Ch. 306..310: Interstellar_ Return of the Villain Chapter 306-310

Chapter 306: The Long Night

The voices of Alliance citizens were like a soft drizzle—quiet and ineffective against the military’s lofty indifference.

Those in power paid little attention to public opinion, focusing only on achieving their desired outcomes.

The handover of responsibilities was a tedious process, a task both intricate and exhausting.

After assigning the detailed work to Mandy and her team, Lyra departed for Planet Nagano, where Shane and his group of 500 had just returned to the LE Energy branch.

Near the spaceship bound for Voidstar No. 2, the five hundred stood in flawless formation.

"They’re all here," Shane reported to Lyra.

Knowing they would soon leave, Shane’s gaze reflected a complex mix of emotions as he looked at her. The others shared his sentiment.

These former space pirates, once reliant on robbery and violence, had become skilled technicians after years of manning excavation machinery.

They now had the ability to secure high-paying jobs without reverting to their old ways.

"Get on the ship," Lyra ordered curtly.

Lyra wasted no words. She had trained these pirates well, and now it was time to return them to Liliana.

One by one, they bid her farewell and boarded the ship.

Shane was the last to leave. Just as he reached the gangway, he suddenly clenched his fists, turned back, and strode up to her.

"I want to keep working for you," he declared, his voice firm and his eyes blazing.

Lyra’s lips curled into a faint smile of approval. "Fine."

Shane’s face lit up with joy.

On the ship, his former subordinates saw this and immediately clamored, "We want to stay too!" They tried to rush back down but were stopped by a shimmering green energy shield.

"Liliana isn’t going to let me keep all of you," Lyra said, raising an eyebrow.

The ship’s door closed, leaving the group wailing and accusing her of being heartless.

Back at base, Lyra contacted Liliana via a specialized opticomputer.

"I’ve returned your people, but I’m keeping Shane. He’s useful," Lyra said.

Liliana appeared on screen in a leather jacket, her plunging neckline accentuating her bold presence.

Twirling her luscious curls, she pouted playfully.

"If you say so, of course I’ll let you keep him!" she replied with a sly wink. "But I still need to explain this to my boss. Don’t worry—if I have to offer myself up to get his approval, I’ll do it. All for you."

Behind Lyra, Shane peeked out, stunned. He had never imagined Liliana answered to someone even more formidable.

A quick glance at Lyra’s furrowed brows confirmed she hadn’t expected it either.

"You..." Lyra began but ultimately held back her questions. "I owe you one."

Liliana chuckled, clearly enjoying Lyra’s reaction. "I heard your Voidstar No. 1 was stolen. Furious, aren’t you? How about joining me instead? Trust me, one appearance from you here, and the whole galaxy would be stunned!"

"Not planning on it," Lyra replied flatly.

"Someday, though. I’ll be waiting!" Liliana teased, flashing a knowing smile. Then, with a flirtatious air, she added, "I’ll go inform HIM now," and ended the call with a playful kiss blown through the screen.

Shane, realizing he was officially staying, clenched his fists in triumph.

"From now on, you’ll head to Wyrmtrace to assist Morrison," Lyra ordered, dismissing him efficiently.

As he left, Debbie entered the room, her expression tinged with an unusual trace of resentment.

Over the years, she had grown bolder in Lyra’s presence. While still not fully assertive, her expressions now betrayed her feelings—like the exaggerated pout she wore at this moment.

"Boss, am I still your adorable little assistant?" she asked, her tone tinged with grievance.

"Hmm?" Lyra responded, genuinely puzzled.

Debbie darted forward, crouched at Lyra’s feet, and launched into an overly dramatic tirade. "I’ve been working tirelessly to manage Wyrmtrace, and now you let Morrison steal my cake? Boss, how could you be so unfair? Boohoo!"

She wasn’t done yet and even jabbed at Lyra. "Just because someone stole your achievements doesn’t mean I have to suffer the same fate!"

Lyra observed her theatrics with serene detachment. In moments like these, she often wondered why so many eccentric people ended up working under her.

"Are you done crying?" Lyra asked.

Debbie blinked her large eyes, failing to produce even a single tear. "Depends on how you plan to deal with this."

Her message was clear: unless she got her way, the dramatics would continue—though she’d still handle the work regardless.

"All right. From now on, you’ll oversee Elden Prime entirely. Like Morrison, you’ll get a 5% equity stake."

"Oh!" Debbie sprang to her feet, her tear-streaked face instantly replaced with calm professionalism.

She placed a stack of documents on Lyra’s desk as if nothing had happened.

In a composed, formal tone, she reported, "Boss, here’s a report from Morrison. He asked me to deliver it to you."

After receiving Lyra’s signature, Debbie strutted out of the room in her high heels.

The moment she was out of sight, she pulled out her opticomputer and made a call.

"Hello, is this the moving company? I need to relocate to Elden Prime immediately. Send people over to pack up my things—right now!"

She paused, then added, "Make it quick. No matter how much it costs, you name it."

