Chapter Thirty-Two: Shared Joy

Thirty exhausted garrison soldiers, five Panther armored cars, one captured Frankenstein tank, no air cover, and no guarantee of reinforcements—all tasked with escorting three hundred civilians, complete with their families and baggage, through the lines of a million-strong army of sand-dwellers armed with guns and artillery, and delivering them safely into the city.

If they actually pulled this off, it would be a glorious military achievement worthy of history books and tactical manuals, perhaps even an epic tale of civilization praised for centuries to come.

One might ask: what protagonist of a power-fantasy novel wouldn't want to show off? Wouldn't it be wonderful to become a hero of old, revered by civilization? So, Yu Lian was tempted... or not!

He wasn't an idiot.

Yu Lian rolled his eyes, contemplating whether he should use his psionic powers to turn the man before him into a living meatball and feed it to some space amoebas. Just then, a few people who had arrived with the councilman—likely self-appointed representatives of the public—began to clamor.

"Yes, yes, only the city is truly safe."

"Now that we have the soldiers, they can protect us, right?"

"Exactly. We're already right outside the city walls; nobody can accept staying out in the wild any longer!"

"You're a soldier, aren't you? Say something! Isn't it your duty to protect us?"

"We want safe housing, clean beds, doctors, and hot meals!"

*How about I just turn you all into meatballs and feed you to the amoebas?* Yu Lian thought with a thin smile.

Behind him, Dr. Banks looked utterly embarrassed, stepping forward to explain, only to be besieged before he could utter a word. Ina, meanwhile, was beginning to show clear signs of anger. The soldiers witnessed the scene; some were at a loss, while others began to congregate. Seeing this, the "representatives" finally quieted down a bit.

The councilman glared fiercely at the people behind him. "What are you doing? What is this? Are you some kind of mob? Everyone here is a prominent figure of New Yumen; can’t we maintain a little dignity?"

He clearly held significant influence, as they all shut their mouths sullenly. Taking advantage of the moment, he grabbed Yu Lian’s hand and said with a warm, pleasant demeanor, "I understand. Matters like these require careful deliberation, and this is hardly the place for such a conversation. Please, come with me. We can share some refreshments while we talk."

Yu Lian wanted nothing more than to shake the man off, but this suave councilman possessed surprising grip strength, and he couldn't afford to resort to force in front of everyone. In that moment of hesitation, he was dragged toward the most luxurious mobile home in the convoy.

Yu Lian recognized it as the Model 825 Kodo-beast mobile home produced by the Alliance. Its interior was incredibly spacious, fully equipped with all the amenities of life, with enough supplies and energy to sustain five or six people comfortably for two or three weeks. Furthermore, the top-tier version of this model could be fitted with military-grade armor, liquid metal plating, shields, and nanite repair bots—it was tougher than the Frankenstein tank they had captured. Even after running through sandstorms and acid rain for a week or two, it would remain pristine.

Standing before what was essentially a mobile villa, Yu Lian felt a flicker of awe—mostly due to its price tag.

He knew that all the soldiers at Outpost 12 combined would have to go without food or drink for ten years just to afford this behemoth. Yet, not far from this trailer, dozens of dusty, travel-worn buses and trucks were scattered haphazardly. The equally travel-worn ordinary citizens, wrapped in drab-colored windproof cloaks, stood around in a daze, looking like nothing more than puppets.

They still possessed some meager rations, but they were nothing more than long-stored convenience foods, and there wasn't much left.

They dared not light a fire, huddling together around low-power portable heaters. Their bodies, swaddled in windproof cloaks, shivered uncontrollably; they were no different from the scavengers and drifters lurking in the shadows of the metropolis, living hand-to-mouth.

Yu Lian had seen scenes like this many times in his future, whether involving humans or other intelligent species.

Logically, the Galactic Society, capable of traversing the sea of stars, should have long since reached an era of explosive productivity where resources were never lacking, yet the reality was anything but. Whether the technology tree had been mismanaged or the adage that "productive forces determine the relations of production" wasn't entirely accurate, Yu Lian wasn't certain.

He only knew that while the elite in every era found their own simple, boring pleasures, the masses in every era shared the same suffering and hardship.

"You see, Sub-Lieutenant, I did not deceive you. We lack food, cold-weather gear, and medicine. Everyone has reached their limit. In a little while, there won't even be any canned goods or black bread left to eat. That is why I hope you can understand the urgency everyone feels." The councilman’s face was a mask of tragic compassion.

If he hadn't been saying this inside a mobile home, bathed in the natural, warm air of a simulated ecosystem, swirling a glass of Saint-Honoré red wine, with exquisite pastries laid out on a crystal tea table before him, Yu Lian might have actually believed him.

