Him and their stars.

Chapter 2085 Tonight we will attack Chenxiao Fortress
Ash Stern frowned deeply, seemingly feeling that the question was premature or even unnecessary. But in reality, a certain primal instinct told him that this might be the most serious and sensitive question he would ever face in his life.

He looked around somewhat awkwardly, then suddenly remembered something and looked at Krell, who had a similarly serious expression, with a playful look, and said with a smile, "Anyway, we don't need to give it to Neffi. You can't get it, and there's no need for you to."

"It's them, it's them!" Krell retorted loudly, "I'm a member of the Red Star now too!"

“Alright, it really is them.” Ash readily agreed. “Anyway, Neffi does exist. But when exactly did they come into existence?”

"Of course it has been there for a long time. History remembers that moment."

"Alright, it doesn't matter anymore. Anyway, for the Alliance, whether it exists or not is unimportant; what's important is that the Empire doesn't exist."

"The empire still exists. This is actually a strategic consideration; only the existence of a third party can create a strategic balance. It's a triangle."

"So who exactly is the third party?"

"Haha, it all depends on our efforts. Well, we should always encourage each other."

They were certainly trying to ease the tense atmosphere in their own way, but they soon realized that no matter how they discussed it, they would eventually have to return to the sensitive issues.

The two exchanged an unpleasant look, and then tacitly fell silent.

As for the others at the scene, they all wished they could shove their faces into the bubbling, boiling pot in front of them.

As for Rozes, he leaned forward, his sharp eyes still fixed on the Lumina people covered in armor.

"There shouldn't be any hierarchical relationship between Red Star and the Pioneer Party, right? From now on, will everyone's actions here be under the command of the Pioneer Central Committee and the Commander of New Shenzhou?"

“Of course not. We are a group of exiles who have made so many sacrifices to leave our country, simply wanting to establish a new home in this chaotic universe, completely different from all existing political models. We don’t have any superiors to whom we must absolutely obey.” Babaru’s attitude was quite sincere, but the dark mask on his face was as solid as a supernova material.

“It’s easier to draw on a blank canvas. If we travel light and abandon all historical baggage, we might just be able to truly create history. I agree with Brother Babaru,” Claire Belmont said very seriously and objectively.

Rozes glanced at Krell, his expression somewhat grave.

He was naturally grateful to and trusted his old comrade-in-arms who had fled with him on the Independent, and he also admired his abilities. But at this moment, he had a new understanding of his integrity.

“It’s Secretary General Babaru,” Ash corrected.

Indeed, the "Big Brother" image is very gangster-like. The problem is, most of the Red Star's officers still call Babalu that, and they also call Ash "Big Brother." From this perspective, it will take some time for the Red Star organization to become fully legitimate.

"However, Red Star only has a population of over 300,000, controlling only this border system near the galactic center, seven and a half abandoned space stations, and dozens of armed merchant ships. Even by the standards of the Femo gang, it's not considered powerful. Without external support, how can it establish itself?"

"Yes, that is indeed a problem," Krell commented, maintaining his objective and rigorous attitude. He stated that he is a good person, doesn't take sides, and only stands for what is right.

"Putting everything else aside, without the donkey-held flag at the communication station, you wouldn't even be able to obtain those important production equipment. But even that communication station is part of the Pioneer Party's jurisdiction."

“I don’t deny that,” Babaru said.

"So, as a pioneering party member, you once prided yourself on being the commander's most steadfast follower. Is this a betrayal?" He finally uttered that heavy word, his eyes unwavering.

This word made everyone a little uneasy.

If everyone hadn't spent some time together and developed a deep camaraderie, some of them might have already started fighting each other.

However, Babaru did not show the slightest anger at this heavy word that almost represented hostility.

“Colonel Rozes.” His voice remained calm, but when it came from beneath his visor, it carried the deep hum characteristic of the Luminars: “Do you believe that the ultimate purpose of the ‘Captain’s’ teachings is to make us his eternal followers? Loyal, unwavering, and unthinking followers?”

"You really dare to say that!" Rosetz chuckled, "Are you considering our classical traditions?"

"He pointed the way, but he never said that every step of this path was his to decide. He is waging a great struggle in the heart of the Empire that we cannot even imagine, his battlefield is among the stars. And our battlefield is here, in the mines of Femor, on the space station, and on the shattered planets. Every day we come into contact with the most real laborers and refugees, from different races, yet all sharing the same plight. How can we, tens of thousands of light-years away, maintain absolute alignment with the Pioneer Party headquarters?"

