamarine, dan kebiasaan untuk peradaban rendah adalah mengamati perkembangannya. Tugasanku adalah memantau perkembangan peradaban baru ini, memberikan evaluasi, dan mengirimkan laporan ke Departemen Luar Negeri atau Biro Perang. Pekerjaan ini sangat mudah namun sangat membosankan...u201d
u201dBicarakan intinya. Apa hubunganmu dengan perang di Planet Aquamarine?u201d tekad Hannes.
Kedan gemetar sambil berkata, u201dItu... itu salahku. Aku menggunakan posisanku untuk mengirim seseorang ke Planet Aquamarine dan memprovokasi perang dalam diam...u201d
u201dMemang ada kaitakannya dengan Godora!u201d Hannes luber lautak, dan Bennett lompat bangun.
u201dCeritakan secara rinci apa yang telah kamu lakukan.u201d kalimat Han Xiao dengan nada aneh.
Kedan lalu mulai menceritakan prosesnya. Secara singkat, ia berpura-pura menjadi tamu dari peradaban tinggi dan menghubungi beberapa negara secara pribadi. Lalu ia membuat beber
Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
“Have you heard about the news in the Garton Star System?” one of the fat Godorans said with a chuckle. He, Kedan, had an amiable look on his face. He had once been part of Godora’s Investigation Department but had been fired because of negligence. He had even stayed in jail for a good few years because of that. After leaving prison, he had migrated to Colony Planet Gautin and had stayed there ever since. The two others beside him were his friends.
“Of course, I’ve heard the news.” Another person shook his head. “The television is reporting how many low-grade civilizations in the Star System are suffering from a calamity.”
“It’s none of our business at all. Why are you mentioning this? Could it be that you are trying to steal a card while we are distracted?”
“Scram,” Kedan said with exasperation before whispering, “Do you still remember what I told you guys about?”
“Which matter?”
“The matter when I was still in the Investigation Department.”
“Che, you’ve bragged about that matter a few hundred times, and we are tired of hearing it.”
“Do you know, that planet is currently on the list of calamity planets?” Kedan chuckled. “I wonder how it has developed over the years. I want to go back and take a look. Do you guys want to come with me?”
“Are you sure? That planet isn’t safe now.”
“The older one becomes, the more one wants to look back at one’s past achievements.” Kedan chuckled. “Furthermore, I have a friend who stayed behind in that place, so he can receive us and be our guide. Besides, the rescue squad is there, and we can either pretend to be spectators or help with the disaster relief.”
As the two of them heard that, their tones became strange.
“That can’t be right? He’s still on that backward planet? Won’t he be bored to death?”
“Are you a fool? His hibernation chamber can be connected to the net, and I have always been in touch with him. He...”
Kedan rubbed his palms with excitement, but just when he was about to continue, the doorbell rang. The sudden ringing of the doorbell caused the three of them to jump up from their seats.
“Who would come at such a time?”
Kedan had a doubtful look on his face as he walked to the door and peered into the peephole. He did not know the few standing outside the door. They were all dressed in combat attire with a ring-shaped emblem on the center of their chest. Kedan felt as though he had definitely seen that emblem before somewhere.
Opening the small window at the top of the door, Kedan showed his face and asked warily, “Who are you guys looking for?”
The other party sized up him up before asking, “Are you Golden Mitland?”
Strange, why would these people know the IGN of my web account? Kedan immediately felt that something was wrong. After denying that he was Golden Mitland, he immediately tried to shut the window. At that moment, the person outside the door raised a laser rifle and pointed it right at Kedan’s head.
Kedan’s body froze in place, and he did not dare move the slightest bit. His legs began to tremble, and he thought that the other party wanted to rob him. Before he could even plead for mercy, he heard the next question from the other party, which sent shivers down his spine.
“Do you remember Angora?”
“I... I don’t know him....” Kedan’s eyes widened and his lips trembled. At that moment, the anxiousness that he felt was on a whole different level. It was as though this name had a frightening magic.
The person outside the door shook his head and said, “It’s okay even if you don’t know him. Follow me if you don’t want to suffer.”
“To... to where?”
“Black Star wants to see you.”
...
A couple of days later, the Sky Ring spaceship silently waited outside the atmosphere of Planet Aquamarine. Han Xiao piloted the BlackLight Stealth and went up to receive them.
There were only two other people in the control room, Hannes and Bennett, and this was their first time entering the universe in a spaceship. They watched the scenery on the outside in a daze as they enjoyed this novel experience. However, it was a mere few seconds from the surface to outside the atmosphere, and they reached the universe before they could even react.
Han Xiao had left the others waiting on the surface. He was only receiving the members of Sky Ring, so there was no need to make a big fuss out of it. Sky Ring had sent him some good news—they had managed to find Angora’s friend through the information that he had provided. This friend seemed to be called Kedan, and he appeared to know about Angora.