Hanging up, Debbie brushed a hand over her hairline and smiled with relief. At last, she thought, ’I’m finally one of the rich ones.’

...

Massive starships floated silently around a colossal structure in deep space, resembling bees circling a hive.

Liliana, recalling Lyra’s subtle expressions, couldn’t help smiling. With a spring in her step, she entered the ship’s command center.

The room’s usual casual atmosphere shifted dramatically when the Leader was present.

A towering figure, clad entirely in heavy armor, stood at the center. His imposing presence exuded a chilling vibe, more machine than human.

The crew around them worked in tense silence, their gazes a mixture of fear and reverence.

Though Liliana often teased Lyra, she became formal and serious in the Leader’s presence. "Sir, the group has been returned as requested."

The armored figure turned slightly, nodding. A mechanical voice, distorted by the suit, responded, "Good."

Liliana hesitated before adding, "One of them, Shane, was taken by her."

The Leader didn’t react visibly, only murmuring, "Understood. Accelerate the construction of the base. Time is running out."

"Yes, sir."

His gaze swept across the room, freezing every subordinate in place. Without another word, they turned and left for their private quarters.

As the door closed, the command center collectively exhaled in relief.

One of Liliana’s former subordinates, now a pilot, whispered, "Why does his presence feel more terrifying every day?"

Years ago, after escaping Demetra, Liliana and her crew had stumbled upon this mysterious figure drifting in space. They had taken her group in and guided them in building this space station.

Over time, their initial wariness had shifted to respect—and fear.

Liliana didn’t answer the pilot’s question. Instead, she posed one of her own. "Do you think he is stronger than Lyra?"

The pilot caught her meaning immediately. "You think when he said ’time is running out,’ it’s because Sis Marv has become a threat to him?"

The unspoken question lingered heavily in the air: Who, or what, exactly is him?

At the same time, the Empire had begun monitoring Liliana and her associates.

"Sir, we’ve detected the Long Night pirates operating in the border region between the Alliance and the Empire. Over the years, they’ve expanded their operations and influence significantly—"

The officer stopped mid-report, silenced by the icy glare of Westros.

"Sir?" the officer asked cautiously.

"There’s no need to pursue this matter," Westros said coldly, his tone leaving no room for debate.

Chapter 307: Admiral Conners

The handover of responsibilities was completed swiftly.

One day, Lyra personally delivered the meticulously organized documents to Conners’ office.

"Thank you, Rear Admiral Shedd," Conners said, his plump face beaming with a ruddy glow. "I deeply regret the circumstances. I never expected Fleet Admiral Frederick to make such an arrangement. But don’t worry—when the time comes and you’re needed, he’ll surely send you back to the front lines."

Behind Lyra, Phelixes clenched his fists, barely restraining his anger. Yet, without Lyra’s orders, he remained still.

"We’re both just following orders. It doesn’t matter," Lyra said with a salute. "Wishing you success in your new post, sir."

Conners chuckled, interpreting her words as thinly veiled sarcasm.

With Dale’s recent interference in Lyra’s affairs having subsided, Conners’ hostility toward her had become increasingly overt.

Quietly and without fanfare, he had taken Voidstar No. 1 from Lyra’s control.

To everyone’s surprise, Lyra didn’t react with anger or outrage. Her eerie calm unsettled the Alliance’s military leadership far more than any outburst might have.

On the day Conners was set to depart for Voidstar No. 1, Admiral Dale issued him a pointed warning.

"Be careful. Lyra might have something up her sleeve."

Conners merely laughed. "Relax, old friend. What could Lyra possibly do?"

Conners was confident. The Alliance Military Council had issued Lyra strict orders to remain stationed on Elden Prime and prohibited her from leaving the base without authorization. Conners was certain she couldn’t confront him even if she wanted to.

Still, he erred on the side of caution, purchasing additional defensive equipment from the Mecha Association to prepare for any potential surprises.

When Conners arrived at Voidstar No. 1, he was utterly shocked by the sight of Central City.

Skyscrapers stretched toward the sky, bustling streets brimmed with life, and even the trees lining the roads were vibrant and full of fresh, green leaves.

The city radiated vitality and progress.

He hadn’t expected Lyra to achieve such remarkable results in just over half a year. A barren planet had been transformed into a thriving hub.

Satisfied, Conners stroked his chin. Inheriting such a well-developed project felt like a stroke of fortune. Yet for him, this wasn’t enough.

A glint of calculation flashed in his eyes.

Helion and Aurelius met with him to complete the formalities, handing him a crystal keycard.

"This is the key to the dungeon," Helion explained tersely. "All high-profile prisoners are secured below."

The two men carried themselves with professional restraint, but their barely contained anger was evident.

Conners noted this and decided to push further. "I want your caravan gone as well. Since this planet is under my jurisdiction now, I won’t tolerate any misuse of public resources."

His plan was simple. Once Lyra’s team was gone, he’d accuse her of breaching contract terms, reclaim the Alliance’s development funds, and bring in his loyalists to finish the work.

