Infinite Stream Metaverse

Chapter 787 The Death of a Sergeant
Today is a day off.

Fu Qinghai and his Blade Squad changed into civilian clothes and agreed to go for a stroll in the city outside the military base.

After the six men left the base, they walked along the edge of the road, through the woods, and arrived at the outskirts of the city. Although they were all dressed in civilian clothes, Fu Qinghai still made sure that all the team members carried sidearms as a precaution.

This was the first time the members of Blade Team had come into close contact with the planet they were serving on. Before, they had only been able to fly high above the planet in TIE fighters. Everyone was curious about everything around them and kept looking around.

Overall, Sereno gives the impression of being a poor and backward city with a long history.

Unlike Coruscant, which boasts towering skyscrapers and a constant flow of traffic, Sereno's buildings are relatively low-rise and generally have a classical style. The city also preserves many ancient historical buildings.

Although the flames of the Clone Wars had not truly reached this place, a sense of desolation and ruin permeated the city of Sereno. Eli Nelli had previously told Fu Qinghai that this was due to Count Dooku's exploitation and oppression.

The Galactic Empire has been established for nine years, and it still hasn't broken free from Count Dooku's exploitation and oppression?
Fu Qinghai harbored this question in his mind.

However, none of this concerns the Blade Team.

Five young cadets, fresh out of military academy, each holding a bottle of local alcoholic beverage, strolled aimlessly through the exotic city streets. They chatted and drank, and wandered around until they came to what looked like a trade market. There, they sampled some local snacks and bought some interesting souvenirs and trinkets.

Fu Qinghai also accompanied Ailovin to try on several clothes at a clothing store. Ailovin eventually bought a gray knitted scarf and a navy blue wool trench coat, which she put on on the spot.

After the six of them finished browsing the market and eating and drinking their fill, they prepared to return to the military base. As they passed through a dimly lit alley next to the market, they suddenly heard a suffocated female scream.

"Ah! No, help—uh!"

Fu Qinghai and his group turned their heads and saw several Imperial Army soldiers dressed in black and wearing black helmets dragging two girls dressed in local clothing into the alley.

The members of the Blade Squad were stunned.

Fu Qinghai frowned and was about to walk into the alley when his teammate grabbed him.

"Boss."

The boy whispered a reminder:

"We've only been on Sereno for a short time, so... maybe we should be cautious and notify the military police first?"

"It's too late. By the time the military police arrive from the base, these guys will have already finished their business. Besides... knowing them as I do, the military police might not even come."

Fu Qinghai shook his head and rejected the idea.

“I once overheard soldiers at the base chatting and bragging, and this is very likely not the first time this has happened.”

Another boy said in a low voice.

Fu Qinghai knew what the team members were worried about. After all, they were newcomers and were afraid that if they rashly intervened in these matters, they would be ostracized and isolated by the other soldiers in the base.

"You guys wait for me outside."

Fu Qinghai waved his hand and gave the order.

After saying that, he turned and walked into the alley.

Elwin followed without saying a word, his face grim.

Seeing this, the other four squad members had no choice but to follow. The six of them quickly walked into the winding and dimly lit alley. Fu Qinghai walked in front. The further they went, the louder the sounds of beatings, struggles, and insults became. Fu Qinghai calmly drew his sidearm, raised the pistol, and turned the corner.

When he saw what was happening in the alley.

Fu Qinghai slowly lowered the gun in his hand.

The other five members of the Blade Squad, holding pistols, followed Fu Qinghai around the corner. When they saw what was happening before them, they stopped in their tracks and lowered their guns.

It was exactly as they had imagined.

Deep in the alley was a dead end, where six Imperial Army soldiers wearing black helmets and black robes were dragging two girls dressed in local civilian clothes while cursing and swearing.

"Shut the fuck up!"

An army sergeant knelt on the ground, pinning the girl down. He covered her mouth with one hand and punched her hard in the cheek with the other, making her head tilt to the side. He cursed viciously as he spoke.

"Can't you call me after I come in?"

He took off his helmet and threw it aside. His reddish-brown hair was soaked with sweat and looked messy, with a thick, unruly beard around his cheek.

Several other army soldiers were also busy holding down the two girls' kicking legs. Some were holding down their hands, some were holding down their feet, some were busy taking off their clothes, and one was looking down and unbuckling his belt, already impatiently starting to take off his pants.

