Chapter 105: Filming Wrapped Up. "The moment those two stood there, the atmosphere was undeniably tragic..."

At 7:00 AM, the core fleet of the Light Wheel—the S Fleet—entered the battlefield, immediately reversing the tide of battle. The S Fleet immediately used long-range scorching lasers, which the Federation fleet's armor could not defend against, quickly paralyzing it. Combined with the area-of-effect damage of the plasma cannons, it swiftly tore open a breach.

Commander A was indeed stationed in Lightport. After S arrived, she did not actively engage in battle; instead, she became even more cautious in her battle arrangements, creating a virtually impenetrable defensive network. S stared at the dynamic map of positions on the screen with bloodshot eyes, gradually realizing that A was organizing an even larger encirclement.

He's fallen into a trap! A actually used herself as bait. Just how many fleets did she have lurking on the outskirts?

However, the S Fleet's arrogant style remained unchanged, as the "Pluto" had also arrived with them, and this unassuming warship was ready to make its debut. The Pluto was not equipped with any personnel; technicians stood at the control panel, preparing to activate the second-generation consciousness stripping weapon, officially known as the "Remote Directed Consciousness Ablation Particle Beam."

Biologists at Light Wheel have discovered that they can upgrade the brainwaves used to strip the consciousness of first-generation zombie soldiers. By analyzing the target's brainwave characteristics, they can customize ultra-long-range neural microwaves. This particle beam can resonate with the bioelectricity in the target's brain, suppressing their self-awareness. If this continues for more than an hour, it can completely strip their consciousness, turning them into a dazed biological weapon like the first-generation zombie soldiers.

The advance fleet relayed the target location, and S gave the order: "Launch the directed particle beam!"

Without warning, the Federation's senior military officers collectively shuddered. On the flagship, Commander A's eyes glazed over, and a group of people surged up behind her, knocking her down with a karate chop and carefully carrying her into the medical bay.

All other senior officers received the same treatment. Just as the Federation fleet was bewildered by the loss of command, an unfamiliar voice rang out on the channel: "From this moment on, I will take over the battlefield."

Commander A's commands are transmitted synchronously.

When people saw Lin Nan's name, they were half shocked and half skeptical.

Lin Nan sat upright in the Star River and issued orders in an orderly manner: "All fleets shall retreat in an orderly manner. The Dragon Warrior, Star Radiance, and Rock Mountain fleets shall be responsible for covering the rear and holding their positions after returning to space orbit. The Delta, Gamma, Omega, and Omega legions shall activate stealth and lie in ambush outside the space station and satellite."

"Dragon King, are you ready?" After issuing all the instructions to the Federation army, Lin Nan suddenly mentioned an unofficial warship.

The federal troops were initially confused, but soon a new communication came through the military channel: "Testing... Can you hear me?"

An officer exclaimed in alarm, "That sounds like the voice of that wanted criminal, You Long!"

Yu Long couldn't hear him, and even if he did, he wouldn't pay attention: "The Dragon King is ready."

"OK, the Alpha Legion will serve as the advance team, and the Dragon King Pirate Crew will be responsible for logistics and maintenance. Prepare to depart."

"Does the commander even know what she's saying?!" The Federation officers were stunned and began to break down: "Sending a missing traitor's legion and a pirate crew as the vanguard?!"

The Dragon King was You Long's ship at the time. Although the pirates were eager to try their luck, Lin Nan did not assign them any missions that might result in casualties.

The Dragon King received a separate call from the Silver Star, sent by the White Galaxy: "Madam Scientist, we need to prepare to depart."

The Alpha Legion, protecting the Dragon King and Silver Star, advanced instead of retreating towards the dark mass of enemy troops.

As they passed by the retreating fleet, every officer in the Alpha Legion straightened their backs unconsciously, their hearts filled with the pride of finally achieving great success after enduring humiliation.

"What are they trying to do?" The retreating Federation fleet was baffled, and questions rose one after another: "They were rebels to begin with, who are they trying to fool with this? Are they just rushing to their deaths and they're even proud of it?!"

