Open your eyes.

The sky outside the window was still dark.

Renault sat up from the bed and put on his pajamas and went out onto the balcony.

Looking down from here, you can see a small lake with soft moonlight shining on the lake's surface. The wind blows, bringing up the small trees by the lake, and there is a refreshing fragrance.

The new federal government has long stipulated that the earth should be restored to peace and nature, they have moved most of the industrial areas, reduced the population density, there is no noise and noise of big cities, and the night of the earth is quiet and peaceful, and the scenery is beautiful, like a paradise on earth.

After completing the mission, Renault was placed in a sanatorium affiliated with the military, the San Juan Mountain Sanatorium, because the Abrody was in need of major repairs.

Until the Abrody is finished, or a new assignment arrives, he will spend a leisurely vacation here.

Perhaps accustomed to the days of roaring artillery fire, Renault couldn't sleep in the face of a peaceful night, feeling as if it was calm before a storm.

Memories are like bubbles in the water, constantly popping up, and the time when I first entered the academy, the first grudge with Matthew, and the first acquaintance with Claire come to mind......

The days of youth and frivolity.

Once, I also had the dream of commanding a starship and swimming in the galaxy.

Once, I was so close to my dream.

However, in the end, his dream came to naught, and instead of becoming a winner, he became one of the eliminated members of Alpha Academy.

Whether it's luck or an accident, the ending is already doomed.

Heaven gave him a chance, and in this operation, he was given the opportunity to command the starship, and for Renault, this was already a dream come true.

When his dream was completed and he returned to Earth with the starship, he felt that all his dreams had been completed and he had no regrets in his heart.

From now on, be a mech pilot with peace of mind and enjoy the fun of space fighting.

Renault said to himself, a small smile on his face.

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

It's dawn.

Only then did Renaud realize that before he knew it, he had spent the second half of the night sitting like this.

The spirit is still strong, and there have been thirty-six hours of no sleep on the ship, and I am not used to being as comfortable as I am now.

After going to the bathroom and washing his face, shaving off his newborn beard, and looking at himself in the mirror, Renault muttered, "Anyway, at least one dream came true, didn't it?" There are dreams in life, and it is worth the trip. ”

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

Right now?

Renault snapped, but he said, "Take it." ”

A man in a black suit and sunglasses stood in the doorway, pressed his wrist against the door ID scanner and said, "Federal Fleet Investigation Bureau, please see Captain Renault if you have something." ”

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

"Federal agents?" Renault was a little strange: "What did the agent come to me for?" ”

Russell Hill replied: "You misunderstood, Captain Reynolds, the Federal Fleet Investigation Bureau is not the same as the Federal Bureau of Investigation, although it is only two more words, but the former represents the Federal Fleet, which is subordinate to the Ministry of War, and the latter represents the federal government. Our main duty is to investigate military security issues within the fleet. We are not usually referred to as federal agents, but as starship investigators. ”

"I see, but isn't there a gendarme in the internal affairs of the military department?" Renault asked unhurriedly, wiping his hands.

Russell Hill continued: "The gendarmerie is responsible for discipline and security, and for ensuring that all generals and the military are loyal to the government and to the Constitution; The Federal Fleet Investigation Bureau is responsible for investigating the behavior of the captain during his mission and asking questions. We are not crows, we may accuse a certain captain, but we may also commend him, depending on the performance, Captain Renault. ”

"I see. It's strange, why have I never heard of this department before? ”

"That's because you weren't a captain before. It is important to know that there are six security services on the side of the fleet alone, and not only the gendarmerie. ”

"That's a lot, no wonder people always say the bureaucracy is bloated."

"It's true, and then the federal government tried to streamline some of the agencies."

"And then?"

"Four security departments became six."

“……”

"I said, are you sure you want to talk to me like this all the time?" Hill spreads his hands.

Renault smiled: "Please wait a moment. ”

He freshened up, went back to the bedroom, straightened his collar, and pulled the door open.

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

"Of course." Renaud smiled and stepped aside: "I have to apologize for what I did just now, my question shows that I have some distrust of you." ”

"I'm not angry." Hill enters the bedroom: "It's in everyone's nature to be skeptical, and a good skepticism is good for safety. In fact, I'll ask you some questions in a moment, and I hope you won't mind then. ”

"No problem." Renaud opened the wine cabinet and looked at Ciel: "Thisny?" Martin? Or truffle fruit wine? ”

"Thanks, I need to be awake while I'm working." Hill had found a place to sit down, and he pulled out a pocket watch-style device from his bosom, a portable photo-brain recorder. Turn on the Optical Brain Recorder, and a beam of light is projected in front of Hill, who is ready to record.

"It's a good habit." Renaud came to the balcony and sat down: "So, what do you want to ask me?" ”

"How about starting with your military experience? Before coming, I investigated your profile. I noticed that you were drafted into the army three years ago, and before that you were ...... A mechanic? ”

Hill asked as he retrieved the file from his light brain.

"Belgard Mechanics, mech repairers, mainly repair those security mechs for some private companies, and occasionally do some modifications, although not very legal, but I guess the fleet investigators are not responsible for this."

"It's a starship investigator." Hill corrected: "After joining the army, you first became an infantryman, and because of your outstanding performance in the three-month special training, you were appointed as the captain of the recruits, and led them to excellent results in the simulated defensive battle of the Bogeley. Soon after, due to your excellent piloting talent, you were recommended to join the fleet as a mechpilot and become a mechman aboard the Abrody. During this time, your performance was rated excellent. Half a year later, your mech team lost its leader in a battle with the Zerg, and you became the successor leader. Another year passed, and the captain of the mecha team also died, and you became the captain of the second team. ”

"It was two terrible battles."

"Maybe." Hill shrugged: "I must admit that you are a very diligent and studious person, it is definitely not easy to get to this point in just three years as an ordinary soldier, it proves from the side that your ability and luck are good." ”

"Luck?" Renault was a little confused.

"Isn't it?" Hill spread his hands: "In the Federation Fleet, there is a minimum number of years for every promotion, and you almost stepped on this standard line. When you can be promoted to squad leader after half a year of service, your squad leader is dead. When you have served for a year and a half and can be promoted to captain, your captain is also dead. When the Abrody loses its captain and initiates the process of leading the starship by rank, all the officers above you also die. Instead, you, the mech commander who charged at the front line of the battle, took over unscathed and miraculously drove a tattered starship back to Earth......"

"Don't you think your luck is really good?"