Only then did the leading army sergeant realize that someone was behind him. He suddenly grabbed the blaster pistol from the ground, raised the muzzle, and pointed it at the six people standing behind the corner of the alley.

"who are you!?"

He saw that the Blade Squad members were also holding blaster pistols, and he immediately tensed up. Several army soldiers next to him also quickly picked up their weapons and aimed them in this direction.

"calm."

Fu Qinghai raised one hand and said:

Who is your superior?

"I'm fucking asking who you are! Why are you asking me?"

Upon hearing this, the brown-bearded sergeant's eyes widened. He stood up from the ground, holding his gun in one hand, and began to curse.

"Do not you know me?"

Fu Qinghai asked with some doubt.

"I know your mother..."

The sergeant with the reddish-brown beard was about to continue his tirade when he suddenly remembered something. He squinted and stared intently at Fu Qinghai's face, then said with some uncertainty:
"You're... that pilot from Calida Military Academy? The guy who captured an entire frigate by himself?"

Fu Qinghai nodded and said calmly:
"I'll ask you one more time, who is your superior?"

The brown-bearded sergeant's face was grim and his expression was furrowed. He lowered his gun, raised one hand and pressed it down, and the army soldiers next to him also lowered their guns. The tense atmosphere in the alleyway eased slightly.

“You are neither my superior nor a military policeman. You are not even wearing uniforms. We are currently interrogating two civilians who are suspected of supporting separatist remnants. This has nothing to do with you. I advise you not to meddle.”

The brown-bearded sergeant slowly began to speak, taking off his black leather gloves as he spoke and forcefully shoving them into the mouth of a young girl. The girl, whose hands and feet were shackled, could only make "woo-woo" sounds, struggling with tears in her eyes.

Fu Qinghai smirked, too lazy to argue with this person, and tilted his head towards the outside of the alley, indicating that he was saying:

"Release them both."

The sergeant with the reddish-brown beard stared intently at Fu Qinghai, sniffed hard, his red, bulbous nose twitching, but he neither spoke nor let go of the two girls.

His army soldiers looked at each other, their faces showing hesitation, a mix of panic and confusion.

"I'll say it again, let them go!"

Fu Qinghai gave the order somewhat impatiently.

The brown-bearded sergeant and his five soldiers suddenly felt a powerful aura pressing down on them, as if it were rushing towards them. They subconsciously swallowed, not daring to look Fu Qinghai in the eye. They lowered their heads and unlocked the handcuffs and shackles on the two girls' hands and feet, letting them scramble to their feet and run away.

The two girls didn't dare to linger. Holding their torn clothes to their chests, they cried as they passed through the six members of the Blade Squad and ran towards the alley exit without looking back.

The army soldiers remained frozen in place, afraid to move.

Fu Qinghai turned around and left without hesitation.

……

The Blade Squad emerged from the dark alleyway.

Standing on the edge of the city street, Fu Qinghai waved for his team members to gather around and form a circle. He put his arms around the boys on either side of him, his sharp gaze sweeping over each face, and said in a serious, deep voice:

“What I want to tell you is that you were wrong, terribly wrong! We don’t need to care at all about how the soldiers or officers in this military base view us. We don’t have to get along with them or integrate into their society, understand? If your biggest dream in this life is to stay in this remote military base on this remote mining planet, just getting by and living out your lives, then you can just mingle with the dung heap in the alley!”

Fu Qinghai pointed to the alley behind him, then to himself, and glared at the team members, saying sternly:

"Who are we? We are the Blade Squad, the most outstanding flight cadets from the Imperial Naval Academy of Calida Military Academy! We are destined to become the Empire's elite soldiers, destined to step onto a bigger stage, to defeat stronger enemies and win more glory—instead of forever staying in this poor, remote village of Sereno, bullying these unarmed civilians, understand? Don't treat this off-campus internship as your lifelong service goal! We are different from them, we are different from everyone in the base!"

"I understand, boss!"

The four boys nodded vigorously and spoke earnestly.

Fu Qinghai's gaze swept across the faces of each team member, noticing their resolute and spirited expressions. He nodded in satisfaction, his tone softening slightly as he gave them instructions:

"Life in the base is dull and boring. You're all young men in your twenties. I understand that you have needs and want to vent. There are brothels in the city. On your days off, don't go in wearing your uniform. Remember to pay when you're done, understand?"

