Chapter 29: The Refugees

The officers gazed at the Governor, who had shifted in an instant from a trembling capitulationist to a passionate, generous warmonger, and could not help but show expressions of admiration.

"It is rare for you to be so righteous, Governor. It is truly moving." Eleanor shook the Governor’s chubby hand with feigned emotion and added, "However, as my forces are insufficient, could you perhaps also place the Governor’s Mansion Guard under my unified command?"

You’re even digging into my last bit of security? The Governor nodded, his heart aching.

"Furthermore, if it’s not too much trouble, please hand over the City Shield Command, the drone positions, and the planetary cannons as well."

"This, this—the rest is easy to discuss, but the planetary cannons..."

"Lieutenant Cruz, speak! Why are you here? Are you deserting, or are you stealing public property?"

"I’ve thought it over! The city’s largest fortress cannons are matters of national importance; by law, they should be managed by the Governor’s Mansion and the Civic Council. But these are extraordinary times. I will write an order requiring the central control room to obey your commands."

"Also, 3,000 men are spread too thin. We can’t even man the outer guard towers. I need you to authorize the recruitment of at least 10,000 temporary militiamen in the name of the Governor’s Mansion, place them under the command of the Security Force Headquarters, and open the warehouses to arm them. Oh, and militia recruitment requires a signing bonus. As a poor soldier, I simply don’t have that kind of wealth."

The implication was that the Governor’s Mansion would have to subsidize it. If the official budget couldn't cover it, the Governor would have to pay out of pocket. At this, Governor Shansi flew into a rage: "You, you are pushing your luck!"

"Cruz, you national parasite! A mere lieutenant, acting so rampantly! Tell me, are you colluding with someone behind the scenes?"

"Fine, fine, I’ll give it all to you! I’ll give it all!"

"Then I thank you for your strong support, Governor! On behalf of the 700,000 citizens and the 3,000 troops, I thank you!" Eleanor smiled—a smile that was quite radiant yet filled with murderous intent—and then, drawing her pistol, she decisively put a bullet through Lieutenant Cruz's forehead. His wailing ceased instantly.

The Governor looked at the wide-eyed, dead Cruz, then at Eleanor, and gritted his teeth: "You... you are quite something..." He didn't even know if his words held more relief or resentment. He left behind a look of indignation that carried no weight, then departed with a sorrowful air.

The officers were deathly silent, feeling a chill in their hearts as they watched Cruz’s corpse being dragged away. But they knew that if they didn't carry out this woman's orders properly, they might be next. On second thought, when this madwoman took out Cruz, she used a pistol rather than the Vulcan cannon on a mech, which was already a gesture of mercy. Perhaps, just perhaps, she was still someone they could communicate with?

And so, the string of tension tightened by fear snapped, replaced by a greater fear and a touch of Stockholm Syndrome, followed by a form of reckless, self-destructive fanaticism.

"The million Sand People outside are nothing but a million pigs! Please rest assured, Commander! We will definitely bring back the heads of those barbarian chieftains to string into a necklace for you!" Major Sanga promised, thumping his chest.

"Yes, Commander, our troops are strong and ready to fight to the death!"

"Let’s attack, Commander!"

"Yes, let’s attack!"

"Very well, gentlemen, but now is not the time to attack! To achieve total victory, we must be patient and wait for the right moment. First, continue monitoring the enemy; second, accelerate the militia recruitment. Everything is in your hands."

The officers marched off with vigor. Seeing them head away, Eleanor suddenly chuckled: "Uncle Louis, I bet the courage of these people won't last more than three days."

"That is already quite long. As the master used to say, an hour is enough to decide the outcome of a battle."

"True, so we can only hope the promised reinforcements arrive."

Major Dorset rolled his eyes, but Eleanor caught it immediately. She retorted sharply, "I wasn't talking about Yuli and the stragglers returning from the outposts; I meant the Outer Ring..."

"I didn't say anything, Miss."

Eleanor clicked her tongue and began irritably playing with her small braid.

"Besides, compared to the security guards at the outer outposts, the refugees heading here are even more worrisome!"

Eleanor Bonaparte was silent for a long moment, patted her head, and let out a sigh of frustration for the first time.

Yes, there were about 700,000 citizens of the Blue Star Community on New Yumen, with over 600,000 living in Tulong. The rest were concentrated in fortified small towns, plantations, and mining areas, linked by a network of bunker-like outposts that served as the foundation of the Community's rule on this planet—does that sound familiar?

These fortified outposts had heavy weapons, mercenaries, and armed mobs, so they didn't fear attacks from ordinary Sand People. But their scale was limited. Once the Sand People gathered in a large army and acquired weapons (from who knows where), these outposts became extremely dangerous. Some stubborn ones refused to abandon the property they had spent a lifetime building and chose to hold their ground; others instinctively fled with their families toward what they deemed the safest place: Tulong.

