Yesterday, Part Two

"It should be a special fleet controlled by strategic Ascenders," someone beside them said softly. "A powerful Ascender can control a small fleet alone."

"Are there really that many of them?" someone questioned.

"Seventy percent of the Empire's elites have gathered here. Right now, the Wulan galaxy lacks anything but psionics. What do you think?"

"..." Illumination psionics, once somewhat rare in the galaxy, were as common here as cabbages, everywhere one looked.

"What about those without security clearance?" someone else asked.

"No one cares. They can fend for themselves."

"The Empire doesn't care? There are so many people, after all?"

"How many could there be? If a hundred thousand or so died in a place like this, it wouldn't even make a ripple.

Unless the number was in the millions, those above wouldn't care at all."

The undisguised conversations around them made Duoshali and her group's expressions grow increasingly unpleasant.

"Mom...!" The security clearance of a mother ahead of them had expired, while her six-year-old daughter happened to make it through the security gate during the final days before her own clearance expired.

Separated by the security gate, the daughter clutched a gray cloth bear and cried in terror all by herself.

Her mother kept comforting her, repeatedly reminding her to take good care of herself.

Several times, she tried to rush through, only to be ruthlessly stopped by the security Caster soldiers. All she could do was weep as she continued to comfort her daughter.

Then Saluto's group began entering the security gate.

Duoshali's heart immediately rose into her throat.

Soon, one, two, three.

The Lineage members passed the inspection one after another and were allowed through.

"Looks like there's no problem." As each member passed, Duoshali gradually relaxed.

Beep!!

All of a sudden, a string of piercing