He extended his thick finger and pointed to the cauldron that was still bubbling slightly.

"Flames don't just burn in one way. You can see that."

Krell nodded repeatedly, wearing a flawless business smile, and aptly entered the conversation: "Yes, yes, just like this six-phase salt. It doesn't change the original flavor of each ingredient, but it allows them to coexist harmoniously, giving birth to a completely new and greater flavor. Isn't that progress?"

“This isn’t six-phase salt. Hahaha, this kind of seasoning can only remove fishy smells and enhance flavor, it’s quite harmonious.” Babalu laughed: “But, a seasoning is just a seasoning after all. Tribes can be harmonized, but how can the fundamental things be harmonized?”

"Hey, hey, hey, I'm trying to balance yin and yang here!" Krell looked helplessly at his new comrade-in-arms, speechless at the guy's "stubbornness," yet full of admiration.

"Colonel, if you consider this a betrayal as well, please contact the Captain. Whatever his decision, I will accept it."

Chester Rozes sized up the Lumina man. He wasn't a powerful psionicist, nor was he a renowned scholar—although he attended the Alliance University, he was a year short of graduating—five years ago, he was just an ordinary furnace worker in a steel mill.

However, such people possess power.

He possessed power on par with the most powerful people he had ever met—immense power.

“You know I can’t get in touch with him.” Rosesh shook his head, a hint of admiration in his smile. The tense atmosphere from before had vanished from his face, as if it were an illusion.

"I really wish I had the chance to introduce you to that guy, Mihir Kent. He has the same doubts as you, but he doesn't have your courage. At least, he's unlikely to take direct action like you. He's ranked above me in the Lionheart Society and is already an important member of the system. Of course, he's currently in the boss's expeditionary fleet, and all his energy and pride are poured into this great expedition, so he probably doesn't have the energy to think about these issues."

Babaru smiled and said, "Then I look forward to meeting him in the future."

Rose added, "However, the most important problem is that we are not pure enough. Hahaha, I didn't realize this before I met you."

"Pure and impure are actually fluid and constantly changing."

"Colonel Rozes, we have always shared a common goal: to crush the tyranny and shackles of the Galactic Empire and liberate all the enslaved laborers of the entire universe."

“And the Alliance,” Ash added, deeply moved.

Krell Belmont instinctively wanted to retort with his signature witty retort. However, the thousand words in his chest ultimately turned into praise: "Yes, there is indeed a league."

“If there is any one unshakable truth in this ‘Origin,’ perhaps it is only this,” Babaru said.

“Indeed,” Rozes surprisingly agreed. “Our future goal is a grand, long-term objective, but that doesn’t mean there’s only one path to it. Disagreements, contradictions, and conflicts will inevitably arise in the future, but not now, and certainly not insurmountable.” The Lumina’s voice remained calm and gentle, yet the firmness in his tone was composed and resolute: “As for us, ‘Red Star’ has always been a group that does not rule out overthrowing all tyranny and injustice by force. If our goals align, we will be an unwavering alliance.”

"An unbreakable alliance?" Rose said, hands clasped behind his back.

Babalu smiled without saying a word, a sigh on his face.

The canteen was silent, save for the faint hum of the heater at the bottom of the pot. Wisps of steam rose, blurring Rozes's stern face and the sharp lines of Babaru's shell.

Just as Krell was about to say something, Ash suddenly spoke up: "Are you going to eat or not?"

“Of course we have to eat,” said Rose.

"So, should we fight this war or not?" Ash asked again.

“Of course we have to fight,” Rose and Barbalu said in unison.

The two exchanged a glance and were astonished to find that their previous grudges had vanished once again. If they could even be called grudges.

The Lumina man added, "But since things have come to this, we should eat first!"

Yu Lian's former adjutant once again frankly expressed his agreement: "Yes, there's not much canned meat left on the ship, how can we waste it?"

The canned meat in the Legion's pot was naturally provided by the Independence, but the reserves weren't very large. Once this batch of canned meat was finished, everyone's main source of protein would have to be synthesized in the factory.

The engineers of the Independence and the wild inventors of the former exiled legion worked together with one heart and one mind, and finally managed to repair and clean up the food synthesis factory inside the fortress left by the Ero people. They installed the spare batteries taken from the Independence and replaced the important parts sent from the transportation station, and finally got it moving again, albeit with some bumps and bruises.