Planetary development grants were notoriously generous, after all.

Helion’s eye twitched. "Admiral Conners, the Stellar Caravan was officially assigned to the Voidstar No. 1 project. Their work has exceeded quality standards."

Conners sneered. "Official or not, I’m in charge now."

Helion’s fist clenched, his restrained fury clear as day. He looked ready to strike the smug admiral.

Aurelius quickly grabbed his arm, his expression grim. "We’ll take our people and leave at once."

With that, he dragged a reluctant Helion out of the office.

As they left, they caught sight of Conners sweeping Lyra’s belongings off the desk and into the trash. Their faces turned pale with rage.

"Let me go, Aurelius!" Helion growled under his breath, his teeth gritted in frustration.

"Drop it," Aurelius muttered, keeping his voice low. "Don’t make things harder for Lyra."

The two stormed off, their muttered curses echoing faintly in the corridor. Conners leaned back in his chair, thoroughly pleased with the effect he’d had on them.

After leaving the office building, Helion and Aurelius shed their tense expressions as though the earlier confrontation had never happened.

Helion even smirked. "Tsk, let the old fool enjoy his victory for now."

Aurelius glanced back at the building. "Let’s go. If he catches on too soon, we’ll be in trouble."

Helion lazily pulled out a communicator from his pocket. "Move out, now."

The workers, who had been operating machinery just moments before, quickly packed up their equipment and loaded it onto transport vehicles.

In a seamless, coordinated effort, they headed for the spaceport.

Meanwhile, the Legion of Everglow crew was already aboard their ships, waiting as though everything had been planned from the start.

From the moment Conners landed to the completion of the withdrawal, the Legion of Everglow departed in just under an hour.

Watching the fleet vanish into the atmosphere, Conners sneered. "Well-trained, I’ll give them that."

Conners spent the next few hours patrolling New Central City, using the documents Lyra’s team had provided.

The more he explored, the more impressed—and satisfied—he became.

His previous post had been overcrowded, its resources stretched thin by the presence of multiple military factions.

Here, however, he had a pristine, developing planet all to himself, located on the border in a prime strategic position.

Imagining his bright future, he chuckled, the folds of his face sinking further into his fleshy cheeks as his narrow eyes gleamed.

At the local school, Conners found Kail, Lyra’s younger brother, standing at the gate.

Kail kept his head low, carefully masking his disdain.

As expected, Conners had no intention of letting Kail stay.

"Admiral Conners," Kail said politely, "I find myself unsuited for this school post. Please allow me to resign."

"Oh?" Conners’ eyes lit up. He hadn’t even needed to dismiss the boy himself. Still, he feigned concern. "Young man, you must have drive. Rear Admiral Shedd placed you here. If you leave, what will people think of me?"

Kail nearly gagged. The man was already drowning in public criticism from Alliance citizens, yet he claimed to care about appearances?

"I’ll return to running the orphanage," Kail replied evenly.

"Ah, very noble! Contributing to Voidstar No. 1’s public welfare. Rest assured, I’ll support your efforts wholeheartedly."

"...Thank you. I’ll submit my resignation tomorrow."

Kail turned on his heel and headed for the school’s exit.

"Wait!"

Conners’ voice stopped him. Kail took a deep breath before turning back. "Is there anything else, Admiral?"

"The children—where are they?" Conners asked.

Kail replied, "Ah, you may not know this, sir, but today is Voidstar No. 1’s rest day. All the students are on holiday."

With a curt nod, Kail quickly departed, unable to suppress his relief.

With Kail gone and no civilians left in the city, New Central City was now entirely under Conners’ control.

The wind blew, stirring up dust from the ground. The empty streets and swirling grit gave the city an eerie, desolate feeling.

"General, something feels off," Conners’ adjutant murmured.

Conners twisted the ring on his finger thoughtfully. "Let’s check the dungeon."

A creeping suspicion crossed his mind. ’Could that woman have released the space pirates?’

At the dungeon entrance, Conners used his psychokinesis to sense the presence of numerous individuals below.

Relieved, he approached the door.

The gate was equipped with a superpower suppressor—an unexpected feature. Curious, he pressed the crystal keycard against the access panel.

The heavy metal door creaked open, revealing a crowded cell filled with prisoners.

At the front of the group stood Gino and his companions. Upon spotting Conners, Gino waved cheerfully. "Hi there, Admiral Conners!"

Conners’ blood ran cold.

The prisoners’ wrists were unbound.

Almost instinctively, Conners activated the defensive ring on his finger, summoning a shimmering energy shield. He stepped back through the doorway.

"Close the door!" he barked.

His adjutant, trembling, fumbled with the crystal keycard to shut the gate.

Before he could succeed, a shimmering pool of liquid formed on the floor. It gave off a faint, unmistakable scent of alcohol.

From the puddle, Gino’s head emerged with eerie smoothness. In an instant, he twisted the adjutant’s neck with a sickening crack.

The lifeless body collapsed as the gate remained ominously open.

