From cannon fodder to sweeping across thousands of stars.

Chapter 787 Amber's First Combination Punch

As dusk deepened over Gliese, neon lights lit up one by one above the city, illuminating the satellite that floated beside a giant gas planet.

On weekday evenings, people gradually leave their respective workplaces and hurried home or to the agreed meeting places.

Jason McLaren dragged his tired body into the 'White Beard' pub, which was his regular habit every Friday.

The pub is located in a busy alley in the commercial district. Its decoration style is a mixture of pirate ships from the Blue Star era and elements from the early interstellar colonization and development period. Several star maps and old-fashioned ship rudders are hung next to the wooden bar, while the walls are covered with translucent metal panels, on which flow projections of various strange nebulae in the universe.

"Same old, Jason?"

Malloy, the bartender and owner, recognized the regular and reached for the bottle of whiskey.

Jason nodded and plopped down at the bar, relaxing a little.

"Ice, thanks. The damn freight management system broke down again today, so we had to work overtime for two full hours."

Malloy skillfully poured amber liquid into the glass and casually threw in a piece of ice cube cut into a polyhedron - this was one of his signature skills. Not every bartender could master the art of cutting a standard cube shape by hand.

"Hey, didn't you say last time that the system had been upgraded and it was much more convenient? I remember it was new technology provided by Atlas Group."

“It is an upgrade, that’s for sure.”

Jason took a sip of his wine, feeling the spicy liquid sliding down his throat, and continued, "But there are always compatibility issues. Migrating data from the old system always goes wrong. But to be honest, compared to the even more crappy system half a year ago, this is heaven now."

I hadn't known when the pub was filled with people, most of whom were workers and clerks who were off work from nearby factories and office areas. They gathered in groups of three or four to discuss the day's work and life.

The air was filled with the aroma of barbecue and beer, mixed with the noise of people's voices, giving people a strange sense of security.

At the other end of the bar, three middle-aged men in work clothes were discussing something enthusiastically, and their voices gradually drowned out the conversations around them.

"Let me tell you, the formal establishment of the Renaissance Alliance is no small matter!"

One of the men with a mustache waved his arms. "Our department held a special meeting this morning to discuss the rectification plan. I heard that we need to reorganize the internal structure of the company."

"What's there to fix?" another tall and thin man retorted, "Since Atlas took over our factory's production line, the management has been standardized. We now have an eight-hour work system, and overtime is paid three times the salary. It's much better than the previous exploitative boss."

"That's right. Do you remember those shitty officials during the Federation period?"

A third man chimed in, his thick beard looking comically stained by beer foam.

"Taxes were ridiculously high, and prices were rising every day. It's so good now, at least we can take a breath."

Hearing the three of them chatting, the people around them were also attracted and began to interrupt. An elderly woman shook her head and said, "As long as it's not as corrupt as the old Federation, it's fine. My son was a soldier during the Federation period. Not only was he unable to deposit credit points into the family account every month, but he had to owe the army a lot of money. He was injured for the Federation."

The woman's words resonated with everyone. As everyone had lived under the rule of the Federation not long ago, which was a world of difference from their current lives, they could not help but complain about their previous lives.
"It's much better now," a young man sitting in the corner interrupted, "I was just hired by a subsidiary of Atlas Group last month. My salary is twice what I used to make, and I also have medical insurance."

Malloy, who had just poured Jason a glass of wine, joined the discussion with a smile while wiping the glass. "I heard that the Atlas Group is going to expand in the Grace Galaxy again. It seems that they are going to build a new R&D center."

"Really?" several people asked at the same time, with hope glittering in their eyes.

Malloy nodded, "It's absolutely true. My cousin works in the recruitment department and he said they want to recruit at least 5,000 people."

Cheers suddenly broke out in the tavern. In this era when the war had just ended, stable job opportunities were more precious than anything else.

"The Renaissance Alliance and the Atlas Group are a match made in heaven!" A drunken guest raised his glass, "Cheers to our new era!"

Jason half turned around, listening to their conversation intentionally or unintentionally.

During this period, similar discussions could be seen everywhere on Grace II. After the Renaissance Alliance overthrew the federal government, it did bring about some positive changes - taxes were reduced, working conditions improved, and those corrupt officials who were once high in the sky were also brought down one after another.

People believe that all this is largely due to the intervention of the Atlas Group.

Malloy wiped a glass and glanced at the holographic screen in the middle of the tavern: "The ratings are up again. Atlas's elf anchors are really a money-making tool."

The holographic screen was playing Atlas Media's evening news, and a female elf anchor with silver hair and purple eyes was reporting on the latest policies of the Renaissance Alliance.

She was wearing a slim-fitting dark blue suit, and her perfect facial features and elegant body language attracted the attention of most men in the bar.

"Stop looking. If your wife knew that you stare at these female elves every day, she would definitely not forgive you." Jason teased.

"Hey, I'm concerned about current events!"