"Pardon the poor hospitality, please don't be formal. You’ve just finished a battle and must be exhausted." The councilman was very warm—or rather, *too* warm, acting exactly like a friendly, hospitable neighbor.

He poured a glass of red wine for Yu Lian. "Sub-Lieutenant, I heard you are a student at the Central Defense University? This must be your graduation internship!"

"...Indeed. I will graduate next summer."

"That is wonderful. I graduated from the Department of Civil Engineering at the Wu Port Military Academy, though I eventually missed the chance to serve in the military, and later earned a degree from the Venice Business School. You see, we share a similar background, which provides the foundation for a proper conversation."

It took Yu Lian nearly two seconds to grasp the man's implication. Because he was a student at the Defense University—a member of the military's so-called "elite bureaucratic circle"—he was qualified to have an equal dialogue with an elite graduate like the councilman. If the leader of this group hadn't been him, but rather Lieutenant Mondesen, the councilman would never have been this polite.

Well, it was perfectly logical. Various chains of contempt formed class, and they formed society. Academic snobbery was naturally a part of it, and a significant one at that.

"We are the elite of society and the nation; we only occasionally need to shoulder heavier responsibilities. You understand, don't you? Of course, this includes certain things that might be... misunderstood."

"Well, Councilman... whatever it is you need me to do, please be direct."

"Excellent. Straight to the point—that is exactly how an elite of our military academy should behave," the man praised.

Yu Lian thought that if he weren't a so-called "Moon-dweller," the councilman would likely have dismissed him as a "crude brute, unworthy of planning with."

"I understand your concerns, Sub-Lieutenant. With your small number of troops, it is impossible to protect everyone and break into Tulong. The trucks and buses those refugees are riding in can't even withstand the claws of a velociraptor."

The councilman’s words caught Yu Lian by surprise. The man smiled at his reaction: "Didn't I say? I studied at the military academy too; I’m something of a senior to you. I have a basic grasp of military knowledge. It’s just that, from my position, I truly cannot make everyone keep their heads."

Yu Lian swirled his wine glass, watching the man silently. Whether playing the role of a comrade or a pitiful victim, it was the traditional craft of these people; anyone who took them seriously was a fool.

"However, you have seen this vehicle of mine. We can scrape together three or four of these trailers equipped with shields and armor. Add those to your Panther cars and the tank, and that should be sufficient as a breakthrough force."

One had to admit, the councilman had a point. While there wasn't another monster like the Kodo-3 in the convoy—which could crush a large velociraptor instantly—there were indeed a few other high-end trailers with better defensive ratings than the Panthers. After all, this was New Yumen; those who dared to invest and buy property here had to value their lives.

In terms of raw defense, this was already a capable armored assault force. However, Yu Lian still had questions: "...Abandon the trucks?"

"In a breakout, they will only be a burden. You should know that better than I."

"There are over a thousand people in the convoy. These few trailers... can they even fit them?"

"This is exactly what I meant by things that might be misunderstood. You are still young, Sub-Lieutenant. You will learn in time that no matter how hard you try, there are always disappointments and injustices. Perhaps that is simply life. But we cannot let the pursuit of some ethereal, elusive fairness hinder the greater good."

*What is this 'greater good' you speak of? Your own life?*

"The trailers can fit about a hundred people. I will bring along some important figures and their families. Don't worry, Sub-Lieutenant; they are socialites of a certain status, with influence in the Tulong Council—and, well, even back in the Galactic heartlands. When this is over, people will only remember that you saved a hundred lives, including the elderly and children."

*But I will remember that I abandoned the other thousand, including the elderly and children.*

"Of course, the remaining people are indeed quite pitiable. You can leave a small squad behind to protect them; as long as you hold the valley entrance, they should be able to hold out until reinforcements arrive. Yes, the Spirits of the Universe willing, they will surely be able to hold on to the end."

Yu Lian fought back the urge to destroy something, keeping his smile fixed—he was surprised himself that he could still manage to smile at a time like this.

"...Why not wait a few more days? Councilman, I estimate that a counter-attack will be launched from within Tulong soon. Reinforcements from the Garrison Command and the Outer Rim Fleet should also arrive shortly. Why must we risk entering the city?"

"Ah, haven't you seen it? Everyone's supplies won't last much longer." The councilman sipped his wine and popped a small pastry into his mouth.

*Yes, wait another day or two, and the starving masses might come for you. Once people are desperate, hearing the cries of children hungry enough to weep, even the softest souls can turn into monsters. Is that why you want me to escort you into the city first?*

*So, managing the convoy's supplies collectively and distributing the surplus from the rich to the starving poor—that option was never on the table for you, was it?*