Interstellar Survival: Invasion

dition, which was going to Jupiter II.
Was that enough to spread my fame all the way to Orion? ’ I wondered inwardly, even feeling somewhat smug.

”I am Li Canyue.
How do you know my name? ” I asked.

The leader sneered and said, ”Your wanted poster has been spread all over the Milky Way Galaxy.
All of you are wanted criminals of the Interstellar League.
It was said that you, Li Canyue, are the leader. ”

We all sank into silence.
We had not expected the league to be so heartless.
Before even giving us a proper trial, they had issued arrest warrants for all of us.
Such were the consequences of disobeying orders.
The news might be shocking, but the tension in the ship actually eased up.
Upon learning of our status as wanted criminals of the Interstellar League, the leader lowered his gun.

”What are you here for? ” he asked.

”We ’re being hunted by the league.
We wish to seek shelter here, ” Zhang Xingxing ’s nimble mind came up with a reasonable reply.

”That is an acceptable reason.
Blue is also a Gliesen-conquered colony.
The Bluelings will be granted entry.
As for this Gliesen, I need to check with the captain, ” said the leader.
He then gestured at Lando before leaving, probably to ask for instructions from their superior.

”Why do you have so many diamonds with you? ” asked Lando.

”When traveling, don ’t you need currency just in case? You will eventually need to buy something, right? ” said Zhang Bao ’er.

”These diamonds are too big.
Can we take some back for inspections? To check if there are prohibited items hidden within them, you know? ” asked Lando.

I nearly burst out in laughter.
That was basically blackmail, but he actually made it so righteous-sounding.
Inspection? What inspection? I gave Zhang Bao ’er a meaningful look.
He understood immediately and brought Old Du to the cargo bay at the third level.
Before long, the two returned with a massive diamond.

The leader just happened to return at the same time the diamond arrived.
He said, ”Since you are wanted criminals, the enemy of our enemy is our friend.
The empire has agreed to grant you entry. ”

We all heaved a breath of relief.
The tension in the ship eased up even more.

”By the way, who is the escaped criminal you mentioned earlier? ” I asked, taking the chance of the eased tension to learn more.

”It ’s an escaped theologian from the Imperial Academy of Sciences.
His name is Fode, and he had gotten hold of the empire ’s secrets.
Those who discover him are to report to the imperial guards immediately.
Those found aiding or hiding him will be subjected to the harshest punishment, ” said Lando.

Two of the Darkling soldiers laid down their guns and bowed down to lift the massive diamond.
It was quite a peculiar posture to behold.

”The Interstellar League has been hunting for you guys for a very long time.
Your pictures have been spread all over the Milky Way Galaxy, ” said Lando.

”How long has it been? ” I asked.

”About 30 Betelgeuse days, ” said Lando.

”Thirty Betelgeuse days? Your fixed star has such a fast rotation speed? ” I asked.

”There are 48 hours in a Betelgeuse day, ” said Lando.

”That isn ’t right.
We just left the fleet a few days ago, ” said Zhang Xingxing.

”Yeah.
According to you, shouldn ’t it be over two months since our departure? ” Zhang Bao ’er exclaimed in alarm.

”Did the white dwarf ’s gravitational force slow down the flow of time for us? ” Old Du speculated.

”Are you going to Planet Lidu? ” Lando asked.

”Yes, we intend to go there.
That ’s the planet ahead of us, right? We don ’t know its name, ” I replied.

”This is Planet Lidu.
It is inhabited by the various thugs, exiles, and opportunists of the races from outside Orion.
It is a dangerous planet.
Originally, these people wanted to head to our capital planet, Eternal, but the emperor chased all of them out, ” said Lando.

’Planet Eternal.
Perhaps that ’s the homeland of the Brightlings, ’ I thought inwardly.

”The emperor had people construct this planet, a planet built with iron and flesh.
These scoundrels thus all settled here.
In a way, they indirectly gained a place to call home, ” said Lando.

”Artificial planet? Is something like that possible? This is truly a level of technology beyond that of the league, ” said Old Du.

”Are there a lot of races here? Are there any Bluelings? ” asked Zhang Xingxing.

”Yes, there are many exiles here.
Therefore, I believe you must also be heading there.
With your wanted level, you will all probably be celebrities there.
But I don ’t have concrete details about the people on the planet.
This planet was constructed over 200 years ago.
There are too many races living there.
It is impossible to keep a proper record of them, ” said Lando.

Zhang Xingxing looked at everyone before saying, ”Let ’s go and take shelter at Lidu for now.
We ’ll plan our next step there. ”

Everyone agreed.

At this time, the leader of the Darklings walked back to us again.
He handed a pass to Zhang Xingxing and said, ”With this, you will be able to gain entry into Lidu.
You won ’t be able to enter otherwise.
Remember, do not mention your diamonds to anyone. ”

’Looks like there really is a reason for Nommo to prepare so many diamonds for us, ’ I thought.

After finishing his words, the leader led his people and left with the massive diamond.
I saw the fighter withdraw rapidly.
The black flagship slowly turned transparent.
Before long, the entire fleet had vanished from view.
It seemed like the invisibility I had been coveting badly since my Jupiter II expedition was already a mature technology here at Orion.