 

Chapter 308: Karma Is a Witch

Before Lyra’s departure, Voidstar No. 1 had been pristine—so immaculate that even the green leaves lining the streets seemed to shimmer with newness.

Now, a chilling transformation was taking hold.

The rhythmic *drip-drip* of liquid echoed, resembling raindrops, but it wasn’t rain.

Soon, the once-vibrant green leaves were soaked in blood. Fresh bricks, now baptized in crimson, bore grim testimony to the horror.

Agonized screams and frenzied shouts filled the largest city on Voidstar.

"Hey! Over there! A bunch of ’em! I saw ’em first!"

Space pirates, dressed in white prison uniforms, prowled the streets, hunting soldiers clad in spotless white military attire.

High above, atop one of the tallest buildings, Gino held a bottle of liquor.

Without hesitation, he hurled a military officer off the roof. As the body plummeted, he took a long swig, guzzling the burning liquid.

Nearby, Markle crouched over a naked female officer, dragging a blade across her skin in slow, cruel patterns.

From a distance, a white bird descended, shifting mid-air into Broken Blade, a towering figure. Her prison attire, stretched taut, tore apart.

She picked up the discarded clothing of a mutilated female officer and draped it over himself.

"Where’s that old bastard Conners?" Gino asked, wiping liquor from the corner of his mouth.

"No sign of him," Broken Blade replied, shaking her head. "I staked out the spaceport for hours. Everyone else retreated, but that slippery bastard’s nowhere to be seen."

Markle, dissatisfied with his bloody artwork, snapped the woman’s neck without hesitation.

Cleaning his hands, he frowned deeply. "If we don’t kill that fat old pig, you think THAT witch will let us live?"

"Even if we didn’t get him, she’s probably already gotten what she wanted." Gino stared blankly at the carnage below.

The high-ranking officers of the three pirate factions hunted the military personnel like wolves feasting on helpless prey.

Corpses littered the city—on the ground, in the trees—turning the once-pristine streets into a grotesque morgue before they had a chance to welcome their first residents.

"That witch sure knows how to play dirty," Markle muttered, swallowing nervously.

Gino snorted. "That’s because the military’s filth pushed her too far."

"Oh? Sounds like you know those old geezers pretty well," Markle teased.

"Too well," Gino growled, downing another gulp from his bottle. He pulled out the deceased woman’s opticomputer, dialed a lone contact, and spoke casually:

"Mission accomplished. Wanna see it for yourself?"

Without waiting for a response, he activated a live feed.

On the other side of the screen, Lyra’s eyes narrowed slightly as she observed the crimson-streaked scene.

"And Conners?" she asked.

Gino shook his head. "No idea. We chased him as far as we could, but he disappeared. Probably used some high-grade spatial transportation tech. The old fox wouldn’t come here without a backup plan."

Lyra drummed her fingers lightly against her desk. Conners’ urgency in stationing troops on Voidstar No. 1 had seemed uncharacteristic—unusual for someone who thrived on scheming from the shadows.

Before she could respond, Mandy entered and saluted. "The Alliance Military Council has summoned you."

Lyra ended the call without hesitation and left immediately for the council chambers.

...

When she arrived, she was greeted by familiar faces, though the atmosphere was strikingly different.

Gone were the polite smiles and hollow compliments. Every gaze carried the weight of accusation. The tension in the room was suffocating.

At the center of it all was a 3D projection of Conners, his furious visage distorted by the hologram’s light.

Lyra was momentarily taken aback; she hadn’t expected him to retreat to the main fleet so quickly.

The moment their eyes met, Conners erupted, his anger blazing hot enough to scorch the air.

"Lyra! Do you even realize the gravity of your crimes?!" he roared, his voice reverberating through the solemn chamber.

Lyra remained unfazed, her expression calm as still water. "I don’t get what you mean, Admiral Conners," she replied evenly.

Conners slammed his hand against the table and rose with a roar. "Don’t play coy with me! Why did you violate Alliance military law? You didn’t use superpower suppressors on the key prisoners! They’ve escaped! Do you have any idea how many Alliance soldiers have died because of this?"

The mounting death toll silenced the room. Even Raphel and Dessel, who were often at odds with Conners, now shared his grim expression.

"I didn’t use superpower suppressors?" Lyra countered coolly. "Wasn’t one installed on the gate? You opened it yourself. Surely, you didn’t miss it."

The simplicity of her statement left Conners momentarily speechless.

Indeed, regulations mandated suppressors for dangerous prisoners—but they didn’t specify where the suppressors had to be installed.

Lyra had placed hers on the gate.

Before Conners could recover, Lyra twisted the dagger. "So, by that logic, the escape of those prisoners falls under your direct responsibility, Admiral Conners."

She had exploited the loophole in the regulations with surgical precision.

"You... you did this on purpose!" Conners fumed, his chest heaving with rage. "You deliberately withheld control of their powers, created this ticking time bomb, and didn’t even warn me!"

