Jiang Ye gave a dry laugh, put down his phone, and curled back into the covers.
"All taken care of?" Cen Yemeng snuggled into her husband's embrace.
"When we went in to apprehend him, the scammer fainted. We checked his computer, confirmed it was him, and then finished him off," Jiang Ye said.
"Wasn't that a bit too harsh?"
"It's already done, so don't dwell on it." Jiang Ye yawned. "I'm sleepy, let's sleep."
The couple slept embraced, curled up in the covers like animals huddling together for warmth in winter.
...
Meeting Day.
Wheeler One.
Deep within a dark mountain valley, a cluster of unremarkable grey buildings, lights shining from their windows illuminating the valley floor. Military vehicles passed nearby, like steel beasts foraging for food, their massive wheels kicking up dust that lingered for a long time. Mechanized soldiers stood guard in the distance, their figures hidden in the darkness, occasionally reflecting metallic glints.
On the top floor of the building, Isabelle stood by the window, gazing out. She wore a sharp black suit today, her blonde hair styled up, looking very formal and neat.
"I've arrived, Old Jiang." Isabelle reached up and pressed her ear. "Can you hear me?"
"Loud and clear. The audio quality is amazing. When you yawned, the sound here was like a whale's spout," Jiang Ye's voice came through the earpiece. "The Valk delegation is on their way. If all goes smoothly, you should meet them in about an hour and a half."
"I don't know why, but I'm feeling a bit nervous," Isabelle said.
"That's not like you, Old Yi. You've met at least five hundred alien heads of state in the past two years. This time you're just meeting a minor warlord, and on our turf. What's there to be nervous about?" Jiang Ye chuckled.
"Anyone who becomes an alien head of state has commonalities. They all reside in high places and understand certain rules of engagement. But these homegrown warlords are tricky. What if Valk doesn't play by the rules?" Isabelle sighed. "Give me less of this messy work in the future. I didn't sleep well last night."
"No need to be nervous. Your mission this time is very simple: just make contact with Valk. It's the first meeting, so we're not expecting any substantial progress," Jiang Ye said. "You rest for a bit. I have an early meeting to attend. I'll contact you later."
"Can I listen in on your early meeting?" Isabelle asked.
"Sure, I'll keep the earpiece on for you."
Isabelle sat down on a chair by the window. Her aide brought her a cup of hot tea. She held it, sipping slowly, listening to Jiang Ye's morning meeting in her ears, her gaze lost in thought as she looked out the window.
Finally, a light appeared at the top of the dark valley, and a warship slowly descended.
Wheeler卫's gravity was low. As the warship landed, dust billowed, and the entire valley seemed to be caught in a sandstorm, which only cleared after several minutes.
A squad of mechanized soldiers quickly approached the warship and pulled over a white air corridor, connecting it to the warship's hatch. The air corridor quickly inflated, stabilized, and became a passage connecting the warship to the base. This allowed the visiting delegation to enter the base in casual attire without wearing spacesuits.
Isabelle handed the teacup to her aide, stood up, adjusted her clothes, and pressed her earpiece. "Old Jiang."
"Clear," Jiang Ye replied immediately.
Isabelle stood by the door, waiting silently.
After a long wait, there was no movement. Isabelle frowned and took a step forward, then suddenly heard voices in the corridor and quickly retreated to her original position.
The voices grew closer, and finally, with a click, two guards opened the large door and snapped to attention, saluting.
Valk and his wife walked in, followed by a large delegation.
Valk looked quite young, only about forty years old.
But his wife beside him was astonishingly old and gaunt, her face covered in wrinkles, her skin loose, with deep bags under her eyes, appearing at least sixty or seventy.
Isabelle was full of suspicion, but she immediately smiled, stepped forward, and shook Valk's hand.
"Respected Ms. Isabelle, the highest leader of the exiled planet, I am Valk, accompanied by my wife Okashi Aviva, and we extend our sincere greetings to you," Valk said.
"Respected Mr. and Mrs. Valk, you must be tired from your journey. I am very pleased to meet you. On behalf of Mr. Jiang Ye, I welcome you. Please, both of you and all the delegation representatives, take a seat," Isabelle nodded and gestured them forward.
Two long tables had been prepared. Isabelle sat in the middle of the left long table, with a group of delegation members seated on either side. Valk sat in the middle of the opposite long table, with his wife Okashi seated beside him, followed by more delegation members.
The guards closed the door, and the room suddenly fell silent.
"As we agreed beforehand, there are no outsiders in this room, nor are there any recording or filming devices. This meeting will not leave any documentary records," Isabelle opened the microphone. "Therefore, we can speak frankly about any issue."
"Thank you very much. First, I would like to know Mr. Jiang Ye's intentions for Wheeler," Valk said directly.
"Jiang Ye is designated as a Interstellar Peace Consul by the Galactic Empire. According to the relevant documents of the Galactic Empire, Jiang Ye must strive to maintain interstellar peace, quell riots on various planets, and provide humanitarian aid to planets experiencing social collapse due to alien invasions, natural disasters, or civil wars, ensuring the safety of civilians. Under necessary conditions, armed intervention may be implemented," Isabelle spoke fluently, having memorized these documents long ago. "Based on our assessment, Wheeler is in a state of civil war, with the populace suffering greatly. Therefore, intervention is necessary."
"However, we must point out one thing," Valk interjected. "Wheeler does not belong to the Galactic Empire. The Galactic Empire's regulations should be enforced within the Galactic Empire's territory and should not interfere externally."
"Please allow me to repeat the original text: 'must strive to maintain interstellar peace, quell riots on various planets.' This sentence does not restrict it to planets within the Galactic Empire; any planet falls within the scope of this provision," Isabelle maintained her smile.
"This is unreasonable. Your regulations should not extend to us, just as our regulations do not extend to you," Valk said. "I'm afraid the example you cited..."
Valk was halfway through his sentence when Okashi beside him opened her microphone and spoke softly:
"Although we do not belong to the Galactic Empire, we are all human. Mr. Jiang Ye, from a humanitarian perspective, wishes to achieve peace on Wheeler, end the civil war, and save the suffering people of Wheeler caught in the war. This aligns with our wishes."
After speaking, Okashi closed her microphone and smiled at her husband.
Valk nodded. "Therefore, we hope to cooperate with Ms. Isabelle and Mr. Jiang Ye to jointly discuss matters concerning Wheeler."
Isabelle gave Okashi a deep look, then turned her gaze back to Valk. "I am very pleased that we have reached an agreement. I would like to first hear Mr. Valk's analysis of the situation on Wheeler, and what plans Mr. Valk has for achieving peace."