The trade location was situated on another artificial asteroid within the Kamran Star Sector, only a short distance away.
During the transit, the other humans were properly settled, leaving Sakedi and Arthur alone in a resting nest to formally begin their negotiations. The youth sat with impeccable posture, though it lacked the rigid stiffness of the tail-flicking Kleiman.
"First, let me prove that I am who I say I am."
The blue-eyed youth smiled and quickly recited a string of digits.
"Your trade code is far too simple," the core species remarked. The Zerg had no habit of drinking tea, and humans could not directly consume the meat of exotic beasts, so they could only sit in silence and talk.
However, Simmons merely glanced at him and said nothing more. The youth remained quiet most of the time, giving his counterpart ample opportunity to ask questions.
"Why did you appear at VX197? That wasn't the trade location I was given."
Sakedi was quietly evaluating the youth, just as the youth was sizing him up.
"If we hadn't received your transmission, you would have been hemmed in by the aberrations. It has been a long time since such a massive concentration of new pollution gathered in Kamran."
Arthur did not take offense. He explained everything with a steady composure that belied his age. "The scheduled transport time was approaching. We intended to return after a quick patrol, but accidents always happen when least expected. With a 'try-anything' mindset, I sent a plea for help to the fixed communication channel. I thought Clark would receive it personally; he is usually the one who appears in Kamran."
His attitude was very sincere. "I apologize for the additional inconvenience caused to you."
Sakedi noticed that the youth’s phrasing was very elegant and obscure, unlike the simple, direct communication used by the low-level Zerg on Energy Star. So far, he had only seen such traits in one other Zerg.
It was a distinct characteristic of the core-gene ethnic groups.
Gela’s choice of words was also much more refined than that of average Zerg, but it hadn't reached this level of formal propriety.
"What is on VX197?"
"What is your relationship with Clark?"
Sakedi threw out the two most direct questions, refusing to beat around the bush. Considering the effects of distance and the blockade, his contact list currently only consisted of Clark, Gela, and the satellite base at Ja. However, upon returning to the ship, he discovered that all three parties were unreachable; none of them would accept his transmissions.
He had always trusted his intuition and did not intend to waste too much time in Kamran.
"If Clark did not tell you, then I cannot answer," Arthur replied. He scrutinized the black Zerg before him and suddenly asked an unrelated question. "You say your name is Sa. Your humanoid form looks somewhat like a certain person. Did you choose this appearance intentionally?"
A Zerg’s original form had nothing to do with humans, but the subconscious often leaned toward familiar appearances. Sakedi’s current look bore a certain resemblance to his past life, though it wasn't identical. Coincidentally, this core species body also possessed golden-brown eyes, turning what was a fifty-percent resemblance into sixty or seventy.
However, he did not believe that, given the youth's age, he could have ever seen Sakedi's past self—during his final years in the Red Deer Palace, the boy would likely have been a mere child.
"It just happened naturally," he replied, intending to offer no further explanation.
The human Sakedi Salileban was dead. Because he had no heir, he had once named Evelyn Holman as his successor. Marshal Ye Ci was advanced in years, and Klein was too academic to suppress the restless ministers. Only Evelyn, backed by the Holman family and commanding the Second Legion, possessed both terrifying strength and a sufficiently clear mind.
A former High Ruler crawling out of a grave and turning into a Zerg would only bring shock to both races; it would serve no other purpose. He would likely keep this secret buried in his depths until death. Aside from the Red Calamity and Gela, no one needed to know.
Arthur, however, was equally tight-lipped. Facing the core species' indirect probing, he didn't say a single word he shouldn't. This human’s style of conduct was very similar to that of the silver-grey Zerg, only gentler, carrying a sort of inclusive tranquility.
Whether it was the way he sat or certain unconscious micro-movements, Sakedi saw Clark’s shadow in him. It was a hell of a discovery.
*Simmons lived with Clark for a long time.*
That was the conclusion he finally reached. Just as that high-ranking Zerg was familiar with human mythology, this youth of mysterious origin was also deeply knowledgeable about the internal workings of the Zerg, even regarding the core-gene groups.