"Admiral Conners, you overestimate me," Lyra replied, her voice steady as ice. "I assumed you took control of Voidstar No. 1 in such haste because you had a well-thought-out plan. After all, those prisoners posed no threat to me. Their escape reflects on your incompetence, not mine."

Her lips curled into a cold smirk. "It’s like I bought you dinner for free, yet you are here blaming me for not spoon-feeding you, then crying when you drop the bowl yourself."

"Enough!" A sudden shout rang out, cutting through the tension like a blade. Frederick’s sharp gaze pinned Lyra in place. "Rear Admiral Shedd, tens of thousands of Alliance soldiers have died. Do you truly feel no remorse?"

Frederick’s accusation hung heavily in the air. It was clear to everyone—Lyra had done this intentionally.

Conners had stolen the fruits of her victory, rushing to claim credit after she subdued the pirates. This was her revenge.

"Why should I feel remorse?" Lyra’s face grew colder, her voice even frostier. "Subduing the space pirates? That was my accomplishment. Their escape? That’s your failure. Let’s not forget, I withdrew under orders. Shouldn’t the guilt fall on those who issued the withdrawal in the first place?"

Her words struck like lightning. Everyone froze, knowing full well that the retreat had been a collective decision—one they had all voted on.

Valeria, crushing her cigarette into an ashtray, stared at the young woman who now seemed utterly fearless in the face of her superiors. For the first time, she began to understand Frederick’s concern.

At that moment, the previously silent Supreme Peculiar, Ronin, finally raised her head.

Framed by fiery red hair, her wrinkled face carried an air of sharp authority. "Young lady, I suggest you learn to restrain yourself. We old relics aren’t dead yet."

The warning, sharp and commanding, might have cowed another officer. But Lyra wasn’t just anyone.

"Admiral Conners should have anticipated this from the moment he deployed troops to Voidstar No. 1," Lyra replied smoothly. "Even if these space pirates hadn’t escaped, others were bound to return. So why am I the one being blamed?"

As if on cue, a transmission came through from Voidstar No. 1. The escaping space pirates had regrouped and launched a full-scale assault, seizing control of every major city.

The screen displayed their triumphant gestures, mocking the surveillance satellites with raised flags and open challenges.

This stark image lent weight to Lyra’s words. The pirates had returned, stronger than anyone expected.

The council had presumed that Lyra’s earlier pacification of the system was the end of the conflict, but reality had proved them dangerously wrong.

The council debated the fallout of Lyra’s actions, with Conners desperate to see her punished.

Yet, as much as he fanned the flames of indignation, the room’s collective gaze lingered on Lyra with a mix of frustration and grudging acceptance.

The harsh reality was clear: without her, Voidstar No. 1 would remain a ticking time bomb no one else could defuse.

The still-ignored Ronin suddenly volunteered.

"Sir, I’ll personally take a trip to Voidstar No. 1 and wipe out those space pirates for good," she declared, her fiery tone aimed squarely at undercutting Lyra’s authority.

Ronin wasn’t about to let a young upstart run unchecked.

Conners’ eyes lit up. "Yes, let her join me in securing Voidstar No. 1. Together, we’ll ensure stability."

But Frederick quickly intervened, his voice steady and final. "That’s impossible. The Empire’s Supreme Peculiars hasn’t shown themselves yet. If Ronin relocates to the border, she risks drawing an enemy counterattack. Losing Voidstar No. 1 is one thing—losing a Supreme Peculiar would be catastrophic."

He fixed his gaze on Lyra, the young officer whose calm demeanor had become the center of the storm.

After a tense moment of silence, Frederick issued his decision. "Lyra and Conners will jointly command the garrison at Voidstar No. 1."

 

Chapter 309: Building a Space Base

The high-ranking officers believed they had reached a practical resolution.

Lyra, after all, was already stationed there; having her remain would require little extra effort.

But Lyra wasn’t about to accept so easily.

She raised her hands in a gesture of mock surrender.

"The central city of Voidstar No. 1 is the only viable hub. Surely, you’re not expecting me to work under Admiral Conners’ authority?"

Frederick, anticipating her resistance, replied, "Voidstar No. 1’s geography doesn’t support a second human settlement. Its population is too sparse, and its resources too limited to attract merchants. Development would stagnate."

Lyra acknowledged the truth in his words but countered swiftly.

"But it’s perfect for constructing a space base."

Her suggestion sent ripples through the room. The admirals exchanged uneasy glances, unsure why Lyra was so insistent on maintaining separate authority.

The Alliance had only a limited number of habitable planets, and command positions on them were coveted.

Space bases, however, were a different story. Built between planets, they were less luxurious but served critical defensive and logistical roles, providing safe havens for civilian ships and fortifying nearby planetary systems.

Before Frederick could respond, Raphel slapped his thigh enthusiastically.

"Exactly! Voidstar No. 1’s defenses are thin as it is. Adding a space base would be perfect!"

As someone stationed on a border space base himself, Raphel knew the value of such installations.

Though less comfortable than planet-based postings, bases were challenging and autonomous—ideal for officers who disliked political entanglements.

