Limited Ambiguity Chapter 19

Chapter 19.1

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Vincent’s words were filled with sorrow. “Commander, I never expected you to fall like this!”

Then it was immediately followed with, “Can you introduce me? If you can, then I can too!”

Without hesitation, Lu Fenghan responded, “Buzz off.”

Vincent promptly buzzed off.

The personal terminal went dark.

Leaning against the slightly cold metal wall, Lu Fenghan remained still, fearful of waking Qi Yan. The constant noise of the fortress’ machinery helped to keep his thoughts clear.

From Weiss’ actions, it was likely that he was involved in leaking the transition coordinates. He should also be involved in Dison’s death.

However, Weiss alone would not be able to secure the position of acting commander of the Expeditionary Force. The list of transfers revealed only a small portion of his accomplices. The person behind him remained hidden, leaving no trace.

What did that person aim to achieve by sacrificing the Expeditionary Force’s troops and Lu Fenghan?

Lu Fenghan habitually reached for a cigarette, but his fingers froze in mid-air. He wasn’t sure if he had any cigarettes on him, but even if he did, he knew that Qi Yan would disapprove. This Little Delicate would surely wrinkle his nose and comment disdainfully, “Stuffy, stinky.”

Lu Fenghan glanced out the window and saw something moving slowly by. He took a closer look and realized it was a transport microstarship. It was flying low, like an inconspicuous bird. Judging by the distance, it was already within capture range of Fontaine-1.

Yet, Lu Fenghan’s mind raced ahead.

The transport microstarship, known as the “Mountain Eagle IV,” boasted exceptional speed, high stealth capability, and superior performance. Its most notable feature was its top-notch protective shielding. Although it could only accommodate a few people, once inside, it was incredibly difficult to be targeted and destroyed by enemy fire.

Was there an important figure coming to Fontaine-1?

With these thoughts, Lu Fenghan couldn’t help but mock himself. He was indeed a busy man. Right now, there was only one thing he truly needed to do—protect the person nestled against his thigh.

Qi Yan had slept for a solid four hours. In the space, the perception of time was weak, with no external references to rely on except for the time displayed on personal terminals.

“Have I slept this long?”

Lu Fenghan fetched a glass of water. Seeing that Qi Yan was still somewhat groggy, he removed the lid and brought it to his lips.

Qi Yan instinctively leaned closer and took a few sips.

After feeding him the water, Lu Fenghan set the glass aside. “You haven’t slept for long. Want to go out and stretch your legs? Staying hunched over for too long can be uncomfortable.”

As if reminded, Qi Yan moved his neck closer to Lu Fenghan’s hand. “Massage, please.”

However, Qi Yan soon felt calloused hands on his nape, causing a slight itch on his skin. He endured it silently, choosing not to voice his discomfort.

Lu Fenghan also noticed that Qi Yan flinched after just two light presses.

“Did I hurt you?” he asked, puzzled.

With his thin eyelids drooping, Qi Yan didn’t meet his gaze. “No, it’s just… itchy.”

Chuckling softly to himself, Lu Fenghan thought—Little Delicate, indeed.

Five minutes later, Qi Yan got up and opened the door, retracing their steps while asking Ye Pei where they were currently located.

Passing through a long, straight corridor, Lu Fenghan glanced out through the glass wall. One of the two moons, typically suspended in the Leto sky, now loomed close enough from Fontaine-1’s vantage point to reveal its pockmarked surface.

Years of cultivated intuition prompted Lu Fenghan to pause, casually inquiring to Qi Yan, “Are we now beside Moon Two?”

Having studied Fontaine-1’s data once, Qi Yan remembered vividly. “Both Moon One and Moon Two orbit the capital star. Periodically, Moon Two aligns between Fontaine-1 and Leto, forming a straight line.”

Lu Fenghan grasped the situation. “So, Moon Two is currently blocking the path between Fontaine-1 and Leto?”

“Yes,” Qi Yan replied, puzzled by Lu Fenghan’s sudden interest. On his personal terminal, he received Ye Pei’s message confirming their location.

As Qi Yan prepared to move forward with a “We’ll be there soon,” he suddenly sensed something amiss. Staring at a particular area, he pointed out to Lu Fenghan, “Over there, when I glanced earlier, there were only five bright spots, but now there are seven.”

Lu Fenghan’s gaze sharpened as he asked, “Are you sure?”

In that moment, Qi Yan found himself doubting, uncertain whether his memory of the five bright spots was real or a fabrication of his mind.

Lu Fenghan immediately sensed his hesitation. “You did glance in that direction just now,” he said, discerning Qi Yan’s inner turmoil.

