Planetfall

[Empire Log: Colonizable planet]

[The planet Amat Eiro II, discovered by our scientific exploration vessel in the Amaterro System, has been identified as a colonizable planet. This means our Empire can establish a colony there. At last, we will end twenty years of isolation and face the vibrant universe.]

[Xi Yan's remarks: A brand-new day is about to dawn for the Empire!]

Xi Yan had discovered the Empire Log feature quite some time ago. It was just like the text in the game's pop-up windows. He never tired of browsing through it, casually adding remarks that were thoroughly in the spirit of Stellaris.

Before long, he received a message from the Amaterro System, inviting him to remotely control a robot in a landing pod and land on the planet alongside the first wave of colonists from the Hyacinth counterattacking Amat Eiro II.

Far away in the Amaterro System, the first wave of colonists had already armed themselves, donned their armor, and readied their personal weapons. They boarded the landing craft in batches to await orders.

The officers responsible for the first landing operation reported up the chain of command, and Xi Yan received word in his office as well: the colonial landing operation could begin the moment the Marshal gave the order.

"Wait for me!"

Excited, Xi Yan grabbed his VR headset and controllers and connected to the robot standing by aboard the corvette.

He closed his eyes, then opened them, and found himself aboard a corvette dozens of light-years away.

Thanks to faster-than-light communications technology, there was no delay in Xi Yan's controls. He was essentially operating it in real time.

"Marshal, sir!"

As soon as Xi Yan opened his eyes, he saw the officers and colonists lined up, saluting him respectfully.

Their salute looked a little odd, though, as if he could hear that familiar voice of Berlin.

"Good! That's the spirit!" Xi Yan's voice rang out, strong and full of vigor. "You're all fine soldiers of the Empire. As its Marshal, I'm proud of you!"

"Thank you, Marshal!"

The soldiers and colonists were thrilled by the Marshal's encouragement.

Xi Yan noticed that the robot he was controlling wasn't the same kind as those aboard the Science Ship. Instead, it resembled a backpack. Just then, a petite female officer walked over and picked him up.

"Greetings, Marshal. I'm the commander of this landing operation, Ningdi Lingling."

"Huh?"

"Wait, what's your name?" Xi Yan jolted, as though he had just heard the name of an old acquaintance.

"Reporting, Marshal. My name is Ningdi Lingling."

The female officer looked a little puzzled, but still stated her name firmly.

"Are you sure it isn't Ayachi Nene?" Xi Yan scratched his head, thoroughly confused.

"N-no. Why would you say that?" Ningdi Lingling asked. Thinking Xi Yan hadn't heard her clearly, she repeated herself. "I'm Ningdi Lingling, the Army commander for this landing operation. I'm also responsible for the colonization of this planet."

Xi Yan took off his VR headset, then put it back on and carefully examined the flowing, naturally white hair beneath the female officer's cap.

She looked like her. She really did.

The resemblance was a solid nine out of ten!

"Is your surname Ningdi or Ning?" Xi Yan asked another question.

"Um... Marshal, my surname is Ning. General Ning Zhiyuan is my uncle," Ningdi Lingling said a little shyly.

Xi Yan paid no attention to the detail that Ning Zhiyuan had slipped a relative into the military. Instead, he turned to ask Ning Zhiyuan about it.

How could there possibly be such a coincidence?

{Ning Zhiyuan: ...First of all, Marshal, Lingling really is an excellent commander. I didn't deliberately put her in that position.}

{Xi Yan: [Dragon meme: Do you think I believe you?]}

{Ning Zhiyuan: Uh, that might have been part of the reason...}

{Xi Yan: Why that name? Did you name her?}

{Ning Zhiyuan: ...Yes. I figured it was already 2200, so it didn't matter what kind of name we gave her...}

{Ning Zhiyuan: Fine. Actually, I played an old dating sim when I was young...}

Xi Yan blinked and put his VR headset back on.

Mystery solved. He was a Yuzusoft fan from two hundred years in the future.

So gross! (Crossed out)

I'll always love Ayachi Nene! (Absolutely certain)

{Ning Zhiyuan: Let me explain. I really wasn't deliberately stuffing the military with my own people. Ningdi Lingling genuinely has the ability-}

{Xi Yan: No biggie. I believe you.}

Far away at the spaceport, Ning Zhiyuan teared up when he saw that.

Trust those you employ, and don't employ those you doubt. That was Marshal Xi Yan!

Meanwhile, Ningdi Lingling lifted the robot Xi Yan was controlling and strapped it onto her back, explaining, "Marshal, this robot can't walk, but it carries advanced weapons and various smart modules. You can have anyone carry you on their back."

"That's fine. That's exactly what I wanted!"

Xi Yan sounded delighted.

"I'm glad you understand." Ningdi Lingling sighed and set Xi Yan down again. "Please wait a moment, Marshal. I still need to conduct the final checks."

"Go ahead. Good luck," Xi Yan replied casually.

Just like a top-tier soldier who always made a trip to the john before launching team shooters like Battlefield or Call of Duty, making sure he could enter the fight in peak condition.

Xi Yan did the same. He ran off to the john to relieve himself, then returned brimming with energy, put his VR gear back on, and picked up his controllers.

When he came back to his senses, he discovered that he was already strapped to the back of a burly colonist.

Seeing Xi Yan come online, the commander-in-chief, Ningdi Lingling, greeted him and asked when they should begin the operation.

"Right now!"

Xi Yan announced loudly. His voice crossed dozens of light-years and reached everyone aboard the ship with perfect clarity.

"Move out! Take this planet!"

"Drive these vile alien species out of humanity's future home!"