Mech: Shattering of the Galaxy

"Name?"

"Mu Fan."

"Let's see, you're from Loga Star, coming from the Purple Jade Star testing center, identified as a core student among the specially recruited by Dingchuan Academy. Am I correct?"

The captain had an epiphany and pulled out a light and shadow tablet for data retrieval.

"What's stored on his tablet are regular training routines and an empty communication system; he's lying," Black unveiled the trickery with indifference.

Mu Fan nodded calmly, indicating that he was correct.

Seeing how nonchalantly the youth behaved, showing no intention to join in his conversation, the captain laughed and said, "Relax a bit, I'm just asking some simple questions. I'm Captain Gu Qing from the Blue Capital Star second-level Military Department."

After finishing his introduction, Gu Qing's gaze fixed on Mu Fan, but in the youth's eyes, he saw no fluctuation, only a formal nod, "Good to meet you, Captain Gu."

Hearing those four words, Gu Qing knew Mu Fan was not going to be easy to engage. The youth's stubborn resistance had something of a spy's demeanor.

However, considering the colonel's instructions from before, Gu Qing quietly shifted his thoughts and continued to ask, "Mu Fan, I'm going to ask you a few things, and I hope you'll answer truthfully."

"Please go ahead."

Mu Fan's posture became even more impeccable, his upright torso from any angle appearing every inch the image of a distinguished soldier.

"Regarding Planet 131, according to the base's shared information, you were the first person to discover the Zeg Clan's nest, also the first to uncover the Zeg Clan's ambush, and also the first to detect the Zeg Clan's nocturnal attack... Don't you think, as a student, you're doing a bit too much?"

Mu Fan seemed well-prepared for the question, and after a brief contemplation, he spoke, "Regarding the discovery of the Zeg Clan's nest, it wasn't just me; it was a joint discovery with Yin Shuai. As for the other two incidents, they may have something to do with my keen instinct."

"There's a recording in this room, so please ensure your statements are substantiated; this captain has ulterior motives," whispered Black's voice subtly.

Clearly, whether it was Gu Qing across him or certain people monitoring through the screen, they were hoping to detect some discrepancies in Mu Fan's words.

Hearing Black, Mu Fan saw Gu Qing was about to speak, but preempted him by saying, "As for what I've said, the ship's database records contain footage of the entire sequence of events, which I urge the captain to review."

Gu Qing, who was about to speak, found the words stuck in his throat. Mu Fan's eyelids drooped, once again assuming the demeanor of an obedient student.

"Mu Fan, according to our data, how does a student with an ordinary background, and newbie to the academy, master advanced mecha piloting skills? This detail was never mentioned in your personal profile before."

Gu Qing tapped a few times on his tablet, and an image appeared—Mu Fan piloting a Ripper with a battle flag in a charge. His shadow flickered like the wind and in no way could be linked to a mere 17-year-old.

"That might be because I haven't disclosed relevant information before. As for my mecha skill, I have never hidden it; you can check the Loki Heavy Industry qualification match at the Blue Capital Star Mecha Patrol Exhibition from two weeks ago, where I participated as a Mechanical Master in two battles with an Extreme Special Soldier mecha. I believe that sufficiently demonstrates my mecha piloting skills. If you require more detailed inquiry, you may confirm with Mr. Wang Ji of Loki Heavy Industry."

Mu Fan's expression remained untouched, simply addressing the question as usual.

However, Gu Qing's countenance was no longer as pleasant; he had underestimated how difficult Mu Fan would be.

Didn't the file say this young man was poor at socializing and speaking?

He thought as he beckoned those who provided the profile to observe Mu Fan's watertight level of responses—more professional than an intelligence officer!

But considering his own mission, Gu Qing still suppressed the discomfort rising within him.

His fingers began to rhythmically tap on the alloy tabletop.

Mu Fan instantaneously dissected the opposing captain's movements, a slight smile beginning to show.

This was a sign that the other party's tempo was becoming disrupted.

"Very good, up to now I would rate both your posture and speech at 100, with no deductions so far. Counter-interrogation training requires you to answer questions within 0.2-0.4 seconds after the other party speaks, while maintaining your heartbeat and facial expressions. You've done very well in this respect; your stoic expression has been particularly indiscernible," Black commented.

Mu Fan wasn't sure whether to feel proud or to laugh. What was meant by a "stoic face"?

At that moment, information flickered across the light-shadow tablet in front of Gu Qing, her expression subtly shifting after reading it.

Thus, she looked up and said to Mu Fan with a smile, "Please don't take it personally, Mr. Mu Fan. My questioning is over. This is a standard procedure of the military."

"Understood."

"So, after I state the most important matter, you may leave," Gu Qing said, her tone becoming more stern as she watched Mu Fan. "The Military Department has issued a gag order concerning Planet 131, which means anyone who participates in the special training on Planet 131 must not disclose a single word about anything they see or learn on the planet in any form. If it is discovered, they will be subjected to military law!"

"If you have no objections, please sign this document."

A document combining paper and electronic records was tossed over.

Mu Fan picked it up and leafed through it quickly. The gag order the military had issued this time was exceedingly stringent in detail, and even the lowest level of punishment involved serving in combat on a frontier planet for over five years!

The document was endorsed by the first-class military authority.

This was a document from the Military Department on Capital Star...

It seemed the military didn't want anyone to know about the changes on Planet 131, but why had the Star Thieves been informed of their return journey?

Moreover, the severity of this gag order seemed excessive, given that some personnel had already been made aware of it before departure.

However, after reviewing it, Mu Fan didn't hesitate to sign his name and pressed his finger onto the electronic record for fingerprint entry.

Seeing Mu Fan sign so readily, a genuine smile finally emerged on Gu Qing's face.

As she collected the documents, she said, "Due to the Military Department's gag order, all awards related to the Zeg Clan eradication training operation are cancelled. I've heard that Major Lin Hao already applied for an honorary medal on behalf of Mr. Mu Fan. Please be mentally prepared."

Her smug expression conveyed a harsh reality—Mu Fan probably wouldn't receive any honors after all.

Mu Fan's eyelids drooped momentarily before he looked up again. "Thank you for the heads-up, Captain Gu. May I leave now?"

"Oh, of course."

She stretched out her hand, leading Mu Fan out of Room G12, watching him go before taking out the light-shadow tablet once more to read the message on it.

"Finish the investigation quickly, come to the 3rd floor tactical seminar hall—[Li Shen]."

A message from Colonel Li. Had there been a change in plans?

Watching the young man's retreating figure, Gu Qing hurried into the floating stairs.

At that moment, in the security building's spacious third-floor conference hall, Li Shen and a host of command officers sat on one side of the long conference table, with Lin Hao the only one seated on the opposite side.

The change in location indicated a shift in the content of their discussion.

Li Shen glanced down at the screen in front of him, touched it, and a light screen projecting a certain document appeared.

Upon closer inspection, it was the "gag order" that Mu Fan had just signed and fingerprinted!

"So, the Centurion Medal that Major Lin spoke of first needs to have the details discussed thoroughly; secondly, even the Centurion Medal has been decided by the Military Department to be rejected; lastly, your student has already signed the gag order," he stated indifferently, as if only reading out something.