Universe King

He opened his eyes.

The sky outside the window was still dark.

Reno sat up in bed and, in his dressing gown, went out onto the balcony.

Looking out into the distance, he could see a small, clear lake, with the soft moonlight sparkling on the surface. The wind rustled the small trees by the lake, and a pleasant fragrance wafted over.

The new federal government had long ago decreed that it was time to return some peace and nature to the planet. They moved most of the industrial areas, reduced the population density, and without the hustle and bustle of the big cities, the nights on Earth were quiet and peaceful, with beautiful scenery, like paradise on earth.

After completing his mission, because the Ablode needed major repairs, Renault was placed in a military-affiliated sanatorium, the San Juan Hill Sanatorium.

He would spend a leisurely holiday here until the completion of the Aphrodite or a new deployment.

Perhaps it was because he was used to the days of the rumble of artillery fire, but in the face of the quiet and peaceful night, Renault could not sleep. It felt like the calm before the storm.

Memories emerged like bubbles in water, rising up endlessly. The time when he first entered the academy, his first grudge with Matthew, and his first encounter with Claire...

Those were the days of youthful folly.

Once, he had the dream of commanding a starship and cruising through the galaxy.

Once, he was so close to his dream.

However, in the end, the dream became a bubble, and instead of becoming a victor, he became one of the eliminated members of the Al Law School.

Luck or accident, the ending was already destined.

God has given him a chance, and in this operation, he has gained the opportunity to command the starship. For Reno, this is already a chance to fulfil his dream.

When the dream is complete, and he returns to Earth with the starship, he feels that all his dreams have been fulfilled, and he has no regrets.

From now on, he can rest assured that he is a mecha pilot, and enjoy the fun of space battles.

Reno said to himself, with a smile on his face.

Pouring himself a glass of wine, he sat in a wicker chair on the balcony and looked quietly at the night sky in the distance.

It was dawn.

Reno then realised that, without realising it, he had spent the second half of the night just sitting there.

He was still full of energy. Back on the ship, he had spent 36 hours without sleep. He was not used to such peace and quiet.

He went to the bathroom to wash his face and shave off his sprouting beard. Looking at himself in the mirror, Renault muttered, 'Anyway, at least I've fulfilled a dream, haven't I? Life is worthwhile if you have dreams.'

The voice of the smart butler sounded at this time: "You have a visitor.'

Now?

Renault was stunned, but he said, "Put him through.'

The image in the mirror changed, and a man in a black suit and sunglasses stood in the doorway. He pressed his wrist against the door's identity scanner and said, 'Federal Fleet Investigation Bureau. Please see Captain Reynolds about something.'

The identity scanner scanned the identity chip implanted in the man's wrist and gave the name Reynolds: Russell Hill.

'Federal agents?' Reynolds was a little surprised. 'What do agents want with me?'

Russell Hill replied, 'You're mistaken, Captain Renault. The Federal Fleet Investigation Bureau is not the same as the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Although there are only two more characters, the former represents the federal fleet and is subordinate to the military department, while the latter represents the federal government. Our main responsibility is to investigate military security issues within the fleet. We are usually not called federal agents but starship investigators.'

'I see. But aren't there military police for internal affairs within the military department?' Renault asked as he slowly wiped his hands.

Russell Hill continued: 'The military police are responsible for disciplinary security, ensuring that all generals and troops remain loyal to the government and the constitution. The Federation Fleet Investigation Bureau is responsible for investigating the performance of captains during missions and raising questions. We are not crows. We may accuse a captain, but we may also commend him, depending on his performance, Captain Reynolds.'

'I see. That's strange. Why have I never heard of this department before?'

'That's because you weren't a captain before. You should know that there are six security departments in the fleet alone, not to mention the military police.'

'That's a lot. No wonder people say that bureaucracy is bloated.'

'Indeed. Later, the federal government tried to streamline some of the departments.'

'And?'

'Four security departments became six.'

'...'

'I say, are you sure you want to keep talking to me like this?' Hill shrugged.

Reynolds laughed: 'Just a moment.'

He finished freshening up, returned to the bedroom, straightened his collar, and then opened the door.

Agent Hill said, "Now I can come in?'

'Of course." Reynolds smiled and stepped aside: 'I must apologize for that behavior. My questions seemed to indicate that I didn't trust you.'

'I'm not angry.' Hill entered the bedroom: "It's human nature to be suspicious, and a healthy scepticism helps ensure safety. In fact, I'll be asking you some questions in a while, and I hope you won't mind.'

'No problem." Reno opened the wine cabinet and looked at Hill: 'Tsing Tao? Martin? Or truffle liqueur?'

'Thanks, I need to stay awake while I work.' Hill had found a seat and took out a pocket-watch-like device from his breast pocket. It was a portable holo-brain recorder. He switched it on and a beam of light projected in front of him. Hill was ready to record.

'That's a good habit.' Reno went to the balcony and sat down. 'So, what do you want to ask me?'

'How about starting with your military service? Before I came, I looked up your personal file. I noticed that you were drafted three years ago. Before that, you were... a mechanic?'

Hill asked as he retrieved the file from the PADD.

'Bergad Mechanic Factory, mecha repairman, mainly repairing security mecha for some private enterprises, and occasionally doing some modifications, although it's not quite legal, I guess fleet investigators aren't in charge of that.'

'It's Starfleet investigator,' Hill corrected. 'After joining the army, you first became an infantryman. Due to your outstanding performance in the three-month special training, you were appointed as the captain of the recruits and led them to achieve excellent results in the Béril simulation defence war. Soon after that, due to your outstanding driving talent, you were recommended to become a mech pilot and entered the fleet as a mech soldier on the Abrodie. During this period, your performance was rated as excellent. Six months later, your mech squad lost its squad leader in a battle with the Bugs, and you became the successor. Another year passed, and the commander of the mech brigade also died in battle, and you became the commander of the second brigade.

'Those were two fierce battles.'

'Maybe,' said Hill, shrugging. 'You must be admittedly a pretty hard worker, and it's definitely not easy to rise this far in just three years as an ordinary soldier. It shows that you're pretty capable and lucky.'

'Luck?' Reno was a little confused.

'Isn't it?' Hill spread his hands: 'In the Federation fleet, there is a minimum age requirement for every promotion, and you almost stepped on the line. When you had served for six months and could be promoted to squad leader, your squad leader died. When you had served for a year and a half and could be promoted to captain, your captain also died. When the Ablode lost its captain, the procedure for leading the starship by rank was activated, and all the officers above you in rank also died. Instead, you, the mech commander who charged into battle on the front lines, took over as captain unscathed and miraculously returned a ragged starship to Earth...'

'Don't you think you're really lucky?'