As morale began to waver, Lin Nan coldly and ruthlessly continued to issue orders—the supervisory team should advance, and those who disobeyed would be executed.

At the same time, all fleets were ordered to prepare for a counterattack.

The Light Wheel Fleet was initially surprised, but when they discovered that the enemy only had one legion, they immediately burst into laughter. Lin Nan smiled under their gazes and issued the most terrifying order of this battle: "Silver Star, fire your weapons."

After two seconds of silence, space twisted explosively, tearing apart and disintegrating all the warships in its path into dust. Those further away began to deform and then decomposed under the terrifying stress. At that moment, all eyes in the universe were on the warship called the Silver Star, its hull etched with countless stars, beautiful and mysterious.

Lin Nan made a decisive decision: "Federal Fleet, follow the Alpha Legion and launch a counterattack!"

The Silver Star continued to advance, seemingly intending to launch another terrifying attack like the one just had.

The entire S fleet was torn open, revealing Commander S's vehicle and the unassuming Hades.

"Abnormal signal wave detected, lock onto that warship!" Yu Long marked the Neptune: "Alpha fleet, follow me and attack!"

At the critical moment, Commander S, who had been successfully brainwashed, failed to issue any effective instructions.

The Dragon King charged forward, spewing flames, and once within range, Yulong began firing his railguns wildly. Countless firepower was aimed at the target, instantly turning the Hades into a sieve.

"Next target, Commander S of the Light Wheel Space Force!" Yu Long shouted hoarsely, "Suicide Squad, charge!"

The Alpha Legion charged forward fearlessly, tearing apart the last line of defense.

As Commander S's warship split in two, the will of all the Light Wheel Space Force members crumbled, and they began to turn and flee.

The pursuers surged forward, covering the entire rotor.

"Stop them from jumping," Lin Nan said to the fleet he had previously sent out to hide near the space station, then prepared to hand over command.

Commander A, having regained his senses, stepped out of the medical pod and placed a hand on her shoulder: "You continue commanding."

Lin Nan glanced at her for a second: "Yes."

＊

The climax has passed, the movie is nearing its end, and filming is getting closer to wrapping up.

Qin Lan remembered that Jiang Yan was in a particularly low mood when filming wrapped up for the last time, "The Era of Red Powder". So this time she was extra vigilant and observed carefully. Unexpectedly, Jiang Yan was in a good mood and even had a sense of relief.

Qin Lan was confused: "It's the same story, but why do you seem to be in a better mood this time?"

Jiang Yan smiled and glanced at her: "Don't you feel that way? Anyway, I feel that my character is too tragic. I feel powerless to bear it and I hope it ends soon."

Qin Lan nodded and then shook her head: "My way of getting into character is different from yours; I don't have that strong empathy."

“There are other reasons too.” Jiang Yan glanced at her again, her tone light and cheerful: “You performed even better this time than last time, which makes me full of hope for the future.”

Qin Lan's eyes lit up, and she couldn't help but look smug. From then until the end of filming, everyone could see her strutting around like a peacock with its tail feathers spread, practically wearing "successful courtship" on her face. This made Xue Wumi repeatedly confirm with her, "You two really didn't get together?"

"Really not." Qin Lan's tone was extremely light: "Why is Director Xue asking this? Do you also know that Teacher Jiang said she wants to have a future with me?"

Xue Wumi: "…………"

"Get out of position."

With so many people and eyes on Xue Wumi's crew, rumors have been circulating that Qin Lan and Jiang Yan have reconciled, and the Qin-Jiang supertopic, which was recently broken up with Xue Wumi, has been swept up in a remarriage craze.

Next, we filmed several solo scenes.

After the Battle of Lantern Harbor, the Light Wheel Space Force withdrew in an orderly manner, and the war ended.

The Speaker of the Federal Parliament, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Minister of Justice, and many other heads of government were forced to resign, one by one after being arrested and imprisoned. Military court cases were scheduled for two years later, and too many things awaited reform...