"That’s a solid idea," added Dessel, nodding thoughtfully. "Planetary defenses are subject to rotational and orbital vulnerabilities. A space base could offer tighter security."

Even Dale, usually neutral, voiced his support.

"I agree. While Voidstar No. 1 has Demetra and Snowfall behind it, the distances are significant. The defensive line is stretched too thin. A space base would fill that gap."

From Conners’ perspective, the proposal also held merit. His animosity with Lyra was well-known; having them share command of the same city was a recipe for disaster.

Separating their jurisdictions might prevent future conflicts.

Finally, Valeria, after taking a long drag from her cigarette, added her agreement.

She often found herself siding with Lyra, admiring the younger officer’s sharp mind and fearless attitude.

With four admirals in favor, even Conners begrudgingly relented.

"Fine," he muttered. He, too, had no desire to work alongside Lyra directly. The thought of their inevitable clashes made his head throb.

Frederick mulled over Lyra’s proposal and concluded it was indeed a practical solution. With her stationed in deep space, the risk of space pirates regrouping and infiltrating the Alliance would be significantly reduced. He nodded in approval.

"Let’s proceed as planned," he declared.

When the official documents reached the Alliance’s Defense Budget Office, Leona nearly fainted.

"Another space base?" she exclaimed, slamming the papers onto her desk.

The Central City on Voidstar No. 1 was still under construction, and they hadn’t seen any return on investment yet. Now, they were already funding a second project?

She gripped her pen so tightly it almost snapped. The military always demanded funding without considering whether the treasury could handle the strain.

One of her staff tried to calm her down, saying, "But, ma’am, the admirals argue that without the space base, space pirates could infiltrate the Alliance, and there’s also the threat of the Empire..."

Hearing this, Leona pinched the bridge of her nose in frustration. Reluctantly, she signed the documents.

Lyra had made Wyrmtrace Planet a fortune during her earlier deployment, which had somewhat balanced the military’s expenses.

But now, as she tallied the numbers, Leona realized they were funneling funds from one of Lyra’s projects straight into another.

"It’s like this woman’s moving money from her left pocket to her right," Leona muttered, shaking her head.

---

Meanwhile, Lyra received word that the funds had been approved. Her eyes sparkled with satisfaction.

Not long after, Mandy knocked on her door.

"Conners’ secretary is asking when we’ll be transferring the funds for Voidstar No. 1’s center city."

Lyra’s lips curled into a faint smirk. "Legion of Everglow has worked hard to keep this place running. Naturally, we deserve a little compensation for our efforts. Handle it as you see fit."

Mandy nodded, instantly understanding Lyra’s intentions. "Understood, ma’am."

She promptly adjusted all the financial statements, ensuring the numbers accurately reflected the expenses—and a bit more.

Then she handed the revised ledger to Conners’ secretary for confirmation.

The man turned pale as he scanned the documents.

"Why did this cost so much?" he demanded.

"With all due respect," Mandy replied smoothly, "Rear Admiral Shedd personally subsidized some of the costs to ensure top-quality materials were used during the initial build. Now that the project has transferred, we can’t continue footing the bill ourselves, can we?"

Her polite smile only made the man’s frustration worse.

"Fine," he snapped. "We’ll transfer the funds to the bank immediately."

"I suggest you do so quickly," Mandy added, unfazed by his outburst. "We’re departing for our new post in three days."

What Mandy didn’t mention was that they had secured premium materials through Snakehead, who offered prices far below the market standard.

While the records reflected fair costs, the actual expenses were much lower. If Conners tried to investigate, he’d find everything perfectly aboveboard.

Realizing this, Conners’ secretary reluctantly returned to his superior with far less money than expected.

...

When Conners received the funds, he nearly exploded with rage.

"How are we supposed to finish construction with this paltry amount?"

In truth, the amount was sufficient to complete the project, but not enough to line his pockets as he’d hoped. Furious, he submitted a request for additional funding. However, before he could celebrate, Leona called him personally.

Her "greeting" was a scathing reprimand that left him red-faced. At the end of the conversation, she delivered her verdict in two curt words:

"No funds."

...

Ignoring Conners’ tantrum, Lyra and her team left for the designated site of the space base.

She had anticipated such obstacles and planned meticulously to work within the tight budget.

Alliance regulations dictated that when official resources could be prepared, additional funding would be minimized.

Lyra submitted a detailed materials list, which was quickly approved. The Military Supply Department sprang into action, coordinating with manufacturers specializing in modular space base components.

Soon, large transport ships began delivering the necessary parts to the chosen location in deep space.

The efficiency of the operation was akin to assembling an interstellar warship, with the prefab modules designed for quick deployment.

Lyra’s caravan sprang into action, moving with precision and efficiency.

In the weightless expanse of outer space, freed from gravity’s constraints and supported by advanced machinery, construction progressed even faster than it would on a planetary surface.

In just six months, the space base began to take shape—a testament to meticulous planning and relentless execution.

...

When the final shipment of materials and funds from the Alliance arrived, Mandy personally oversaw the inspection.