Perhaps reassured by Lu Fenghan’s statement, Qi Yan ceased questioning his judgment. “I’m certain. There are two more bright spots now.”

With the image of the “Mountain Eagle IV” transport microstarship fresh in his mind and considering Fontaine-1’s current position, Lu Fenghan harbored a foreboding suspicion. Instinctively, he sought to calm Qi Yan. “There may be trouble ahead. Stick close, you’ll be safe with me.”

Just as Qi Yan was about to nod in agreement, the starship beneath their feet suddenly jolted, as if colliding with a reef. He struggled to maintain his balance.

In the next moment, yellow lights flashed overhead, and an electronic voice began its repetitive warning: “Alert—Alert—Enemy attack detected! Activate Level Two combat readiness…”

Almost everyone was thrown into confusion

Since its inception half a century ago, Fontaine-1 had only experienced one alarm, triggered by a kitchen mishap that resulted in an entire stove exploding due to improper operation.

As Lin Jia had once remarked, Fontaine-1 primarily served as a research monitoring platform and a space laboratory.

As for the cannons? They could rust away unnoticed for all anyone cared.

Thus, over the next minute, three different individuals issued three distinct commands over the fortress’ communication channels and broadcasts: one requested a swift investigation of the fortress’ interior; another instructed everyone to remain in place and avoid panic; and the last one demanded that all non-combat personnel find nearby cover, while combat personnel report to their stations.

Unfortunately, before anyone could act, the second tremor began.

Simultaneously, the flashing lights overhead shifted to a piercing red. The combat readiness alert escalated to Level One.

This was a judgment made by the fortress’ defense systems.

Shortly thereafter, the individual who had issued the third command shouted over the fortress’ channels and broadcasts, “Confirmed enemy attack! It’s space pirates!”

Space pirates, notorious for their raids on transport starships within the Alliance, roamed freely. Over two decades ago, Admiral Lu Jun led a fleet in guerrilla warfare, scattering the space pirates and driving them to the fringes of the Alliance, where they lurked, rarely daring to venture into Alliance territory.

Even Lu Fenghan found the name “space pirates” unfamiliar, let alone those who had lived within Leto for years.

Therefore, the mention of “space pirates” not only failed to grab everyone’s attention but also left many more bewildered.

Something was amiss.

At that moment, Lu Fenghan felt a gentle tug on his sleeve.

He turned to Qi Yan. “What’s wrong? Are you scared?”

He had long grown accustomed to this life of constant vigilance, habitually focusing on analyzing the situation, momentarily forgetting to comfort Qi Yan.

Qi Yan shook his head, indicating he wasn’t scared. “Near Fontaine-1, there’s a deactivated military long-distance jump point. Initially, the Alliance chose this location for Fontaine-1 partly out of safety considerations.”

Lu Fenghan’s pupils constricted. “Where does this jump point connect to?”

Qi Yan: “It connects to the border between Leto and the Southern Cross Region.”

Meanwhile, in the control room of Fontaine-1, a heated argument was unfolding.

“Huo Yan, it’s premature to declare an enemy attack without confirmation, let alone claiming it’s space pirates! What nonsense are you spouting? Space pirates have been extinct for twenty years! More importantly, where are we? We’re in the Central Region, within Leto’s jurisdiction! How do you explain space pirates getting here?”

Huo Yan, as he was addressed, kept his expression tense. “Just because they haven’t appeared in twenty years doesn’t mean space pirates don’t exist! Just because we don’t know how they got here doesn’t mean they can’t! They’re already firing a second volley at us from the other side. You want to confirm and report before acting? Do you think the enemy will announce themselves with a banner saying ‘We’re space pirates’?”

Seeing the other person about to retort, Huo Yan slammed his hand on the table. “You handle administration, and I handle defense. If you have objections, wait until there are orders from Leto before making a fuss!”

With that, he pressed a button, broadcasting the enemy attack situation throughout the fortress. He ordered everyone to take cover on the spot, and the combat personnel to wait for orders at their posts. Then, he turned and left, striding towards the defense command room.

Meanwhile, Lu Fenghan racked his brain, finally recalling his former fighter fleet captain, Huo Yan, who had been transferred from the Expeditionary Force back to Leto and stationed at—Fontaine-1.

After selecting an encrypted channel and dialing Huo Yan’s personal terminal number, Lu Fenghan turned to Qi Yan.

The alarm’s red glow cast upon his face, resembling sunset on a snowy plain, even adding a touch of glamour to Qi Yan’s otherwise cool features.

Before Lu Fenghan could speak, Qi Yan reinserted the soundproof earplugs given by Lu Fenghan earlier.

Once they were in place, he gestured to his ears. “I can’t hear.”

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