The two spaceships were aligned, and the hatch opened up. At that moment, the face of this Godoran was dripping with anxiety, and his eyes were filled with fear.
“Don’t be afraid, I only want you to give me some intelligence.” Han Xiao took out Angora’s portrait and asked, “You know him, right?”
Kedan felt waves in his heart and shook his head vigorously.
“I put him through a lie detector; he is lying,” the Sky Ring mercenaries interjected.
“Since you are so afraid, you are probably aware of what went on behind the scenes. Let me ask you directly. Are you related to the war on Planet Aquamarine?” Han Xiao raised his brows and knew that he might have caught the mastermind.
“No! I have never heard of Planet Aquamarine before! You guys caught the wrong person!” Kedan’s lips were sealed. However, none of them believed him.
Han Xiao took out a small metal plate that was about the size of a nail and stuck it onto Kedan’s neck. He then used his Mechanical Force to activate the metal plate, and Kedan’s body began to tremble violently. His eyes turned white, and his entire body shook. With his body contorting on the ground, he lost control of his bowels.
“Let me introduce this item to you.” Han Xiao pointed at the metal plate. “When this little cutie is activated, it unleashes a powerful voltage with a good kick. If you like this feeling, you should keep your mouth shut and slowly enjoy it.”
An electrical treatment was akin to torture, and the interface showed that Kedan was only an ordinary person, not a Super.
Kedan was like a fish out of water, with his body squirming around. A few minutes later, he finally broke down in tears and promised to share everything that he knew.
Everyone then helped Kedan up and placed him on a chair for him to calm down. At the same time, they put the lie detector apparatus on him. Kedan was still trembling, and he looked at Han Xiao with a guilty expression before narrating what he knew.
“I used to be a low ranked member of the Godora Investigation Department, and that was a few decades ago. At that time, Godora had just found Planet Aquamarine, and the usual practice for a low-grade civilization was to observe their progress. My job was to monitor the progress of this new civilization, give them an evaluation, and submit a report to the Foreign Affairs Department or War Bureau. This job was extremely easy but also very boring...”
“Get to the main point. What has the war in Planet Aquamarine got to do with you?” Hannes pressed.
Kedan began trembling as he said, “That... that was my doing. I made use of my job to send someone to Planet Aquamarine and got him to incite a war in secret...”
“It is indeed related to Godora!” Hannes flew into a rage, and Bennett jumped to his feet.
“Just what exactly did you do?” Han Xiao said with an odd tone.
Kedan then began narrating the process. In summary, he had pretended to be a guest from a high-grade civilization and contacted some nations privately. He had then made a few empty promises to them or emphasized on some theories. In any case, it had been extremely easy to get those backward aboriginals to listen to the words of an alien from a high-grade civilization. He had then fanned the flames in the background.
At that time, Planet Aquamarine had just found out about the presence of a high-grade civilization in the galaxy, and the state of the entire world had fallen into chaos. If nature had been allowed to take its course, there was a chance that the situation would have stabilized on its own, and the nations would have worked together to welcome a new era of peace. This was the most logical thing to do.
But at the critical moment, aliens had fanned the flames from behind the scenes to create conflict between the various nations and light up the flames of war. Even the nations that did not wish to go to war had also been dragged into the storm and could not remain neutral.
In the end, a world war had broken out on Planet Aquamarine, and only the Six Nations had been left behind. While the source of the war had been an exhaustion of resources, the critical factor had been the ’emissary of a high-grade civilization’ leading the nations into war.
Before this, Hannes had already made such a guess, and he felt as though his guess had just been verified. Both Bennett and Hannes were extremely furious. They had both been through the world war and could feel their bones turning cold.
The civilization that was currently helping Planet Aquamarine had been the mastermind that schemed against them previously. Why would a galactic civilization want to do such a thing? Did they want to swallow Planet Aquamarine, or did they wish to eliminate all enemies with potential‽
“What about Angora?” Han Xiao asked with a frown.
“He is a childhood friend of mine, and we studied in the same public school. It is just that my results were better, and I managed to get into a school of the Investigation Department. He left the mother planet, and I didn’t see him for a long period of time. However, our relationship was still extremely good, and I reached out to him to work together with me. I got him to pretend to be an emissary while I shielded him from my post.”
Just when Han Xiao wanted to nod his head, he realized that something was wrong. A cold glare flashed past his eyes and he said, “Why was Angora the one pretending to be an emissary? He’s only an ordinary citizen.”
He found a dubious point. If Godora was behind this matter, they would definitely have sent a professional. Why would they choose someone like Angora? Could it be that Angora had another identity?
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