The mascot president wants to temporarily appoint Commander A as acting speaker. A accepts the task, but is more aware of her own fate. Therefore, she hopes to do her best to reform and promote talented people to prolong the life of the Federation.

Dozens of departments are leaderless, and every day they come to A's office to ask when a new leader will be assigned to them. Soldiers who have made meritorious contributions are waiting for promotion, damaged facilities are waiting for repair, diplomacy with Guanglun also needs to be handled carefully, and hundreds of thousands of zombie soldiers who cannot be restored to normal are also a problem.

A was so busy that he didn't have time to award medals to the meritorious soldiers until three months later.

Colonel Lin Nan and Lieutenant You Long transformed overnight from traitors into loyal and brave soldiers, their doorsteps practically worn down by the crowds.

Colonel Lin Nan was promoted two ranks to lieutenant general for his outstanding contributions in this war.

Second Lieutenant Yutaki was also promoted to captain due to his outstanding performance.

The next day, dressed in her brand-new captain's uniform, she submitted her discharge application and related documents.

After review, Captain You Long was diagnosed with a level two mental disability, meeting the discharge criteria, and was permitted to retire.

Stepping aboard the Star River again, Yu Long felt a strange sense of unfamiliarity.

Lin Zhongjiang brewed the coffee and walked to the chair she often sat in by the porthole: "Sit."

"I've resigned," You Long said bluntly.

Lin Nan nodded: "I saw your report."

After a moment of silence, Lin Nan, who was already a lieutenant general, asked, "What did the doctor say?"

You Long shook his head and then nodded: "Level 2 mental disability, I guess it's incurable. There's a kind of stimulation therapy, but the risk of amnesia is very high, and it's not good for the brain either. I don't plan to get treatment, I can live like this."

Lin Nan was silent for a moment: "Okay."

They both looked out the porthole, where the starry sky was being rebuilt.

Spacecraft were constantly arriving and departing outside the space station, and life was bustling. A was undoubtedly a decisive and efficient speaker, probably knowing that he wouldn't stay in this position for long, so he decided to take advantage of his time to strike hard. Funding shortage? Impossible, they just raided the Attorney General's house yesterday. Talent shortage? Go take a stroll around the university gates. Resource shortage? The Nimbus reparations have been paid to many planets; they can develop them whenever they have free time.

"The Minister of Science and Technology has come to me many times, hoping I can persuade you to take a position with her." Lin Nan slowly began, "With the Commander's support, consciousness technology will no longer develop in a dangerous direction. If you are willing to go, you will definitely make great progress, and one day... perhaps you can help restore it."

She thought for a moment, then added, "Even if you're no longer with the Space Force, you're still a citizen of the Federation, and you'll always be welcome here. I'll still be here if you wish."

Yu Long remained silent.

The lieutenant general said, "...You know what I mean, right?"

Yu Long thought for a moment, then smiled tactfully: "I think I'll pass. I want to go to space."

...

"Alright."

Lin Nan felt a sense of relief; the obsession she had held onto over time slowly dissipated at this moment: "Then, are we still friends?"

Yu Long nodded: "Mm."

The lieutenant general thought it was just an interjection with little practical meaning.

"Well then, goodbye." Lin Nan stood up, hesitated for a moment, and awkwardly extended her hand.

“…Goodbye,” Yu Longye said, shaking her hand.

The moment she turned around, her hair fluttered under the spotlight, and in a daze, Lin Nan seemed to see the person she was so deeply obsessed with again.

Back then, Yu Long was still a bright and cheerful young man.

Anytime, anywhere, if you need me, your former lover will come to you again.

You Long left the Star River and entered the coordinates sent by Bai Yinhe.

She wanted to see deep space and the stars.

Perhaps she will find her lost feelings over time.

During the journey, the spacecraft refueled on a certain planet. She stood at the spaceport, gazing in the direction of the Federation.

There was a space force, a military academy, and her former lover there.

Each one is filled with her past.

She gazed at that spot, her expression slightly melancholy.

With the fuel tank full, she entered the cockpit and set off again.

The story seems unfinished. But in fact, it is already finished.

