【Xianyang】Siren

In the early morning of June [-], the second year of the New Imperial Calendar, Admiral Murat, together with part of the space fleet led by Marshal Mittermeier, quietly left the Imperial Army's station in the outer star field of the Corridor.In order not to delay the journey, Murat, who was inconvenient to carry a warship, boarded the Marshal's flagship, the Wolf, with his entourage, and traveled through the dark space domain like a gust of wind, facing the burning light. Run to the corridor.By June [-]th, this imperial fleet entered the variable light astral belt as scheduled, where the communication and radar systems are often disturbed, so it is suitable for hiding.

According to the plan, they will part ways here, and Murat will re-board his cruiser and continue to drive to Iserlohn to complete the diplomatic mission assigned by the emperor.And Mittermeier will slowly advance while scouting the surrounding area, and wait for the emperor's next order.

Before leaving, the two commanders said goodbye on the bridge of the human wolf, both of them seemed a little out of spirits.The mission Murat undertook was not very pleasant, but what he didn't understand was that there were other arrangements behind this mission.The day before, Murat had already directly raised his doubts to the officer, but Mittermeier only said that if His Majesty thinks that Yang Weili needs to be more careful, it doesn't matter whether he lives or dies, caution is always wrong. will be wrong.

"What I am worried about is not just the strange arrangement in front of me," Murat finally couldn't help but say, "but the current physical condition of His Majesty, especially...especially...the mental aspect...don't blame me for talking too much , Admiral Mittermeier."

Mittermeier's face was also clouded.Even if Murat hadn't mentioned it, the matter had been on his mind for days. "When you return, we will report to His Majesty together," Mittermeier forced a smile in front of his young colleagues, "At that time, His Majesty should order to leave this place. I think, after returning to Feisha, His Majesty's spirit It will get better gradually." He couldn't help but look at the ocher-red interstellar dust floating in front of him, but he didn't have much confidence in his prediction.

The preparations for the commissioning of the cruiser were announced at this time, and Murat got up to salute and say goodbye to Mittermeier. When he walked towards the bridge passage, he seemed to feel that the marshal let out a long breath behind him.

"Admiral Mittermeier," Murat suddenly stood still, and turned around again, just in time to see the marshal's relaxed expression froze on his lips, "Have you noticed that there seems to be someone else on board?"

The kind marshal suddenly let out a cold air. "Admiral Murat, there are many people on board, what do you mean?"

"I don't know." Murat shook her head. "Last night I seemed to think I saw someone I knew, but looking back, it didn't make any sense. I think I might have misread it."

"Maybe." Mittermeier forced a smile.He remained motionless, watching Murat finally disappear into the elevator at the end of the passage, and then punched hard on the metal inner wall.

The figure reflected by the metal made him know that the person came out of the room and walked towards him. "Don't be so angry?" he said as they walked, sounding very indifferent. "I'm sure Murat didn't see me. He might be suspicious, but it doesn't matter."

"It's not important?!" Mittermeier growled angrily, "Roenthal, just listen to me, leave here immediately before anyone finds out, and go back to Brenhill to apologize to His Majesty. His Majesty is certainly angry, Maybe punish you, but it's better than getting things out of hand."

The black-haired marshal sat down on Mittermeier's command seat, crossed one leg, and really thought for a while with his head on his hands. "Are you worried..." He shook his military boots rhythmically, and looked at his friend deliberately as if suddenly enlightened, "If I stay here, His Majesty will think that you have conspired with me to do something unspeakable?"

"Royantal! Believe it or not, I will throw you out right now!"

"You should have thrown me out last night, Mittermeier." Luo Yantar looked as usual, sitting on the command seat with the same tired look, only slightly raised his chin to look outside, the blue one There was a reddish light dancing in the eyes.

The honey-haired marshal bit his lip. "You look... much better..." he finally replied in a low voice, "I finally know how to change clothes."

***

Into the night, the light on the human wolf also becomes dim, it is time to enjoy the sweet dreams.