Many details were things that even Sakedi—who had dealt with Zerg for decades and now spent every day with Gela and the others—did not know. It was as if he were facing a completely indigenous local.
The warship had reached the designated position and begun unloading. The combat species were responsible for directing the small aircraft for autonomous transport.
Arthur apologized once more. "I am sorry. Most humans are still afraid of the Zerg. This fortress planet is somewhat special; no Zerg other than Clark is permitted to enter."
"Understandable."
Sakedi didn't particularly mind. Looking down from space, the entire artificial planet resembled a massive, ancient bastion floating in isolation.
"No wonder you chose this place. The soil of other planets has been saturated by the tides of aberrations. I never realized there were private human garrisons in a place like this."
"We are refugees of the space age." Arthur smiled, standing beside him to look out. "Without Imperial identification, we won't be accepted anywhere, so we live here."
Contrary to the content of his words, those blue eyes held no resentment or bitterness; they were like a pool of calm lake water.
"It is good here. This was once the station of the Fifth Army. Over two hundred years ago, they guarded the border to prevent the tide from spreading to habitable sectors. Two hundred years later, as their descendants, we also stay here to defend. Aside from supplies being difficult to obtain, everything else is fine."
It wasn't just a matter of supplies being "difficult to obtain"; the living environment in Kamran was grueling, a place no sane person would ever want to set foot in. They faced the constant risk of pollution and lacked adequate replenishment.
"You are remnants of the Federation?"
Sakedi’s mind raced. The keywords "no Imperial identification" and "descendants of the Fifth Army" triggered a realization. He turned his head, studying the youth deeply with dark, unreadable eyes.
"You know human history very well," Arthur laughed. "In a sense... yes, we are remnants of the Federation. The Empire will not recognize our status, and we have nowhere else to go. Rather than becoming wanderers or marauders in this universe, we prefer to stay in Kamran. The collapsed Akashic Rift is still in a state of incomplete decay. Even if we reported it to the Empire, it wouldn't receive enough attention. After all, this is the recognized graveyard of the stars; it's not worth the effort to garrison and defend."
"So we stay behind to watch it, to ensure the tide does not spread into human or Zerg sectors." Those gentle blue eyes carried a hint of a smile, as if he weren't discussing a topic full of hardship. "It’s not as bad as you imagine. Once you get used to life here, we are free."
"Clark sends supplies periodically so we can replenish our combat strength. I can also see him from time to time."
"Have you never thought of returning to the Empire?" Sakedi’s voice was low. This was different from the conspiracies and inside stories he had initially envisioned. He was usually a good judge of emotion; unless the youth before him was masking himself perfectly, the boy truly enjoyed this state of existence. "As far as I know, the previous Emperor issued an amnesty decree."
"There is no going back." Arthur seemed to be lost in thought. His expression held no regret, and his tone remained calm and gentle, as if patiently explaining an obvious truth to another species. "We have lost our home. Returning to an unfamiliar star sector has no meaning. There are many elderly people here—some of whom are not covered by the amnesty. If you know human history, you should know that at the end of the war between the Federation and the Empire, most officers at the rank of General or above were burdened with charges that the Empire does not allow for amnesty."
"Others lost their children and relatives in the civil war and refuse to step into the Empire's jurisdiction. They don't have much hatred left, nor much time remaining. They simply... don't want to go back. They don't want to return to the place that brought them pain. They would rather float in this graveyard of stars, waiting for death to arrive. Can you understand?"
This was an issue that could not be painted in black and white. War never proceeds according to right or wrong; it is merely one side using violence to force the other into submission. It builds the ladder of civilizational evolution at the cost of unheard cries and buried sacrifices. Too many humans died in the civil war, and too many died on the battlefields against the Zerg.
Now, Sakedi had stepped out of the game, starting everything anew with a fresh identity. But many more people still lived in the shadows of the past, never to be liberated.
