Thirty exhausted Security Team grunts, five black panther cars, one captured stitched-up tank, and no air cover whatsoever, with no idea if support would arrive—they were to escort three hundred civilians, families in tow, through the battle lines of a million Sand People army armed with guns and cannons and comrades, and deliver them into the city.
If they actually pulled it off, it would be a glorious achievement worthy of history books and military textbooks, perhaps even praised for centuries as an epic of civilization.
Tell me, what protagonist in a web novel wouldn't want to show off? Wouldn't it be great to be a great hero, like a sage whose name goes down in history?
So, Yu Lian was tempted… just kidding!
He wasn't stupid!
Yu Lian rolled his eyes, wondering if he should use his psionic power to turn the person in front of him into a living meatball to feed the space amoebas.
At this moment, several people who were probably public representatives, who had come with the councilor, started to chatter.
"Yes, yes, it's safer in the city."
"Now that we have the soldiers, they can protect us, right?"
"Yes, we're already outside the city; no one can stand staying in the wilderness any longer!"
"You're a soldier, right? Say something! Isn't your duty to protect us?"
"We want safe housing, clean beds, doctors, and hot food!"
How about I knead all of you into meatballs to feed the amoebas? Yu Lian thought with a smile.
Doctor Banks, behind him, looked embarrassed and went to explain, but he was surrounded before he could speak; Ina was gradually showing her anger.
The soldiers saw this scene; some were at a loss, while others gathered around.
Seeing this, the public representatives quieted down a bit.
The councilor glared fiercely at the "public representatives" behind him: "What are you doing? What are you doing? Are you some kind of mob? You are all prominent figures in New Yumen; can't you have a little dignity?"
He must have had a lot of prestige, as everyone immediately shut up grudgingly.
Taking this opportunity, he grabbed Yu Lian's hand and said kindly, "I understand; this kind of thing needs to be discussed at length, and this is indeed not the place to talk.
Please come with me.
It's also a good opportunity for some hospitality."
Yu Lian wanted to shake off the other party's hand, but this elegant councilor actually had some wrist strength, and he couldn't resort to violence in front of everyone.
With this hesitation, he was dragged to the most luxurious RV in the convoy.
Yu Lian knew this was the 825 model of the Alliance-produced Kodobeast RV.
Its interior living space was extremely large, with all kinds of living facilities complete, and enough supplies and energy to allow five or six people to live quite comfortably for two or three weeks.
In addition, the top-spec version of this model could also be equipped with military armor, liquid metal coating, shields, and nano-repair machines, making it even more resilient than the stitched-up tank everyone had captured.
Even running through wind and fire in sandstorms or even acid rain for a week or two, it would still remain shiny and new.
Standing before this vehicle, which resembled a mobile villa, Yu Lian felt a momentary awe (due to its price).
He knew that all the soldiers at 12th Garrison Station would have to save for ten years without eating or drinking to afford the price of this behemoth.
Yet, not far from this RV, dozens of dusty, travel-worn buses and trucks were scattered haphazardly.
Equally dusty ordinary citizens, wrapped in drab windproof cloaks, stood around blankly, even numbly, like a group of puppets.
They still had some food to fill their bellies, but it was nothing more than some long-stored instant food, and not much of it.
Of course, they didn't dare to light fires and could only huddle together around some low-power small heating devices.
Their bodies, wrapped in windproof cloaks, shivered, no different from the scavengers and homeless people who wandered in the shadows of the big cities, living from hand to mouth.
Yu Lian had seen such scenes many times in later generations, whether among humans or other Wisdom races.
Logically, a Galaxy society that could already traverse the star sea should have reached an era of explosive productivity and never-ending resources, but that was not the case.
Whether it was because the technology tree was skewed, or whether the saying "productivity determines production relations" was not absolutely correct, Yu Lian was not too sure.
He only knew that the higher-ups had different simple and boring joys in every era; but the common people, in every era, had similar hardships and difficulties.
"You see, Warrant Officer, I did not deceive you.
We lack food, cold-weather supplies, and medicine.
Everyone is actually at their limit.
After a while, there won't even be canned goods and black bread to eat.
So, I hope you can understand everyone's anxiety."
The councilor's face was full of compassion.
If he hadn't been saying this in an RV, with natural warm air blowing from the simulated ecological equipment, swaying a glass of Holy Venerable Red Wine in his hand, and exquisite pastries on the crystal coffee table in front of him, Yu Lian almost would have believed him.
"Forgive the poor hospitality, make yourself at home.
You've just finished fighting and need to rest."