Once satisfied, she brought the paperwork to Lyra for her signature.

Lyra signed her name with a steady hand, then stood and moved to the window.

Outside, the vastness of space stretched endlessly, an abyss of infinite darkness.

"Mandy," she said quietly, her tone a mix of resolve and triumph, "the day has finally come."

"Yes, it has," Mandy replied, standing at attention.

The small viewport framed the base’s exterior like a glowing scale on the back of a massive beast, each light a testament to their effort.

Behind her back, Lyra’s hand clenched into a fist.

"Notify Snakehead and Caesara. It’s time for the final step."

Although she hadn’t secured Voidstar No. 1, gaining control of the space base had proven to be an even better outcome than expected.

The void outside was pitch black, yet Mandy felt as though Lyra was a star rising within it—burning brightly, fiercely radiant, yet too scorching for anyone to approach.

...

Once the official transport ships departed, another fleet arrived at the base.

This time, the cargo contained specialized equipment, and the passengers included Koros, Sean, and their team of technical experts.

Having exhausted their part of resources of Wyrmtrace, their prior mission had reached its conclusion.

Now, they had packed their things and made the journey to the space base.

Koros wasted no time exploring the facility. Accompanied by a group of mechanics, he inspected every corner with an engineer’s critical eye—and an unrestrained tongue.

"Tsk, tsk. Alliance tech is as unimpressive as ever," he muttered, shaking his head.

Sean chuckled. "No surprise there. It’s why the Empire keeps wiping the floor with them on the battlefield."

Koros sneered. "The old fools at the Mechanical Association have brains as rusty as their outdated blueprints. Expecting them to innovate is like expecting a rock to float."

He clicked his tongue, looking smug. "Good thing we have HER. Tsk, tsk."

Sean smirked knowingly. "Still bitter about the Association, huh?"

"Bitter? Nah," Koros scoffed, though his tone suggested otherwise. "They looked down on my inventions back then, but they couldn’t design their way out of a trash heap. Their ’cutting-edge’ tech couldn’t hold a candle to this."

He gestured proudly to the machinery and systems he’d already begun tweaking to perfection.

Chapter 310: Pirates Gone

Lyra called Koros into her office. "How’s the preparation going for what I asked you to do?" she asked.

Before Koros could answer, Assisbot No. 1 puffed up proudly, putting its hands on its hips. "I’ve been monitoring his work every single day. Only the finishing touches are left!"

The bot scurried over to Lyra, its mechanical eyes sparkling with star patterns. "Boss, look at how hard I’ve been working. Don’t you think I deserve an upgrade?"

Koros slapped the bot aside with a dry chuckle. "You’re ’clever’ enough already. No upgrade needed."

Assisbot No. 1 glared at him indignantly. "What do you mean no upgrade? My central processing unit could be replaced with Schedar—it’s way more reliable!"

Koros rolled his eyes. "Wow, a robot with big dreams. I’ve barely finished half of the prototype work, and you’re already making demands."

The bot wasn’t giving up. "So what if I’m a robot? Can’t robots have ambition too?"

Sean twitched at the corner of his mouth, suppressing a grin. As expected from something crafted by Koros—this bot was sharp enough to out-argue its own creator.

Even Lyra was surprised by the bot’s quick wit. She turned to Koros. "Upgrade it."

"Yes!" Assisbot No. 1 immediately hugged Lyra and acted coy. "I knew you were the best, Boss!"

Its mechanical eyes displayed a goofy expression, pointedly aimed at Koros, who looked like he wanted to dismantle the bot on the spot.

Lyra gently pushed the bot aside and addressed Koros again. "Pick up the pace. The Empire’s skirmishes are only the beginning. A full-scale war is coming."

At the mention of serious matters, both Lyra and Koros grew somber.

"Don’t worry, Boss. I’ll deliver a super-advanced weapon!" Koros rubbed his hands together eagerly and marched off, brimming with confidence.

...

Outside, the construction crew was busy working on another project, one visible to everyone on patrol.

Even members of the Everglow were curious. Aurelius, delivering a report, couldn’t help asking, "Rear Admiral Shedd, what exactly are we building?"

"We need a warship with unmatched speed," Lyra replied, setting her pen down and meeting his gaze. "You don’t think we can stop the Empire’s advance with just one orbital base, do you?"

"Why not request funds from the military authorities?" asked Aurelius.

"They’d need to actually have money to spare," Lyra said with a faint smile.

Aurelius frowned deeply, frustration etched on his face. "Those parasites at the top are drowning in wealth, but they still expect us to fund everything ourselves."

Lyra didn’t respond, but her silence was telling. Though she had to finance it out of pocket, the completed ship would be hers—unlike assets tied to Voidstar No. 1, which could be taken away at any time.

...

When word spread that Lyra had returned to Voidstar No. 1, the space pirates, who had been planning a comeback, fled in a panic.

During this time, Snakehead often complained to Lyra. "Most of those bastards have retreated to Voidstar No. 2. If it weren’t for Ian helping us behind the scenes, we’d all be doomed!"