"You—"
Just as he wanted to press further on this topic to gain the information he sought, his information connector suddenly pinged with a request.
Since the rescue operation began, he had almost no contact with Energy Star, and Kleiman hadn't been able to reach the satellite base either, leaving them both with a simmering anxiety. Finally, Gela’s holographic image popped up.
This was the first greeting from the male Zerg in nearly two days. However, when he saw the other’s face, Sakedi’s heart sank.
Gela was already pale, but now he looked even paler, possessing an unhealthy, sickly hue. This caused Sakedi to frown deeply. He turned away from the youth, giving a gesture of apology as he faced his companion.
"What happened to you?" he asked. "What's going on?"
"I am fine. Energy Star is also fine for now, but there are things I need to tell you as soon as possible." The other’s voice was very faint. He had to rest briefly after every sentence, trying his best to hide his weakened state. "There is internal strife in the Grey-Wing tribe. Clark has issued a death match challenge to the current Sub-King, Krisha. The reason is still uncertain. The Grey-Wing tribe is keeping this news very tightly suppressed."
"What did you do? Where did you get this news?" The core species' expression turned cold. Gela looked abnormal. Even as they spoke, he couldn't stop himself from using his hand to prop up his head, which seemed too heavy to lift. "Don't lie. You know I can see through it."
"I..." The other started to speak, but pale red blood trickled out once more, staining his chin.
Using the information connector again before he had fully recovered added fresh fuel to his already dangerously high mental redundancy.
"Roxanne." Sakedi’s voice was lower than ever before. "I will be angry."
"I... I reverse-traced the Great Information Nest." Now the male Zerg was truly frightened. His four eyes looked at the black Zerg uneasily, and half his tail curled up. "I-I'm sorry. I only... only connected for a moment and disconnected immediately."
He stammered his explanation. "I'm fine. I just need to stop using the Information Nest and the connection plugs for a short while."
The core species felt as if his blood pressure was skyrocketing, the blood rushing to his head. Since his rebirth, he had rarely experienced this sensation of his temples throbbing. He forcibly suppressed his rage on the verge of an explosion.
"Roxanne, go find Selin and the others. Have them arrange a thorough examination for you." He tried his best to keep his expression from being too harsh and his voice from being too stiff. The male was already scared enough; he shouldn't add more pressure. "Be good. Go get checked out."
"Okay. I-I'm sorry." Gela repeated his apology. His small wings and tail were all drooping, and combined with the pathetic sight of his nosebleed, he looked utterly pitiful.
This made it impossible for Sakedi to remain stern. He let out a sigh.
"You did something even I couldn't do. That is very impressive. You are very capable, Roxanne." Those golden-brown eyes looked at him. "But it also worries me—think back to when Katla and I finished our battle and I lost consciousness. Were you delighted by my victory, or were you terrified that something had happened to me? If you think of that, you can understand my feelings right now."
"I am not stopping you from trying, but be careful not to hurt yourself. No matter how urgent it is, I am far away in human space. Even if I know you are being hurt right now, I cannot immediately rush back to Ja, back to your side."
"I understand. I won't be so reckless next time." Gela’s voice was very soft. His eyes looked watery, and he was clutching a small blanket. "Can you rub my head? Just once. I miss you. I actually... really wanted to hear you praise me."
This was hard to resist. No normal person could remain cold-hearted.
Sakedi reached out and ruffled the light particles of the hologram. The white Zerg closed his eyes at the gesture, wagging his tail as if his head were truly being touched.
"I will praise you. When I return, I will check your work from this period and praise you to your face." The core species gave his promise, both the good and the bad. "At the same time, I will settle the score with you thoroughly. I'll make sure you're crying for help and begging for mercy, so you won't dare do it a second time."
As a result, he watched as the pale Zerg turned bright red in an instant. His weakness didn't stop him from performing a live color change.
"Ah? Ah..." Gela’s tongue was tied. "O-okay. I... I understand."
His tail couldn't help but curl and uncurl repeatedly.
Sakedi: "???"
***