The camera zooms out, the spacecraft carrying Yulong disappearing into the millions of stars. The former lovers have a brief reunion before returning to their respective lives.

Looking back, Xinghai is still being rebuilt.

In contrast are hundreds of thousands of zombie soldiers who will never regain their consciousness, and Yutaka who has lost all emotion.

This is an irreversible alienation, an inevitable result of the continuous development of modern technology. Human nature is always complex, causing different impacts at different historical stages. In primitive societies, they threw stones at each other; in feudal societies, they began to cultivate scheming and intrigue; after the steam revolution, world wars broke out; and in the information age, they unleashed a frenzy of cyberbullying.

In the Age of Stars, they began to study how to control others using more advanced and stealthy methods.

Each time human revelry expands in scope, has a greater impact, and causes more harm than the last.

We can only be thankful that human civilization possesses virtues and nobility that stand in contrast to evil; it is these positive forces that have repeatedly corrected civilization's deviations. As long as humanity lives, these two forces will continue to intertwine, and as long as we reach out, there is still hope that can converge at our fingertips.

"The struggle between human sin and human virtue will inevitably result in countless sacrifices, whichever side wins." Bai Yinhe handed You Long a cup of coffee: "This is why interstellar travelers are unwilling to get involved in human social affairs. Now you must understand."

Yu Long took a sip and replied, seemingly unrelated to the question, "I always felt that the one Lin Zhongjiang ground tasted better."

Bai Yinhe raised his eyebrows: "If you help me crack the black hole engine, I'll tell you my story with the stars."

Yu Long turned her expressionless face, which she had maintained ever since she became mentally disabled: "Nobody wants to listen to this, okay..."

＊

In the distant South Island, Song Man paced anxiously back and forth in the corridor.

Seeing the doctor come out, she rushed over to him: "Doctor, how is she?"

"This is the fifth time, isn't it?" The doctor shook his head heavily. "Refractory right heart failure. She should absolutely avoid any activity now; even the slightest movement could cause sudden death. Remember to limit fluid intake; the patient's edema is still worsening. We will continue to give her cardiac stimulants and diuretics. Also, make sure to keep her oxygen supply on. If she's in severe pain, ring the call button, and we'll come and administer morphine..."

"I'm asking about the extent of her illness!" Song Man asked anxiously and unwillingly, "I don't want to know what she can or can't do right now!"

The doctor lowered his head sadly: "I'm sorry, but our treatment goal must shift from prolonging the patient's life to alleviating their suffering..."

"Lung transplant..."

Before Song Man could finish speaking, the doctor shook his head again.

"Two weeks ago, her health condition became unsuitable for surgery. Ms. Song, please remain calm; the patient needs your help now..."

Song Man clenched her fists, her mind buzzing as she walked back.

Two weeks ago, the doctor announced that she had missed the surgery window, and she already knew the outcome when a matching lung transplant still hadn't been found. She knew crying and panicking were useless; she had always been strong-willed.

But today she felt extremely anxious.

She pushed open the door, forced a smile, and quietly went inside.

Yun Chui sat in his wheelchair, drowsy.

She was allowed to leave the chair; anyone else's legs would have gone numb long ago. However, she was now severely swollen and felt almost completely numb.

"I... look terrible, don't I?" Yun Chui opened his eyes and forced a smile.

Late-stage IPAH patients have purplish skin, generalized edema, pleural and abdominal effusions, and are emaciated due to long-term malnutrition, bearing no resemblance whatsoever to the elegant and dignified dancer of the past.

She was so distressed that she couldn't even finish a sentence, and the severe lack of oxygen also slowed her thoughts.

“She’s still my girlfriend, even if she’s not pretty. I don’t mind at all.” Song Man’s voice was hard, as if she were fighting against something.

She knelt down in front of the wheelchair: "Do you have any wishes? If you want to see the stars, I'll pluck them down for you."

It's cruel to say this, but she desperately wanted Yun Chui to leave without regrets.

Yun Chui smiled again: "Let's... jump again... one last time..."

Her face turned purple, and it took her a while to finish the sentence: "One dance."