Voidstar No. 2 had a thinner atmosphere, making survival nearly impossible without an Aegis Shield or radiation-proof suits.

The pirates had previously avoided it, but now it seemed they were settling for second best.

"Ugh, it feels like we won’t last here much longer," Snakehead muttered. The pirates had no sense of rules or fairness, and his growing business made him a tempting target for raids.

Throughout his complaints, Snakehead kept casting nervous glances at Lyra. Surely, someone as sharp as her understood what he was hinting at.

Lyra didn’t bother with pretense. "The base is still under construction. You’ll have to wait until it’s finished."

"Hurray!" Snakehead rubbed his hands together, visibly relieved. "I knew you’d look out for us."

Eager to expand his profits, Snakehead began planning his next moves.

But no one could have predicted how soon Snakehead and his people would be forced to leave Voidstar No. 2.

...

When Lyra’s base was halfway complete, sightings of Empire forces appeared near Voidstar No. 2.

The Alliance’s satellite network was the first to detect an Imperial fleet, prompting Frederick to deploy Legion Glory, stationed aboard the nearby Snowfall, to respond immediately.

As Alliance warships flew past Voidstar No. 2, chaos broke out among the space pirates below.

"Damn it! We already fled here, and they’re still coming after us? What’s the Alliance’s problem?" they cursed, panic spreading rapidly.

Many began rallying to resist, but Snakehead and his group, already tipped off, had no intention of staying. They packed their belongings and prepared to flee once more.

Before leaving, Snakehead followed Lyra’s instructions and released news of the Empire’s impending attack. The warning sent the remaining pirates scrambling to escape. None wanted to be caught in the crossfire of war.

Within two days, Voidstar No. 2 was nearly deserted, leaving behind only a handful of civilians with no means of leaving.

...

Once the situation stabilized, Lyra contacted Zinnia’s grandfather, the regiment leader of Legion Glory.

"The settlement at Voidstar No. 2 has been vacated. Sir, perhaps you could use it as a forward base," she suggested.

Everyone in the military’s upper ranks knew of Lyra’s ties to Voidstar No. 2, but few expected her to give it up so easily.

The old man studied her for a long moment before responding, "Ma’am, your selflessness is admirable."

"Not at all," Lyra replied modestly.

Behind him, Zinnia peeked out and waved enthusiastically at Lyra. Once the formal discussion ended, Zinnia squeezed past her grandfather.

"I want to talk to Lyra!"

"Lyra! Is running an outer space base fun?"

"It’s about the same as life aboard a warship," Lyra replied, resting her chin on her hand.

Zinnia chattered away excitedly while Lyra mostly listened, offering brief responses here and there.

Partway through, Rajan, now head of Legion Glory’s technical division, joined the call. He greeted Lyra warmly before leaning slightly toward Zinnia, the two looking like a couple posing for a picture.

"When the war is over, we’ll visit your base," Zinnia said, her enthusiasm as unrestrained as a child’s.

Rajan chuckled, ruffling her hair affectionately.

Lyra’s lips curled into a faint smile. "Alright."

...

The Empire was intent on conquering the Alliance, and reports of attacks along its borders began flooding in.

It became clear that despite its previous passivity, the Empire had secretly orchestrated a near-impenetrable encirclement of the Alliance.

Their Fleet Admiral personally led the offensive, squaring off against Frederick.

Abandoning traditional tactics, the Empire leaned on overwhelming firepower and superior weaponry. Distress calls came pouring in from all fronts.

Even the Legion of Everglow, out on patrol, encountered Imperial warships and immediately reported the sighting.

"Switch to wartime operations," Lyra commanded. She summoned her trusted subordinates to the technical department.

...

When Helion and the others arrived, they were met with an awe-inspiring sight: rows of towering, gleaming mecha.

Lyra was not known for generosity, but when it came to equipping her team, she spared no expense.

Even Morrison, stationed far away on Wyrmtrace, had received a custom-built unit that Shane couldn’t stop drooling over.

"Let’s start the calibration," Lyra said curtly. "One at a time."

Helion’s eyes gleamed with excitement. "These are for us?"

"Ha! Boss, you’re the best!" He stepped forward eagerly.

Mandy and Phelixes, having been informed earlier, already had mecha tailored to their specifications—one gold, the other black.

Each entered their respective units, beginning the psychokinetic synchronization process.

Moments later, they were fully linked with their mecha’s advanced AI cores.

These machines were Koros’s masterpieces, boasting unparalleled responsiveness and combat capabilities.

They could even operate entirely through psychokinesis, eliminating the need for traditional controls.

"Damn, this is amazing!" Helion exclaimed as he rotated his mecha’s mechanical arm.

"Seriously, who else has mecha as advanced as ours?"

"With these, I’m gonna blow those Empire scumbags to bits!"

The room buzzed with excitement.

After a brief adjustment period, the team, brimming with confidence, piloted their mecha onto the battlefield, ready to face the Empire’s forces head-on.