This large-scale protein synthesis machine has been operating smoothly for a week now. If it passes the tests, it could indeed solve the protein source problem for the entire army.

The taste is, of course, indescribable; otherwise, it wouldn't be called corpse starch and cockroach essence. But after all, it is protein.

Although it is protein, the taste is, to put it mildly, indescribable.

So everyone's attention was once again focused on the steaming pot.

This will be the last big meal of the lives of half the people present.

……

"You know what, you guys really have to admit, although I had some unpleasant associations with this Legion Pot, once you accept the premise, the taste is actually quite enjoyable." Yu Lian used long iron chopsticks to pick up a dumpling from the soup pot. It was food made of algae and synthetic protein blocks, and even after absorbing enough soup, the texture and taste were really not pleasant.

However, when Yu Lian swallowed the dumpling in one gulp, she felt a warm sensation spreading from her throat throughout her body.

Whether it was a misperception or not, Yu Lian definitely felt that his whole body was full of power.

“From now on, this should become a must-try specialty in the Red Star and the Femo Nebula.” Yu Lian said to everyone, “Since this is the last meal before the expedition, I’m inviting everyone to eat this Legion Hot Pot. The future of the expedition, our future, can be discussed while we eat.”

Feifei laughed and said, "It tastes like a hot pot that's been cooked for several meals. All the spices have been used up and are now just a little bit of saltiness that's barely noticeable. How can it be delicious?"

"Well, at least it's all-encompassing. I think even if you boiled some tires and cables in this pot, it would probably taste delicious."

"Is this... really that scary?" Gongsun Qing's chopsticks fell into the pot with a clatter, but she quickly scooped them out with her hands. Her movements were so fast that the scalding hot soup couldn't even burn her.

Of course, given the physical strength of a psychic, even if they put their hand in a boiling pot of soup for a few minutes, it wouldn't hurt or itch at all.

"Is it really that amazing?" she said, touching the chopsticks.

"The universe has always been so amazing, and the wisdom of laborers is also boundless," Yu Lian said with a smile.

"So, does the Independence ship on Femor's side have any plans?" Wayne asked, holding his soup bowl. It was quite impressive that this guy had finished his entire portion of food.

“You’re such a boring person! Comrade, it’s not that the Independence has any plans, but that the warriors who invented this pot are planning to do something for this universe.” Yu Lian said earnestly, “In the long run, what we are going to do now is not much different from this pot. Once you all understand this point, you will understand the truth.”

Everyone looked at each other, speechless. Most people thought the commander was unfathomable, but those who knew him well felt that he was clearly just subconsciously deceiving people again.

In short, although the words sound mysterious, the core secret of this pot lies in a processed substance called "six-phase salt." This salt, which usually appears as pale purple crystals, looks like some priceless zero-element substance, but it is actually a byproduct of space mining and orbital metallurgy.

Trace amounts of rare earth elements compressed in high-temperature and zero-gravity environments are then fused with chlorine, sodium, thiols, and ammonia in a small furnace to create this versatile condiment.

Putting them in a soup pot can slightly and temporarily alter the molecular state of the food, neutralizing the fishy smell and other harmful substances, while also producing a certain salty and savory taste.

Once cooked in such a pot, it can basically utilize all the edible spoils that have been salvaged, hunted, or captured. How can it not be considered all-encompassing?

In short, calling it delicious would be a stretch, and it's hardly healthy. However, for these "refugees" who had embarked on a journey of ten thousand light-years to finally settle on the edge of Femor, it was already a delicious treat that could heal their bodies and minds.

In the future, it may also heal the minds and bodies of others in more situations.

Yu Lian poured himself a bowl of soup, letting the bland yet rich warmth flow down his throat, and then stood up.

His body was never particularly strong or large, but it was quite upright.

At that moment, the sun outside the porthole was rapidly left behind by the cruising warship, and the light streaming into the warship turned the vast sky a deep blue for a moment before quickly dimming. In the instant the light was swallowed up, his shadow on the ground was stretched tall and long, like a mountain range.

He looked around at his officers.

"We will attack Chenxiao Fortress tonight, in three hours."

His tone was casual and indifferent.

Prior to this, Feifei had slightly adjusted the terminal to ensure that the commander's words were transmitted to every compartment in the entire fleet.

The soldiers put down their work and heard that familiar, calm, and confident voice:

"There's absolutely no need for you to worry. As long as you follow my instructions, victory is assured. Our target may be the most powerful fortress on the Galactic Empire's home turf, but it's utterly insignificant!"