Shadows of the Deep Space Chapter 1755 - 550: New List (Part 4)

"Yes!"

The attending officers responded with grave determination.

At this juncture, Dirken, clad in a junior general's uniform, approached alongside two operatives from the Night Owl Department and a contingent of soldiers. He addressed the woman before him, saying, "Colonel Malan, someone requires your presence. Kindly accompany them briefly. I shall assume temporary command of your troops."

"Very well," Colonel Malan replied, a flicker of surprise crossing her features.

Major General Dirken gestured, and his adjutant promptly escorted the training officers away. Malan watched her subordinates being led off, on the verge of speaking.

However, one of the Night Owl operatives swiftly raised the beam gun in his hand, leveling it at Malan's head. Before Malan could utter a word, the operative fired.

Whizz!

Colonel Malan was struck down, collapsing to the ground. Major General Dirken himself appeared stunned by the swift execution, glancing at the two Night Owl members with astonishment.

"You!"

"Dispose of the body," the two Night Owl operatives instructed curtly, offering no explanation as they turned and departed.

....

Star Destroyer - Deep Blue.

A Night Owl operative, accompanied by soldiers, entered an office forcefully. Several officers present rose uneasily.

The Night Owl operative, followed by the soldiers, proceeded to a woman in a major's uniform with short, flaxen hair. Consulting a list, he inquired coldly, "Major Selene?"

"That’s correct, I am Major Selene!" Selene responded, striving to maintain her composure.

The Night Owl operative before her raised his weapon, aiming it at Selene. "What do you intend to do? My aunt is the Deputy City Lord of Rain City, Otan."

"We report directly to President Dragon White!"

Without hesitation, the Night Owl operative pulled the trigger.

Whizz!

Major Selene crumpled to the floor.

...

The void surrounding the Nether Moon Defense Line.

A small vessel maneuvered into the fleet of the Federation 14th Corps' Dark Corps.

The ship drew near the Star Destroyer - Shadow. Measuring 260 kilometers in length, it possessed a sharp, cone-shaped prow, was encased in ink-black armor adorned with intricate patterns, and featured numerous launch bays and interception cannons along its flanks.

Click!

The two vessels successfully docked.

At this moment, Fidian, with two subordinates and a retinue of soldiers, boarded the Star Destroyer - Dark and proceeded through its narrow corridors. Soldiers in the passageways eyed Fidian and his group with palpable fear, seemingly worried they might attract the attention of the Night Owl unit.

Fidian swiftly guided his entourage to the entrance of a high-ranking officer's office. Several guards stood at attention by the door. They moved to intercept Fidian, but were brushed aside by his subordinates. Fidian then unceremoniously opened the office door, pushing his way inside with his companions.

Within the office, Admiral Xinlad occupied his desk. "Sir, the armaments and ammunition are prepared..." Naz, a major general, was in the midst of a briefing on defense matters with Xinlad when the uninvited intrusion occurred, causing him to halt his report immediately.

Xinlad regarded Fidian and his group. Though his expression remained outwardly calm, his tension spiked instantly as he inquired composedly, "Fidian, what is the meaning of this?"

Fidian produced a list and addressed Admiral Xinlad directly. "Xinlad, your subordinate, Major General Nazi, is on this list. We are here to take him into custody."

"What did you say?" Xinlad reacted, visibly taken aback by Fidian's declaration.

Major General Nazi's countenance immediately contorted in terror as he pleaded with Xinlad, "Sir, save me!"

"Fidian, you must be mistaken," Xinlad stated.

"Hmph, we Night Owls do not err. You are likely unaware that Major General Nazi maintains a close association with Edrig, the Vice Patriarch of the Heavenly Revelation Divine Country. He orchestrated the wormhole space-time curvature ring explosion incident," Fidian stated icily.

"You treacherous cur, how dare you betray me!" Xinlad roared, instantly infuriated by Fidian's revelation. He drew a beam gun and aimed it at Major General Nazi. He had never anticipated his deputy would conspire with the Heavenly Revelation Divine Country. While they had previously collaborated with the Mechanical Clan, it was always a strategic alliance for mutual benefit, aimed at acquiring Divine Artifacts and ascending to supreme power. They had never intended to turn on each other until the crucial moment, making collusion with the Heavenly Revelation Divine Country unthinkable.

Seeing Xinlad preparing to execute him, Nazi spoke urgently to Fidian, "Lord Fidian, I possess..."

Whizz!

Xinlad fired without further hesitation, killing Major General Nazi directly before Fidian.

"Xinlad, you simply eliminated him like that?" Fidian's brow furrowed slightly as he spoke with a cold tone. The subordinates accompanying Fidian displayed grim expressions, casting unfriendly glances at Xinlad.

"I apologize, my anger got the better of me, causing me to lose control momentarily and cleanse the premises. However, harboring a traitor like that is something I, Xinlad, will never do. If any actions were deemed improper, I am prepared to face the consequences."

Xinlad declared resolutely.

Despite being fully aware that dispatching Nazi in Fidian's presence would undoubtedly stir significant trouble.

Yet, Xinlad deemed Nazi's demise an absolute necessity; this individual had been his hidden agent, executing numerous nefarious deeds on his behalf.

Those transgressions were sufficient grounds for his execution multiple times over.

"No matter, let us depart!"

Fidian responded curtly, turning to leave with his retinue.

Once they had exited the office, one of Fidian's subordinates could not contain his observation.

"Lord Fidian, Admiral Xinlad clearly eliminated him to ensure his silence."

"I am aware of that."

"Then why did we not apprehend him?"

"Admiral Xinlad is affiliated with Lord Long Ying's faction, making him someone we cannot simply move against. Moreover, while we possess ample evidence of his transgressions, including embezzlement and dereliction of duty, there is no proof of his collusion with the Heavenly Revelation Divine Country or the Dark Star Empire. Such evidence would be inconsequential to Xinlad! Furthermore, we are on the brink of war with the Heavenly Revelation Divine Country and Chilami; acting against him now would only create divisions within the troops."