Crystals?
Leon's fingertips hovered in midair as he stared at the rotating crystal within the holographic projection. The cold refracted light cast shifting shadows across his face.
This prismatic mineral was etched with dense energy patterns along its surface. Even in the static image, one could tell that something resembling a liquid aura was flowing slowly within.
Data from the Intelligence Department refreshed constantly beside the image, showing that the substance contained an extremely high concentration of energy—its energy rating was approximately 7.2×10 joules per cubic centimeter.
Additionally, the Intelligence Department reported that Universe 18 harbored a species—or rather, a group—with extreme hostility toward humans, or more accurately, any intelligent lifeform. To better understand this universe, the Empire required elite investigators to conduct in-depth field research on the other side.
After reviewing the briefing, the holographic screen dissolved into scattered particles of light.
Leon stood silently at the center of the living room for a moment, then turned and walked toward the bathroom.
Warm water flowed over his body, and soon steam fogged the mirror. When he wiped away the condensation, the face staring back at him caused him to pause for a moment.
Though still handsome, his features now bore the marks of age.
The fine lines around his eyes were especially visible under the light. A few strands of silver hair at his temples stubbornly stood out—he definitely looked like a "middle-aged man" now.
Leon subconsciously touched the stubble on his chin and couldn't help thinking of Ada's seemingly ageless face.
She always joked that "aging can't catch me," but Leon knew exactly how much of his life he had burned through over the years.
"Really running on fumes now…"
He gave a bitter chuckle and shook his head before grabbing a towel to dry his hair.
Then he entered the walk-in closet, where the motion-sensor lights flickered on with his steps.
Leon deftly slipped into the casual wear custom-issued by the Investigation Department—
A dark blue shirt and tactical pants both woven from nano-fiber ballistic material.
As he tightened his gun holster, the leather gave off a familiar creak. He carefully checked and then holstered his custom Gauss pistol under his arm. Magazines loaded with Gauss spike rounds were secured on either side of his belt.
Finally, he reached into the back of a drawer and retrieved several micro-devices: a neurotoxin injector, a holographic jammer, and a birthday gift from Ada—a plasma cutter disguised as a button.
The apartment's smart system automatically switched to security mode as he left.
The elevator walls reflected his full gear—still upright and strong, but no longer young. The image of a seasoned agent.
Not long after—
The upper-level parking deck of the megastructure was quiet and empty, with only a few high-end hovercars parked in their reserved slots. Clearly, most residents were out enjoying the holiday.
Leon's vehicle, a seemingly ordinary black SUV, waited silently.
As he approached, the headlights lit up without a sound. After confirming his biometric data, the doors unlocked automatically.
Inside, the air was thick with the scent of leather and gun oil. A few hidden compartments in the console still held backup weapons.
The soft vibration of the engine starting passed subtly through the leather seat.
Leon gripped the steering wheel out of habit and pulled the heavily modified "government vehicle" out of the parking spot.
As he passed through the building's exit, he switched to manual mode, guiding the vehicle up the maglev track to the 700-meter mid-level flight lane.
At this altitude, the nightscape of Neo-Akra unfolded fully—
Countless neon signs flowed across building facades. The stream of air traffic on sky lanes resembled glowing arteries. In the distance, the golden dome of the Imperial Palace gleamed under the moonlight.
"Switch to auto-navigation. Destination: HQ—Investigation Department at the Imperial Palace."
After giving the command, Leon let go of the wheel. His seat reclined fifteen degrees, entering cruise mode.
The hovercar smoothly merged into the aerial traffic. The anti-glare glass softened the city's dazzling lights.
Looking down at the sleepless city, Leon's mind flashed back to his first glimpse of Neo-Akra over thirty years ago.
Back then, only a dozen megastructures stood here. Now it spanned three continents—a true mega-metropolis.
The Empire's growth had been astonishing. From the original Prime Universe Earth to its current dominion over seventeen parallel universes—all accomplished in just half a century.
A beep from the comms snapped Leon out of his thoughts.
Ada's hologram appeared in the passenger seat. She seemed to have just gotten out of the shower, her black hair still dripping.
"Forgot to tell you," she said with a playful smile. "I left a special\~ nutrient tonic in the fridge for you."
Leon was about to reply when the car gave a slight jolt.
The navigation indicated they were flying over the central business district, directly above the "Eternal Star Plaza."
Even at this altitude, the sound of Labor Day celebrations could be heard rising from the plaza below.
Glancing at the lively scene beneath them, Leon said, "I'll drink it when I get back."
"How long this time?"
Ada's tone turned serious.
It appeared she was on vacation too, and the Department hadn't assigned her to direct or oversee any operation related to Universe 18.
"Depends on how cooperative the locals are," Leon tried to sound casual. "Chris didn't say much. Might be routine recon. Could be I'm just babysitting some rookies."
Ada raised a brow, clearly skeptical. She was already planning to check the official files herself.
She simply nodded. "Don't forget what you promised."
The car entered the highway outside the city. The silhouette of the megastructures faded into the distance.
Leon gave the city one last glance. To him, the twinkling lights were both proof of the Empire's strength and treasures to be protected.
"When I get back, we'll register. Don't worry. I'll even bring a souvenir."
He ended the call.
"Mhm."
Ada's soft reply echoed before her hologram faded.
Soon, the hovercar entered the dedicated route to the Imperial Palace. Leon leaned back and closed his eyes.
