C11 I Don't like Killing People(1)

Shortly after George issued the ceasefire command, the three besieging Aegis units withdrew, and the remaining Primordial forces followed suit, standing down. It wasn't that they couldn't win; rather, it was important to save George's face, especially in front of others.

Each person mentally sought an exit strategy, taking cover behind George as if engaged in a game of eagle and chicks, each trying to be more inconspicuous than the last.

Gu Xian observed them with a cool detachment, wondering what ploy the Security Department was concocting now. On his journey through eleven star systems, he had clashed with Federation police officers countless times. He hadn't encountered Aegis before, but the distinctive red and blue livery of the police mecha had made a lasting impression.

All those battles had culminated in defeat for the officers, yet this was the first time one had claimed a misunderstanding and called for a ceasefire. Gu Xian was curious to hear George's explanation.

He wasn't fond of killing. Given even the slightest chance, he would always choose a non-lethal path.

George's greatest fear was Gu Xian's relentless pursuit of justice. The tally of 875 mecha defeats hung over him, an incomplete count that echoed like a devil's whisper in his mind.

Such a formidable figure must relish combat, perhaps even take pleasure in killing? George was anxious, dreading a relentless pursuit by Gu Xian, but fortune seemed to be on his side this time.

Relieved, George turned to his team, who looked like startled birds, and chastised them, "Cowards! What's there to fear? Don't even think of claiming you're with me after this!"

The team members exchanged looks, silently condemning his brazenness.

George, as if waving a white flag of truce, raised his hands and reintroduced himself.

"I'm Captain George of the first investigation team of the Aelley Security Department. Mr. Gu Xian, the recent events were all a big misunderstanding, and I hope you can overlook them. I've just been informed that you are a friend of Princess Eliza. Rest assured, any warrants for your arrest are hereby nullified in the Siron Galaxy. Please accept my apologies for any offense or alarm we may have caused. To make amends, I will promptly arrange a banquet in honor of Mr. Gu's visit."

Shock? Really?

The police communicator was abuzz with heated debates.

"Captain, are you sure you're not mixing up your words?"

"We shocked him? After he pummeled us with his engineering mecha, we're the ones who shocked him?"

"Captain, if you keep up this shamelessness, I'm going to lose it."

"Are we supposed to compensate him for emotional distress?" someone chimed in sarcastically.

The team envisioned the scenario and reflected on the battle's outcome, feeling deeply wronged. They unanimously urged George to choose his words more carefully.

Gu Xian remained unmoved, his grip on the three alloy knives unyielding, clearly unswayed by George's rhetoric.

Gu Xian was well aware that people's words could be deceptive.

He hadn't fully trusted Princess Eliza's pardon, opting to covertly land on the planet instead, and he was equally skeptical of George's claim that this was all a misunderstanding.

His instructor had drilled into him one crucial survival tactic: trust no one.

George, brimming with hope and a Silverston University alumnus, had his wits about him despite years in the Security Department trenches.

He swiftly picked up on Gu Xian's hesitation and quickly reassured him, "Please activate your communication interface. I'll transfer the documents to you. Check the timestamp when they arrive; it'll verify the truth of my words. And to demonstrate my sincerity, I'll retract the mecha after the transfer. Please, don't be alarmed."

No sooner had he spoken than the communicator erupted in chaos.

"Boss, have you lost your mind?!"

"Refusal! I'm not stepping out of this mecha!"

"I'd rather die than comply! Boss, you can't be serious?"

While locating Gu Xian's engineering mecha in the public transmission channel and transferring the files, George retorted icily, "As if you could take him on in your mechas."

Silence ensued.

The unassailable truth stung sharply.

"This is why we never should've let someone with such a sharp tongue lead us!" the team grumbled in unison as they followed George's lead and retracted the battered Aegis.

Gu Xian meticulously reviewed the documents and observed them exiting their mechas, which were then stored in the space converter. His heart finally began to settle.

It looked like there had been a genuine misunderstanding.

He was relieved to realize it was just that—a misunderstanding. He longed for a normal life, the kind of serene tranquility that Old Charlie had described, a dreamlike calm he had never before experienced. Such peace was a luxury previously unknown to him.

Even if this weren't a misunderstanding, summoning the mecha through the space converter would take time. Judging by their positioning, he had enough time to snap their necks if necessary.

After considering his contingency plans, Gu Xian relaxed.

He maneuvered the Pioneer to head back.

"What's he up to?"

"Maybe he's trying to climb out the window since the elevator's out," George surmised.

"Right, we need to get out too. Let's just hope he doesn't think we called in the Aegis to attack him," the leader of Team A said with a grimace, his fear of Gu Xian etched into his very DNA.

"Cowards!" The others silently scorned him, their anxiety palpable.

The Pioneer and the damaged Aegis soon touched down in the rest area.

Vian shooed away the members of Team B who had come running at the sound. It was morning, and they had been resting when the din from the steel tower's battle had jolted them awake.

Gu Xian popped open the cockpit of the Pioneer and climbed down the ladder.

The stout Pioneer was unscathed but grimy from the fray.

It had been unharmed by the laser beam, but the blast wave from the High Explosive Mine had left its mark.

The forceps-shaped clamp on the left hand was intact, but the slender laser cutter on the right had been discarded for a pair of alloy knives.

Aside from the molten alloy that was now scrap, the intense battle had put immense strain on the main engine and the two auxiliary engines, likely reducing their operational lifespan considerably.

Gu Xian conducted a thorough inspection of the mech. Meanwhile, a dozen officers from the Security Department kept their distance, hesitant to come any closer.

After Vian had messaged Team A and coordinated with Team B to fix the elevator, he approached Gu Xian with George in tow.

Despite having seen photos of Gu Xian, George was still taken aback by his youthful presence.

Before George could utter a word, Gu Xian turned to Vian and stated coolly, "The Pioneer might need extensive repairs and several new parts. I won't be able to make it to work today."

"No problem at all," George eagerly interjected, "You shouldn't be working. Why would someone of your talent need to engage in such grueling labor?"

Gu Xian glanced at him and turned to Vian, "Is he here to stir up trouble? Should I escort him out?"

The term 'escort' visibly unnerved George, prompting a quick denial and a firm recommendation for Vian to speak more diplomatically.

With George's intimidating stare bearing down on him, Vian dropped the idea of joking and recounted the events in detail.