"At this time, Spader said disdainfully, 'A civilization that relies solely on iron and blood tactics won't last long. Forget it, if we can't get anything out of the interrogation, we'll just leave it for now and hand them over to the Federation's special penal institutions later. Let them do the torture and dig out the mole!'"

"Valifa said with a somewhat unnatural expression, 'Is it appropriate to use torture?'"

"'Why isn't it appropriate? If we weren't too busy to deal with them right now, I wouldn't mind doing it myself.'"

"Spader said in a very cold voice. Don't underestimate the price they paid for winning this sudden encounter."

"The number of casualties hasn't even been tallied yet."

"Keep in mind they were almost home."

"These fallen people survived the dangerous expedition, only to fall at their own doorstep."

"How many hopeful relatives will be devastated by this?"

"In fact, this battle wasn't worth fighting at all. Normally, everyone should be working for the Star Ring City, and their enemies should be the alien races out there."

"Seeing that Spader was very unhappy, Valifa didn't continue."

"Actually, he still had concerns. Although they defeated the enemy and achieved victory, the strength of the Demun Empire was evident. This country was considered one of the top two or three in the Imperial Alliance and was usually very arrogant."

"..."

"-----------------------------"

"Half a month later, escorted by the Third Expeditionary Force, the Black Obsidian struggled towards Earth."

"In the Black Obsidian's command room, Putmi excitedly reported."

"'We estimate that we can reach Earth in another three hours.'"

"'We're finally home.'"

"Li Ruiqi said with mixed feelings."

"Everyone present was also very excited. They had finally returned after all kinds of hardships, and many couldn't help but wipe away the tears from the corners of their eyes."

"At this time, an operator hurriedly reported, 'Report, we have received a communication request from the Federation Headquarters.'"

"'Connect it!'"

"Li Ruiqi replied without hesitation."

"Soon, an image popped up, and the images of Speaker Long Ming and many councilors appeared."

"'Speaker, councilors, hello.'"

"Li Ruiqi solemnly greeted them."

"Speaker Long Ming said with a smile, 'Everyone, on behalf of the Federation, I welcome you home and thank you for your contribution to the Federation.'"

"Immediately, Long Ming and the councilors behind him burst into warm applause."

"'This is what we should do.'"

"Li Ruiqi responded with heartfelt joy."

"Long Ming nodded slightly and said to Li Ruiqi, 'Well, before you go home, there are still some things that need to be dealt with. I hope you can be patient and cooperate as much as possible.'"

"'We are willing to cooperate unconditionally!'"

"Li Ruiqi replied without any hesitation."

"..."

"Soon after, Li Ruiqi's voice sounded on the Black Obsidian's broadcast."

"'Hello everyone, this is Captain Li Ruiqi. Please put down what you are doing for the time being. There is an important announcement to be made!'"

"After hearing the broadcast, everyone on the Black Obsidian stopped what they were doing and listened nervously. They more or less guessed what was going to happen."

"'In my capacity as captain of the Black Obsidian, I officially announce that this expedition has come to a successful conclusion. The Black Obsidian is about to return to the Federation. We are going home. Thank you all for your cooperation along the way!'"

"At this moment, as soon as the words came out, the people of the entire Black Obsidian excitedly embraced each other."

"Even the soldiers on guard duty had tears in their eyes. After all kinds of hardships, they finally returned."

"'However, before returning home, according to the Federation's return regulations, the Black Obsidian will land at the Federation's new space station, Starbinder. The Black Obsidian will be maintained there, and all members of the Black Obsidian will be inspected. In addition, there is one more thing to inform you. We were ambushed by the Demun Empire this time, and an investigation revealed that there was a traitor within. For the sake of our dead comrades, the Federation will dispatch a special department to conduct the most stringent review of all members. I hope everyone will cooperate unconditionally.'"

"Hearing this, everyone was in an uproar."

"But soon after, everyone shouted, 'Support the investigation!'"

"..."

"Outside the GT Department's special medical room."

"Qian Chengxue stood quietly at the transparent observation window, looking at Su Mo who was in a coma."

"She had been here for half a month."

"She didn't react to the sudden broadcast, as if it had nothing to do with her."

"At this time, Lan Xi, who was in charge of daily care, saw that Qian Chengxue was still here, so she came over and persuaded, 'Officer Qian Chengxue, you don't actually have to stay here all the time. Su Mo's condition is still stable. If there are any abnormal situations, we will notify you as soon as possible.'"

"Qian Chengxue shook her head and replied coldly, 'I'll just watch from here.'"

"'Sigh.'"

"Lan Xi shook her head and didn't say anything more. Her eyes were filled with envy."

"In the starry sky, the dilapidated Black Obsidian slowly flew towards a simple, circular space station."

"The Starbinder space station was built by the Federation shortly after the Black Obsidian set off."

"However, due to funding and various restrictions, it looked relatively crude, a bit like a semi-finished product, like a bare concrete house."

"But from afar, it was still very spectacular."

"The entire base of the space station had a diameter of an astonishing five hundred kilometers, and could simultaneously accommodate up to ten Tier 4 ships."

"It was equipped with an artificial intelligence system, a gravity system, and a life support system."

"At this time, inside the space station, officers wearing pure black uniforms with a dark red cross emblem printed on their chests. Behind them were soldiers wearing black standard-issue Generation II mechanical armor."

"The staff inside the space station instinctively stayed far away when they saw this group of people."

"These officers and soldiers all came from another special organization of the Federation: the Heresy Tribunal!"

"The entire department was directly under the Federation Council and was not controlled by anyone else."

"In a sense, it was a bit similar to the Black and White Agency. However, this time there was a flaw in the Black Obsidian, and everyone was suspected, including the people of the Black and White Agency."

"Therefore, this investigation was carried out by the Heresy Tribunal."

"Not long after, accompanied by a huge humming sound."

"The Black Obsidian slowly entered the space station, gradually entering the port and finally landing smoothly."

"Soon the largest boarding entrance of the Black Obsidian opened."

"Vice Speaker Auglas led everyone down in person. At this time, a general with a face full of horizontal stripes, wearing an eye patch, and with extremely cold eyes, who was the head of the Heresy Tribunal, greeted him and extended his hand to Auglas."

"'Vice Speaker Auglas.'"

"'Kanisis, I didn't expect you to lead this review.'"

"Auglas raised his hand and shook it."

"Kanisis replied indifferently, 'Please Vice Speaker Auglas cooperate with me as much as possible, so as to find the traitor to the greatest extent and make him pay the price for his actions.'"

"'No problem.'"

"After Vice Speaker Auglas finished speaking, he directly took off his bracelet and handed it to Kanisis."