The councilor was very enthusiastic, or rather, overly enthusiastic, exactly like a friendly and hospitable neighbor uncle.
He poured Yu Lian a glass of red wine.
"Warrant Officer, I heard that your esteemed officer is a student at Central Defense University?
Is this your graduation internship?"
"...Precisely.
I'll be graduating next summer."
"That's excellent.
I graduated from the Civil Engineering Department of Wu Port Military Academy, but I was ultimately unable to join the military and later earned a degree from the Venice Business School.
You see, we have similar backgrounds, which provides a good basis for a thorough exchange."
It took Yu Lian nearly two seconds to understand what the other party meant.
Because he was a student of the Defense University, part of the military's so-called "elite bureaucratic group," he was qualified to have an equal conversation with a distinguished graduate like the councilor.
If he hadn't been leading the team now, but Lieutenant Mondeson, the councilor would never have been so polite.
Hmm, no problem, it's very logical.
All kinds of contempt chains form classes, and also society.
Academic contempt is certainly a part of it, and a rather large proportion at that.
"We are the elite of society and the nation, and sometimes we need to bear greater responsibilities; you should understand, right?
Of course, this even includes some things that might be misunderstood."
"This, Your Excellency, Councilor... What exactly do you need this subordinate to do? Please speak frankly."
"Very good, to the point and direct, that's how we military academy elites should be."
The other party praised him.
Yu Lian felt that if he weren't a so-called "Moon People," the councilor would probably have thought something like, "Crude * *, certainly not worth planning with."
"I understand your concerns, Warrant Officer.
With such a small force, it's impossible to escort everyone into Tulon.
The trucks and buses the refugees are riding in can't even block a raptor's claws."
The councilor's words surprised Yu Lian.
Seeing his reaction, the other party smiled and said, "Didn't I tell you, I also studied at a military academy; I'm your senior.
I have basic military knowledge.
However, from my position, there's really no way to make everyone remain rational."
Yu Lian swirled his wine glass, watching the other party silently.
Whether pretending to be one of them or pretending to be pitiful, these guys always resorted to their traditional tricks; whoever took it seriously was a fool.
"However, you've seen my car, haven't you?
This kind of RV with shields and armor—the convoy can gather three or four of these, plus your black panther cars and battle vehicles.
That should be enough for an assault force."
It had to be admitted, the councilor's words made sense.
Although there were no more monsters like the Kodobeast 3 in the convoy that could directly crush a large raptor, there were indeed a few high-end RVs with better defenses than the black panther car—after all, this was New Yumen, and those who dared to buy property here always cherished their lives.
In terms of defense alone, this was already a very combat-effective armored assault force.
However, Yu Lian still had questions: "...Abandon those trucks?"
"During the breakout, they would only be a hindrance; your esteemed officer should know that better than I."
"There are at least over a thousand people in the convoy; can these few RVs... hold them?"
"This is what I meant by 'might be misunderstood.'
You are still young, Warrant Officer; later you will know that no matter how hard you try, there will always be things that don't go as planned, always unfairness; perhaps that is life.
But we cannot delay important matters by pursuing this ethereal fairness."
What exactly are your so-called important matters? Your own life?
"The RVs should be able to cram in a hundred people.
I will bring some important figures and their families.
Don't worry, Warrant Officer, they are all socialites of a certain standing, with some reputation in the Tulon council, and even in the Galaxy Native Land.
When this is over, people will only remember that you saved a hundred lives, including elderly people and children."
But I will remember that I abandoned another thousand people, including elderly people and children.
"Of course, the remaining people are indeed somewhat pitiful.
You can leave a small team to protect them; as long as they hold the valley entrance, they should be able to hold out until rescue arrives.
Hmm, may the universe spirit bless them; they will surely persevere to the end."
Yu Lian suppressed his urgent desire to destroy something, his smile unchanged—at this point, he could still smile, which surprised even himself.
"...Why not wait a few more days, Your Excellency, Councilor?
I estimate that Tulon City will launch a counterattack very soon.
Reinforcements from the garrison and the Outer Rim fleet should also arrive soon.
Why do we need to risk entering the city?"
"Ah, haven't you seen already?
Everyone's supplies won't last much longer."
The councilor took a sip of wine and then popped a small cake into his mouth.
Yes, wait another day or two, and the poor, lacking clothes and food, might just turn on you.
Once people get desperate, hearing children cry from hunger, even the weakest person will turn into a monster.
That's why you want me to escort you into the city first, isn't it?
So, unified management of the entire convoy's supplies, distributing the excess resources of the rich to the poor who lack clothes and food.
That option was never even considered by you, was it?