"Are you willing to accept this long and arduous mission, to devote your life to the Marshal's great cause and the prosperity of the Empire?"
Before his departure, his superior had personally asked him this beside his ship.
"Yes! I accept this mission!"
"Even if it costs you your life?"
"For the Marshal, there is nothing I cannot sacrifice! I am ready to give my life for him at any moment!"
"Excellent. Now, go and do what must be done!"
"The Empire will always stand behind you, and the Marshal will always be with you."
His superior had personally closed the ship's hatch for them, then watched it depart.
Krauk gazed into the pitch-black night sky, recalling the oath he had sworn back then, and a gentle smile came to his face.
His ship had left the border half a year ago. It had now passed through several unclaimed star systems and would soon enter a system controlled by the M'tok Union.
"Hey, Krauk, do you think we'll make it back alive?"
One of the agents traveling aboard the ship asked casually.
"I'd say our chances are one in ten."
Krauk shook his head with a smile. There was no fear on his face, only satisfaction.
"Even dying would be worth it if we could serve the Marshal faithfully."
These agents had already put life and death out of their minds. Their sole purpose in living was to serve as the Marshal's eyes and ears, embedding themselves deep within alien societies.
For the Empire and the Marshal!
"Don't think about that. Just do what needs doing." Krauk shook his head again, his expression turning solemn once more.
"We have a very demanding mission."
"We're here!"
After leaving the Hyperlane and flying through the star system for several more days, they