"Uh, I... I understand, boss."

The four boys immediately scratched their heads, somewhat embarrassed.

The main problem is that Elwin is still standing next to them.

Elowin crossed his arms and looked speechless.

…………

Back at the military base, the Blade Squad returned to their respective barracks to rest, and began their routine patrol the next day. Two days passed without incident; it seemed the swarthy-bearded sergeant didn't dare report them to his superiors, perhaps knowing full well that what he had done was dishonorable.

Over the past two days, Fu Qinghai has continued to lead the Blade Squad on routine patrols. Lieutenant Soma Uller has formally submitted an application to the Imperial Security Bureau headquarters, requesting that Fu Qinghai be temporarily transferred to her investigation team. They are currently awaiting a response from headquarters.

Today, Fu Qinghai got off the TIE fighter jet, carrying his helmet, and walked towards the hangar door. He turned around and saw Lieutenant Eli jogging towards him, so he stopped.

"Qingshan, the colonel is looking for you."

Eli Nelli said with a serious expression.

……

Imperial military base, headquarters office.

"Reporting to you, sir."

Fu Qinghai stood tall with his head held high, chest out, legs apart, and hands behind his back.

Colonel Walpole sat behind his desk, gave Fu Qinghai a stern look, and said in a deep voice:
"Qingshan, I'm asking you, have you had any conflicts with Sergeant Danny Masterson outside the base before?"

“I don’t know who you’re talking about, sir.”

Fu Qinghai looked straight ahead and answered calmly.

The colonel held a photograph between two fingers.

Fu Qinghai looked down and saw a white official with a reddish-brown beard, a face full of acne scars, and a red, bulbous nose.

"I've heard that there's been some conflict between you two."

Colonel Walpole stared at Fu Qinghai and asked:
"Is this true?"

"Yes, sir."

Fu Qinghai nodded in agreement.

"Tell me exactly what happened."

Colonel Walpole put down the photograph and said.

Fu Qinghai then briefly recounted what had happened.

After listening, the colonel fell into deep thought.

After a moment, he raised his head and said in a deep voice:
"At 10 a.m. this morning, Sergeant Danny Masterson's body was found in a city alleyway, along with the bodies of two Army soldiers who were on patrol with him. An autopsy revealed that all three died of poisoning."

Oh? Dead?

Upon hearing this, Fu Qinghai raised his eyebrows slightly.

It seems that these "unarmed civilians" are not truly unarmed; they do have some tricks up their sleeves.

"This case has been transferred to the Imperial Security Bureau."

Colonel Walpole gave Fu Qinghai a deep look:
"You should ask Lieutenant Ule for details."

……

Imperial military base, Imperial Security Bureau office.

"You're really good at causing me trouble, student Aoyama."

Lieutenant Uller casually tossed a stack of documents onto the table, sighed, leaned back in his chair, and said:
"I've been staying up all night these past few days to organize all the relevant clues about the ore smuggling case and was ready to officially launch the investigation, but then this mess came up."

"I'm causing you trouble? If you genuinely believe that the dead army sergeant has something to do with me, then you, an agent of the Imperial Security Bureau's Surveillance Division, might as well resign as soon as possible."

Fu Qinghai walked to Lieutenant Wule's desk, pulled up a chair and sat down, speaking without any politeness.

"What do you mean?"

Soma Uller raised his eyes and glanced at him.

"This happened at such a critical juncture, which clearly means someone doesn't want your investigation to continue."

Fu Qinghai leaned back in his chair and said.

"You mean there's some connection between the army sergeant's death and the ore smuggling?"

Soma Uller asked with a hint of doubt.

Fu Qinghai looked at her and nodded.

"What evidence do you have?"

Lieutenant Wule stared at Fu Qinghai and said in a deep voice.

"intuition."

Fu Qinghai pointed to his head and said.

"Ah……"

Soma Uller rolled her eyes upon hearing this:
"If you want to clear yourself of suspicion this way, you don't need to go to such lengths. You have a solid alibi, and I will never suspect you."

"Anyway, let's go to the city first. Your secondment application should be approved soon."

Lieutenant Uller stood up from behind his desk:

"Those guys have been a bit too active lately."

…………