Xiao Xun blurted out without thinking, "I'm unwilling."
But no current passed through his body.
Qin Yongmei walked to the monitor and asked, "Is the instrument working properly?"
"It is."
"He had such a strong emotional fluctuation just now, and it didn't trigger any current?"
The staff member explained to Qin Yongmei, "His reaction was a normal anger response. His heart rate fluctuated significantly, but his skin resistance was fine. This only indicates he was genuinely angry, not that he was lying."
Qin Yongmei nodded. "Thank you for your hard work. You can pack up the equipment."
"Yes, Commander."
After the staff members pushed the equipment away, Qin Yongmei looked at Xiao Xun. "Our professionals have inspected all your equipment, especially the contents of these smart glasses. It's evident that you are genuinely considering the development of humanity."
Xiao Xun glared at her. "That was in the past. It won't be like that anymore."
Qin Yongmei smiled. "You've worked hard these past few days. Your screening is complete. You're the most resolute person I've ever met. I know you've had some extraordinary experiences. As long as they don't affect humanity's future, I have no objections or concerns. This way, I can confidently apply to headquarters to hand over Sector Eight entirely to you."
Xiao Xun looked at Qin Yongmei in surprise. "What do you mean by that? A slap followed by a sweet date?"
Qin Yongmei turned and took a hospital slip from a drawer, handing it to Xiao Xun. Xiao Xun clearly saw the words written on it: Late-stage brain cancer.
"This, this is..."
Qin Yongmei didn't seem ill at all. "The doctor said I have at most a month left to live. I hope to clarify all matters within this month."
"Should I believe you?"
Qin Yongmei reached up and removed her headgear, revealing a completely bald head. It was clear she was living solely on her inner strength and faith.
"No one else knows about this."
Qin Yongmei returned the ring to Xiao Xun. "I know you've suffered these past two days. Can I make a personal request?"
Xiao Xun clutched the ring tightly. "You said..."
"I hope you can take good care of my daughter for me. If I'm gone, she'll truly be alone in this world, with no other family."
"I promise."
"You just need to take care of her for me. Don't let her know too much, and don't let her know that an organization like Menshenhui exists. I just hope she can grow up as an ordinary person, healthy and well, and perhaps get married and have children. That would be enough."
"Alright."
Qin Yongmei unbound Xiao Xun and placed the tray on his lap. "Please check it and see if anything is missing. If not, you can go to work."
Xiao Xun glanced through the items. In reality, as long as he had the ring, the other items didn't matter.
"Was the video I saw real, or was it a fake video you made to test me?"
Qin Yongmei put her headgear back on. "Of course, it was real. The existence of extraterrestrials is not really a secret; it's just not publicized to the general public, mainly to avoid unnecessary panic."
Xiao Xun stood up. "What kind of organization is Menshenhui?"
"As you've seen, Menshenhui exists to keep danger at bay."
"Who is the boss of our headquarters?"
"You'll see. After the work is officially handed over, he will meet you proactively."
Xiao Xun voiced the question in his heart, "Is he human?"
Unexpectedly, Qin Yongmei's answer was, "Sort of!"
Xiao Xun understood something in his heart. "Okay, I understand."
He said, picking up the tray, "Can I leave now?"
"Of course."
After Xiao Xun left, he learned the severity of the situation. It could be said that everyone was in a state of panic. There were arrests of extraterrestrial spies on Blue Star everywhere, not just by Menshenhui, but also by other countries and international organizations. The instigator of all this was the planet's true indigenous inhabitants, some called the "Subterranean Civilization," but the most common name for these underground civilization groups was "Reptilians."
They would do whatever they could for the safety of this planet, even things that were considered "crazy."
Xiao Xun's position as the commander of Sector Eight was solidified. Headquarters had approved it, and for a time, no one dared to challenge his status.
However, Xiao Xun's mood turned grim. Bad news was pouring in from various sectors. Many sector commanders were accused of being spies. What were once regional discussion forums had now become sessions for self-criticism and "blame-shifting."
This was especially true for personnel working at headquarters and regional bases. In comparison, the combat units were relatively unaffected.
Although headquarters had explicitly stipulated that combat units would temporarily suspend "non-extraterrestrial investigations," a large number of combat personnel had formed self-investigation and self-correction organizations. The destructive power of these personnel was clearly greater than that of ordinary staff.
By the end of April, the Secretary-General, the one who spoke at meetings every day, was dismissed and arrested. Many headquarters staff were also suspended for investigation.
How many people who had worked at headquarters were not led by the Secretary-General? It was difficult to avoid some connection.
Smarter individuals quickly changed course, drawing clear lines of distinction. With no major incidents, they could pass. After all, headquarters sought an attitude.
Some colleagues, in order to protect their positions, readily threw others to the wolves, even racking their brains to find evidence to prove their commander's anti-alien activities and their own foresight.
What Xiao Xun found most unbearable was that many of these actions were to frame others and eliminate rivals to achieve their own goals. This despicable behavior of petty individuals had actually become a trend.
By early May, this situation had become normalized. Every day during meetings, everyone treaded on thin ice because, during the meetings, one could easily hear gunshots and the sounds of the headquarters enforcement team making arrests.
The "Cradle Project" was proceeding in an orderly manner. Scientists were in the final stages of modifying the "Primals." Several major challenges had been successfully overcome, such as spinal bone fusion, neuronal connection, vacuum insertion into the cockpit, and the breathing issue within the cockpit.
Issues concerning potential extraterrestrial combat, space warfare, personnel deployment, logistics, and weaponry required for battles had also been put on the agenda.
Xiao Xun was also received by his superiors at headquarters. Led by Qin Yongmei, he was brought to a large, rectangular conference room. The leader in the center of the room, dressed in red, looked like a normal human upon closer inspection.
Centered around him, with four people arranged on each side, a total of nine people constituted the highest decision-making body of Menshenhui.
Due to the dim lighting, only a massive beam of light shone down from above. This was where Xiao Xun was to stand.
Under Qin Yongmei's guidance, Xiao Xun slowly walked into the center of the beam of light. Upon entering, he felt surrounded by white walls, and he couldn't see anything clearly.
"Xiao Xun, do you know what this place is?"
The voice was cold, steady, and devoid of any emotion.