On the first day of the voyage, Mittermeier worked late as usual to ensure that all ships and departments had re-entered the state.Although this voyage was not comparable to the march of the previous days, there was no room for loss. As usual, Mittermeier asked his subordinates to put up 12 points of energy to deal with various possible situations.The conditions of the stars around the corridor are complicated, they are taking an unfamiliar route, and the natural dangers on the terrain are enough to require them to remain vigilant at all times.

Near midnight, the commander, who was always energetic, closed the airway map a little tiredly.Outside the porthole is the silent universe. In the distance, there are light red gleams scattered by the stars, which have also dimmed in the dark sky and shone into the huge silver command room, faintly invisible.Right now it was only him and a few navigators on duty, Bayerlan and other subordinates had been sent to rest early by him, Mittermeier touched the cold tea cup, retracted his hands and stood up.

The ground lamps in the passageway inside the ship lighted up gradually with the sound of his footsteps, and two faint blue lights pointed directly at the commander's bedroom. Before entering the door, Mittermeier also dismissed his two guards as usual. I usually live a simple life, and I am not used to such things as someone watching the night at the door.The commander's bedroom is at the quieter end of the ship. Although it is larger than other cabins and has more complete facilities, the specifications are actually quite ordinary. It is just a two-bedroom suite, with the inner sleeping room and the outer room being used as a reception and living room .

Mittermeier had never felt that there was anything wrong with his bedroom until someone told him so that night.

"You ended up living in this kind of place?"

Mittermeier didn't instinctively touch the gun.The voice was so familiar that he was a little dazed when he heard it, wondering if he was so sleepy that he had a fatal hallucination.

There was only one warm yellow reading light in the room.Rosenthal sat on the velvet single sofa under the lamp, with the cloak tightly wrapped around him.

"What? I'm not welcome?" Luo Yantar looked at Mittermeier who was standing by the door, with a slight smile on his lips.

Mittermeier walked slowly to the center of the room. "Where have you been?" He heard himself ask without thinking.

"Didn't you see me?" Reuenthal smiled a little sharply, "Sneaking into the private room of the Space Fleet Commander-in-Chief is not very difficult, Mittermeier, you need to reflect on yourself."

Mittermeier heard the sound of his knuckles being pinched. "Where were you when His Majesty summoned you?"

After a long time, Luo Yantar turned his head sideways, "I have something to do. I can't get away." He responded coldly.The light hit his side face, and the shadow covered the other side. The shadow cast on the wall was a bit long, making his perfect side face slightly distorted.

What can you do is more important than His Majesty's summoning.Not only did he ignore it, but he also left his post without authorization, and he still had such an indifferent attitude.It's nothing more than leaving your post without authorization, and you actually ran to the flagship of another general who was on a mission. Do you know what people will think and what the consequences will be.Mittermeier's mind was so confused that he didn't know where to start cursing.

"I can't help it, Mittermeier." Roenthal seemed to know what he was thinking, "I killed someone, right here on Torristan. I can't stay there, not even for a second. "

The fact that Roenthal would actually abscond in fear of crime brought more shock than all the above, but this situation is too novel, Mittermeier came to his senses, and most of this sentence cannot be understood literally. "Is that so? Then I'll take you to a court-martial and surrender." Simply follow him.

He didn't expect to hear a few sharper laughs. "Mittermeier, who do you think is qualified to judge me?" He turned his head, and his dark blue eyes shone strangely.Reuenthal was not expecting an answer, because he answered immediately himself. "Nobody. Just me. So I killed myself."

This is more than novelty.Mittermeier felt a chill run up his spine.He doesn't like this kind of neurotic conversation, especially since the friend's unusual behavior has caused enough practical troubles. "Listen, Roenthal, I won't ask about the previous matter now, I will talk about it later. You stay here tonight, don't go out, don't let people see, when Murat is gone, I will send another ship ……I……"

Rosenthal also looked at him.The blue cloak that had tightly wrapped around his body at the beginning spread out, and was casually hung on the sides. Mittermeier could see the dark red stain on the lining.On the close-fitting black military uniform, there was a glaring blood stain the size of a bowl on the abdomen, dripping, dripping down the legs, and sticking to the cuffs, like solidified red wax, which was somewhat unreal.