The car's climate system emitted a soft hum, circulating purified air through the cabin.
Unconsciously, Leon drifted into a shallow sleep.
"Approaching destination. Estimated arrival in ten minutes at Investigation Department Central Parking," the car's clunky AI announced, waking him.
Leon slowly opened his eyes. The scene outside his window left even this battle-hardened agent breathless.
The Imperial Palace glowed like a radiant mountain range in the night. Its living-metal exterior shimmered, changing hue from deep purple to dark gold depending on the viewing angle.
Floodlights illuminated its perimeter like daytime. Patrolling Custodian Guards reflected that same golden glow in their power armor.
Most awe-inspiring of all was the dragon-emblem hologram suspended above the palace, rotating slowly with a diameter of over one kilometer. Every scale on its body was clearly visible.
The hovercar descended, passing through three security layers.
Without rolling down the window, biometric scanners confirmed his identity.
At the fourth checkpoint—an armed station—six auto-turrets locked onto the vehicle until the central control system verified Leon's high-level agent clearance.
"Welcome back, Agent Kennedy."
The mechanical sentry's voice rang out as the massive alloy gates opened slowly.
The headquarters tower of the Investigation Department loomed like a black sword piercing the clouds, its surface windowless and covered in countless sensor arrays.
Under the AI's control, Leon's hovercar parked precisely in Zone F of the mid-level garage.
As he stepped out, the lot was already filled with vehicles, and many agents had just arrived, briskly heading toward the elevators.
"Leon! You got called back too?"
A familiar voice echoed across the garage.
Leon turned to see Mike Monady stepping out of a deep blue hovercar.
As always, Mike looked "disheveled," with food stains on his shirt collar. It was clear he'd come straight here without freshening up.
Leon waited for his friend to approach, and together they joined the crowd heading for the elevators.
Inside the maglev elevator, the doors sealed, and the capsule began descending to the main hall.
Mike eyed the dark circles under Leon's eyes and quipped, "You look like hell. Another all-nighter?"
Leon shook his head. "Don't ask. How about you?"
"Ugh!"
Mike sighed dramatically, though his smile gave him away.
"The twins are little monsters. This emergency assignment saved me—now their mom's handling them."
He pulled out his wallet and flashed a photo of his wife and kids with a proud grin—
A former B-list movie star was shown separating two brawling twin boys. The background was a luxury villa by the seaside.
Before marrying Mike, his wife had a modest career in sci-fi and action flicks—one of which was a coming-of-age favorite for many teens.
After marriage, and especially after becoming a mother, she gave it all up to focus on family and enjoy a quiet, affluent life.
In the Empire, celebrity status meant nothing. There were no "special privileges." Even their salaries were only slightly above average.
By contrast, elite agents like Leon and Mike were among the true high earners—but the cost was living constantly at the edge of danger.
Seeing his friend's joy, Leon couldn't help thinking of the photo back in his apartment—him and Ada vacationing in Universe-02 (Avatar).
"Honestly," Mike said, lowering his voice, "when are you and our boss getting married?"
"After this mission."
Leon replied without hesitation.
"Respect."
Mike gave him a thumbs-up.
Among their peers, only Leon could "tame" their famously strict department head—and with marriage and potential parental leave, their work environment might finally ease up.
Ada's stern reputation was legendary within the Investigation Department.
Soon, the elevator reached the lobby. The doors opened to a rush of noise.
Agents from all divisions were assembling. Mission briefings rolled across large holographic displays.
As they stepped out, Chris Redfield—still massive in his uniform—stood nearby waiting.
The legendary commander was still leading the Department's Special Operations Unit. New scars traced his muscular arms.
He looked like he could solve most problems with brute force.
With gene-enhanced strength, Chris could probably smash multi-ton boulders bare-handed.
"Perfect timing," he said, eyeing the two of them. "We're heading straight to the platform. The next train's about to depart."
As they passed through the bustling hall, Leon noticed a red alert status flashing across the announcement board, with the text "Special Task Force for Warp Gate 18 Now Assembling" scrolling repeatedly.
At the central platform, a streamlined silver maglev train gleamed with blue lights, ready to launch.
Elite Special Ops, plainclothes agents, and various field specialists were already boarding.
Chris led Leon and Mike straight to the lead car, which resembled a miniature briefing room.
Once inside, Chris pulled up a holographic screen and said:
"These are the latest images from orbital drones and stealth hunters."
The feed showed a terrestrial planet resembling pre-terraformed Mars, dotted with dozens of massive city clusters.
Zoomed-in shots revealed architecture with a distinctly futuristic design—clearly a human interstellar civilization.
Even more striking were the warships in low orbit—their main cannons clearly packed significant firepower.
Stealth aerial drones had captured footage of massive mining pits and military checkpoints along key routes.
Human soldiers at the checkpoints wore powered armor resembling Titan suits, though notably sleeker.
Heavy armored units patrolled alongside them, inspecting all vehicles and personnel entering restricted areas.
Chris pointed to a starport in one of the cities. "We believe the humans in that universe have reached Type-II civilization status, with full interstellar travel and colonization capabilities.
It appears their technological growth relies heavily on those high-energy crystals.
But," he said, his tone growing serious:
"After consolidating data from all recon units and having it verified by the Intelligence Department, we've received a warning—
The universe beyond Warp Gate 18 harbors Zerg species that pose an extreme threat to human existence."
(End of Chapter)
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