Malloy defended himself, but couldn't help but glance at the screen a few more times, and continued: "But to be honest, the news of the Atlas Group is indeed professional, at least much better than those robots of the Renaissance Alliance who can only read scripts. I would say that these idiots of the Renaissance Alliance are not even half as good as the Federation in the field of media."

At this moment, the originally peaceful news footage was suddenly interrupted, and the "Emergency News" logo flashed on the screen, accompanied by an extremely catchy and attention-grabbing prompt sound.

The noise in the pub gradually died down, and people's eyes turned to the screen.

"Dear viewers, we have an urgent news interruption."

The female elf host's expression became serious and her voice was no longer gentle, and everyone's emotions were aroused by her words.

"Recently, a serious kidnapping incident occurred on Vlagon IV. Pru Vidal, the 14-year-old adopted daughter of Mr. Vidal, the head of the Atlas Group's Vlagon Galaxy office, was forcibly taken away by a group of armed men on her way home from school."

The pub suddenly fell silent, with only the clear voice of the host on the screen echoing in the space.

"According to the exclusive intelligence obtained by our reporter, this was not an accidental incident, but a premeditated action!"

The screen switched to a surveillance video, showing several heavily armed men carrying an unconscious girl into a car and quickly driving away.

"What's even more shocking is that the mastermind behind these kidnappers turned out to be the special operations department of the Renaissance Alliance."

"What?" The mustachioed man who had just been loudly discussing the establishment of the Renaissance Alliance suddenly stood up, "This is impossible!"

The scene on the screen switched again, this time showing a series of screenshots of documents and meeting records, and the voice of the elf female anchor became heavier:
"The following are confidential documents obtained by the Atlas Group's security department in the Flagon Galaxy during the rescue of Pru. These documents clearly record a series of kidnapping operations against Atlas Group employees and their families planned by the top leaders of the Renaissance Alliance! These documents show that the Flagon Galaxy is only the first step, and the Renaissance Alliance plans to launch similar operations in multiple star systems at the same time!"

Malloy gasped. "Holy shit, they actually kidnapped a 14-year-old girl? Are these bastards crazy?"

Jason didn't say anything, but frowned and stared at the screen intently.

A picture of a girl appeared on the screen - Pru Wedel, a 14-year-old girl with a gentle smile, wearing ordinary gummy bear children's clothes, looking no different from other girls of her age.

In the video, the elf female anchor continued to say: "It is worth mentioning that Prue Wedel showed amazing courage and wit after being kidnapped! Not only did she successfully escape and ask for help, she also cooperated with the security forces to obtain these important evidence. The following is the picture taken when the Atlas Group security team picked up Prue."

A blurry but clear enough video appeared on the screen, showing a group of fully armed adults being tied up and escorted out of a building. Then the scene changed to show Pru being examined by medical personnel next to an armored vehicle. She didn't seem to be in any serious trouble.

"That's really a 14-year-old girl?! How did she do it?" The tall and thin worker widened his eyes.

"It must be an Atlas agent pretending to be someone else. It can't be real." The mustache man retorted, but his tone was no longer so certain.
"Yes! It must be the Atlas Group that is throwing mud!" his other companion immediately echoed.

The voice of the elf female anchor came again: "According to reliable information, these kidnapping operations were carried out under the authorization of the Renaissance Alliance's special intelligence department. The purpose is to threaten Atlas Group's overseas personnel and make them cooperate with the Renaissance Alliance's upcoming series of asset freezing and takeover operations against Atlas Group."

There was a commotion in the tavern. People were talking, some were slamming the table angrily, and some were shaking their heads in disbelief. Jason and Malloy could clearly feel the atmosphere around them becoming tense. "This can't be true," a young man in a Renaissance Alliance uniform shouted, "This must be fake news made up by Atlas!"

"Fabricated? Those documents look real enough!"

Another person immediately spoke up to refute: "And you, the Renaissance Alliance, have long been dissatisfied with Atlas' influence, right?"

"Hey, gentlemen, calm down! Let us hear what's going on!"

Malloy spoke louder and louder, trying to calm the situation, while one hand reached for the weapon under the bar, just in case.

On the holographic screen, the female elf anchor continued to report: "Even more shocking is that these documents reveal a secret plan within the Renaissance Alliance - an attempt to weaken and eventually replace the influence of the Atlas Group in the areas controlled by the Renaissance Alliance. This plan is led by senior members of the Renaissance Alliance, Hall and Cole, and may even have been tacitly approved by Franklin himself."

Three photos appeared on the screen, showing Hall, Cole, and Franklin, along with close-ups of several documents they signed.

A man who seemed to be working in a factory under the Atlas Group could not help but shout angrily after seeing this scene: "This is betrayal! The Atlas Group helped them overthrow the Federation, and this is how they repay them?"

"Betrayal? Don't be silly!"

The young man in uniform fought back: "The Renaissance Alliance is to build an independent new world. We can't always rely on the Atlas Group."

The argument became more and more heated, and the atmosphere in the pub became tense.

Jason noticed that almost everyone was divided into two factions - those who supported the Atlas Group and those who supported the Renaissance Alliance, with almost no middle ground.