Song Man was taken aback: "This won't work, you can't move right now..."

"Just like that," Yun Chui pleaded, looking at her. "Please."

Song Man's eyes instantly turned red. But Yun Chui smiled faintly, and she didn't know where the strength came from, but she gracefully raised her arm.

Song Man involuntarily reached out and let her bluish-purple lips kiss her fingers.

She took a step, gently grasped Yun Chui's fingertips, and spun her wheelchair, making her clothes flutter.

＊

The wrap party was quite lavish, and Xue Wumi seemed to want to invite the entire entertainment industry to attend.

The hall was filled with the clinking of glasses as investors and producers toasted each other, wishing "Star Spy" a box office smash.

Many investors and directors came, along with numerous agents who brought their stars to visit. Xue Wumi welcomed everyone; though people came to her to discuss business, she wouldn't offer free services or give speeches on stage.

First, he praised his own work and welcomed everyone to the upcoming premiere. Then, he lauded the actors he admired—"To be honest, at first I thought Xiao Qin and Xiao Jiang were just pretty faces, after all, it's the era of 'traffic stars' these days. But on the day of the audition, they gave me a big surprise; the two of them just stood there and their charisma was undeniable..."

The audience murmured amongst themselves, wanting to laugh but holding back.

Jiang Yan silently raised her wine glass slightly, trying to cover her face.

Qin Lan stood seven or eight steps away, being led by Bai Ai to socialize with investors, while eight hundred pairs of eyes were watching her.

Jiang Yan blushed furiously, wishing she could disappear on the spot.

Finally, Xue Wumi stopped commenting on their combined performance and began critiquing their individual acting: "First, there's Teacher Qin. I won't say much about her looks; among young actresses, only Jiang Yan can rival her. Qin's delivery of lines is excellent, clear, powerful, and resonant. She must have acted in plays before, right? Then there's her martial arts. Our martial arts instructor is practically out of a job... Any director with a martial arts role in their new film should definitely consider her first. Qin has been criticized for her romantic scenes before, and I've seen her idol dramas—they were absolutely awful... But now I want to personally prove to Qin that she's fully capable of handling all kinds of romantic scenes. Directors, please stop judging her with prejudice. We'll see you at the premiere if you don't believe me."

Qin Lan herself didn't react much, but Bai Ai seemed to be about to burst into flames.

She excitedly grabbed Qin Lan's arm: "Oh my god, what did I just hear? Internationally renowned director Xue Wumi is praising you! Oh my god, now you don't have to worry about transitioning into the film industry at all. Xue Wumi's word is a guarantee of quality. Qin, you've really made me proud..."

Qin Lan patted her on the shoulder: "Calm down, calm down, hey, it looks like there are about twenty directors driving towards you over there..."

Bai Ai's eyes lit up as she went to greet him.

At midnight, the party finally ended, and Qin Lan came out of the bathroom and slowly turned on the tap.

Xiaoqing walked over, holding her handbag: "Sis, your phone rang."

Qin Lan checked her makeup in the mirror: "Who is it?"

Xiaoqing: "Sister Song Man."

Qin Lan paused for a moment, then her upturned smile slowly faded. She quickly washed her hands and answered the phone: "Hello?"

Song Man simply said, "Come and see Yun Chui, and please inform everyone for me."

Qin Lan strode out and bumped into Jiang Yan. Wang Zihan was chatting happily with her and several directors, but Qin Lan ignored them and walked over to her, whispering, "Come with me."

Wang Zihan gave her a strange look.

Qin Lan ignored her and lowered her voice: "Song Man called."

Jiang Yan's expression changed drastically: "Is it—"

Qin Lan led her outside, while Xiao Qing went to prepare the car: "She didn't say, but we'll each call Yu Buguai and Yang Xingji later."

————————

Another book is coming to an end... A sense of melancholy washes over me.

My life is also nearing the end of a phase, and all sorts of good and bad things are emerging. Amidst the chaos, I've met all kinds of people, some leaving after a quick nod, and some staying.

Thank you to everyone who stayed; each and every one of you is special.