But the problem was that the Sand People’s army had gathered too quickly—or rather, the intelligence department of the security forces had reacted too slowly. Now, no one knew how many refugees were trapped outside the city, their fates hanging in the balance.

Currently, a group of over three hundred refugees, after nearly a week of trekking, saw the port of Tulong drawing near, and their spirits had lifted significantly.

Plantation owner Wang Yougui poked his head out of the driver's cab of his carriage: "Xiao Kai, are our wagons and livestock holding up?"

"My name is Kelvin... never mind, boss, don't worry. We're almost in Tulong." The responder was a cowboy in his thirties, carrying a long rifle on his back and a pistol at his waist. He was riding a genetically modified sand-horn horse, keeping pace with the caravan without showing any fatigue.

On New Yumen, plantations could easily span thousands of acres. In addition to spice farms, there were vast tracts of man-made grasslands for grazing, which naturally required cowboys. These men, besides helping the masters with herding and farming, also moonlighted as bodyguards. On average, each of them had more than one (Sand Person's) life on their hands.

When they first fled the plantation, they had been nervous, but as neighbors and townspeople joined them, forming a larger group, everyone had gradually relaxed.

Now, with twenty wagons of various sizes, over fifty pack animals, and more than two hundred guns, they didn't think typical Sand People raiding parties would pose a threat.

However, Wang Yougui had the life experience of an elder. "The closer we get to the destination, the more careful we must be. I’ve felt uneasy lately. All we have left is the spice in the wagons; we must sell it to recoup some of our investment."

"Don't worry, Councilman Jiang said he would persuade the merchants to buy our goods at a discount. You won't suffer too much of a loss. Once the Sand People retreat, we can go home and start over..." And then my job and wages will be secure.

"Xiao Dong? I watched that kid grow up; do you think I don't know his nature? He’s been full of lies since he was small, and the older he gets, the more insufferable he becomes! After reading a few books, he hasn't been right in the head. I don't trust him at all..."

Cowboy Kelvin listened distractedly, his eyes occasionally darting to a certain wagon behind them.

Wang Yougui added irritably, "That young widow is still dragging that little brat with her!"

"I, I know..." Anyway, I’m just a stray dog whose wife and children died of illness; no one should be picky.

"She’s a college student; she’d never look twice at a killer like you."

"That, that doesn't matter. Last time I brought her food, she smiled at me and even gave me a book to read." The cowboy admitted he couldn't understand literary novels, but he felt this was surely the sprout of true love. After his wife and son died of illness and he lost his job, he had been forced to come to the colony to be a cowboy. Five or six years had passed, and it was finally time to start a new life.

"Forget it, none of them can be trusted. I might as well go talk to that young lady from the Alliance." The old farm owner shook his head irritably, but the thought of having to grovel to a girl who could be his granddaughter made him lose face. He rolled his eyes and leaned back in his chair.

His gaze naturally drifted upward, and he suddenly froze. Behind the ridge in front of them, a group of Sand People riding velociraptors popped their heads up and let out excited screams.

Cowboy Kelvin naturally noticed the anomaly, turned his horse around, and galloped while shouting: "Enemies! Old people, women, and children, stay in the wagons! Men, grab your guns—hurry, grab your guns and prepare for battle! Miss Marr, don't leave the vehicle, and keep a close eye on little Lina!"

On the bus, a delicate, refined woman met the eyes of the cowboy passing by. In that fleeting instant, a thousand words were exchanged. She hugged her little daughter tightly and prayed silently to the Spirits of the Universe.

Cowboy Kelvin continued to gallop toward the largest RV in the center of the caravan: "Mr. Stein! Mr. Stein! Enemy attack!"

"I see it." Mercenary Ash Stein stood up calmly on the roof of the vehicle and coolly inserted a magazine into his large-caliber pistol.

He was a man of about twenty-five, with a cold expression, dark skin, and a physique as robust and agile as a black panther. He had bronze-colored short hair and a pair of amber eyes. To an alien, he was clearly human, but Earthlings would know at a glance he was not from Earth.

He was a mercenary and adventurer from the Free Galaxy Alliance, currently working as Councilman Jiang Yudong's bodyguard.

His employer, meanwhile, was peeking out from the vehicle in a state of terror, asking in a low voice: "Uh, Ash, enemies are coming, are we..."

"Don't worry, Councilman. If it’s just those Sand People riding giant lizards with their crude guns and bows, I could protect your safety even if ten thousand more came." Ash Stein’s lips curled into a careless yet wickedly charming smile.

"Th-that's good then..." The Councilman felt reassured. Although he didn't care for the man's greasy and frivolous attitude, he trusted his professional capabilities.

"Of course, if the Sand People have tanks, then I’m out of luck, hahahahaha... Son of a bitch, they actually have tanks!"

Son of a bitch, your grandmother! Why are you copying my catchphrase?

Councilman Jiang Yudong was instantly gripped by grief and indignation.