Just as the argument was about to escalate into a physical conflict, the news footage on the holographic screen was interrupted by an official notice - the Renaissance Alliance Provisional Government announced that it would close Atlas Media's channel in the Grace System starting immediately, on the grounds of "spreading false information and endangering public safety."

The screen went black for a moment, then switched to the official channel of the Renaissance Alliance. An expressionless male announcer began to read a statement: "The incident in the Vlagon Galaxy was purely the unauthorized action of a few individuals. The Renaissance Alliance Provisional Government has dealt with the relevant responsible persons seriously! We reiterate that the cooperative relationship between the Renaissance Alliance and the Atlas Group remains firm and unchanged."

"Bullshit! They closed the channel because they feel guilty! They don't want us to see the truth!" A middle-aged woman stood up angrily.

The uniformed young man retorted again: "Why do you think what Atlas said is the truth? Maybe that girl doesn't exist at all, and she is just a fabrication by them to attack the Renaissance Alliance!"

As the argument intensified, Malloy, the tavern's owner, tried to tune back into Atlas, but all attempts failed.

"Damn it, it's really been cut off," he cursed under his breath, "How is this different from the Federation period?"

Just then, the door of the pub was pushed open and a group of people in security uniforms walked in.

The leader was a burly man. He looked around and announced loudly: "According to Decree No. 457 of the Provisional Government of the Renaissance Alliance, it is forbidden to discuss the Vlagon Galaxy incident in public places from now on. Violators will be subject to administrative detention. Citizens, please understand and cooperate."

There was an uproar in the pub. Some people stood up angrily, while others quietly slipped to the back door.

Jason felt a chill running up his spine. This scene was so familiar, just like the methods used to suppress dissent during the Federation era.

"Is this what you call the new order? What's the difference between what you do and the Federation?" An old man stood up and pointed at the security personnel with trembling hands.

The security guard walked towards the old man with a blank expression: "Citizen, please come with us."

"Why? I was just telling the truth!"

Two security guards wearing light combat exoskeletons stepped forward and grabbed the old man's arms, preparing to take him away. At this moment, a commotion broke out in the pub and several young people rushed forward to stop them.

"Let him go!"

"This is a public place, we have the right to discuss!"

"The Renaissance Alliance is the New Federation! We have freedom of speech!"

Chaos broke out in an instant, people pushed and shouted, and some began throwing bottles and cups at security personnel.

The security personnel took out the explosion-proof stun batons, formed a formation and advanced threateningly.

Jason had already hidden behind the bar, watching the chaos with confusion and anger in his heart.

He once thought that the rise of the Renaissance Alliance would bring about real change, but now it seems that it may just be a change of rulers.

"Now we're in big trouble."

Malloy squatted beside Jason with a pale face, and he didn't have the courage to touch the weapons hidden under the bar.

"I just want to run a pub and live a peaceful life, but I don't intend to get involved in this kind of incident."

Jason did not answer. His attention was drawn to his personal terminal which was vibrating wildly. Then he found that not only he, but also Malloy beside him and everyone else in the tavern seemed to have received the message at the same time.

It was a data packet from an unknown source that somehow bypassed the Renaissance Alliance's communication blockade and was sent directly to everyone's terminal.

Jason clicked on it and saw a video - it was an interview with the kidnapped girl, Pru Wedder. She was calmly recounting her experience, the whole process of her being kidnapped, escaping, and subduing the kidnapper.

The video also contains a complete version of those confidential documents, which are far more detailed and shocking than what is shown in the news.

The chaos in the tavern suddenly subsided, and people stopped fighting and took out their terminals. The security guards also stood there in a daze, apparently they had received the same news.

Jason whispered, "Oh my god, everyone got it."

"It's not just us," Malloy pointed out the window, "it looks like the entire Gris-2 has received it."

Through the windows of the pub, you can see people on the street stopping and looking down at their terminals.

The official news of the Renaissance Alliance that was originally playing on the large public screen was forcibly switched, and now it was showing the interview video of Pru.

"This is..." Jason was so surprised that he was speechless.

Malloy also opened his eyes wide in surprise: "It seems that the technology level of the Atlas Group is indeed far superior to that of the Renaissance Alliance. They can easily bypass the communication blockade in a short time."

After the video was played, a striking line of text appeared on the screen: "The truth cannot be covered up, and freedom cannot be trampled upon."

Afterwards, the communication system of Grace II returned to normal, but no one was paying attention to the official channel of the Renaissance Alliance.

People began to discuss this matter on the streets, some angrily questioned the integrity of the Renaissance Alliance, and some worriedly speculated about the future situation.

The most surprising thing was that the security personnel who had been aggressive at first also left the pub silently without taking the old man away.

Jason sat at the bar, the whiskey in his hand had already run out. He looked out the window again and saw more people pouring into the streets. Some began to shout slogans, demanding a response from the Renaissance Alliance.

Further away, the sounds of security forces became increasingly clear, and it seemed that a larger-scale conflict was about to break out.

And all this is just the beginning.

(End of this chapter)