Mittermeier quickly stepped forward, squatted down, stretched out his hand a little nervously, trying to touch the blood stain.Reuenthal didn't stop him, "I saw myself die on Torristan," he explained.

Hearing this, the marshal shook his short honey-colored hair in dismay. "It's not your blood." He raised his finger from Reoenthal's abdomen, "You have no wounds on your body, Reoenthal. What's going on? Did you really kill someone?"

"It's my blood." Reuenthal insisted, then wrapped his cloak silently, and leaned his head on the back of the suede sofa, avoiding Mittermeier's gaze. "It's the blood that I have already shed. Or, is it the blood that should have been shed?" He raised his chin slightly, looking at the empty wall opposite, "It should have ended when I was a baby, and it shouldn't be delayed for too long. .”

Mittermeier was even more distraught.He pulled over the single-seater sofa chair next to him, sat diagonally across from his friend, leaned under the light and asked cautiously, "That woman followed? This...isn't possible?"

Rosenthal nodded. "That woman is very accurate." He suddenly turned around again, firmly grasping Mittermeier's hand, "She even really dared. Really. Why didn't I have the courage to do this?"

"What are you doing?" Mittermeier couldn't help feeling that the military uniform on his chest was too tight.He wanted to withdraw his hand, but Reoenthal held it tightly.

"That's it." Mittermeier felt a tingling pain in his forearm.Roenthal's fingers were still pinched there heavily, and he looked at him with fiery eyes.The blackout shutters in the room have not been adjusted to the angle, and the outer space has a panoramic view. At this moment, the human wolf is walking through the dark red interstellar dust belt, and the red reflected light is diffused like mist, especially in the pair of heterochromatic pupils.

Mittermeier suddenly realized something, and his stomach twitched uncontrollably.

"It's the first time I saw that child, one black eye, one blue eye, really disgusting." Reuenthal said without any anger, "Why did he run into my hand? I don't Know, don't bother to know. But I recognized the child instantly, just as I imagined. Exactly repulsive. You guessed it, Mittermeier? You know, this one shouldn't have been born, And the child who shouldn't have survived was Oskar von Reuenthal. In a correct universe, there is no such person."

Mittermeier thought, he had a nightmare, maybe he was just drunk.But why did I believe every word he said. "You said you killed...you killed..."

"Is that child?" Luo Yantar shook his head lightly, "No, I don't have the courage. That child is already dead. He was already dead when he came to my hands, with sunken eye sockets and blood dripping from his eyes. Really Disgusting. So I just..." Mittermeier felt another tingle in his arm, and the reaction in his stomach became more pronounced at this time. "So I think...it should be at that time..." He let go of Mittermeier's arm, and pulled his clothes, the pool of dark red stiff blood stains looked a bit dull under the dim light. "But no matter how hard I pressed or squeezed my hand, the blood still couldn't flow cleanly. I could only use this cloak, wrapped layer after layer, and wrapped the child's eyes. He couldn't see me, So I'm still alive until now."

He was waiting for Mittermeier's answer, but he didn't hear it, and Roenthal was a little disappointed. "Shouldn't you say something, my best friend?"

"There is a psychiatrist on board." Mittermeier thought, I should go later.

As expected, there was a loud laugh, even a little jolly. "I still don't understand that? Childhood shadows, self-awareness disorders, frustrations of desires and expectations... But Mittermeier, what I am telling you now is a living fact, not a failure, not a disappointment, but a dream come true."

"Is this what you dreamed of?" Mittermeier's voice carried a little resentment.

"Dead? No." Rosenthal seemed to be a little sleepy at last, "I'm already dead. Even if I didn't, I shouldn't be alive. I survived by killing myself. I know it's true."

"You know nothing, and it's not true."

The blood red seemed to pop up in his eyes again suddenly, Mitter Maier realized with a little panic that he hadn't finished speaking. "You really have to believe me..." Reoenthal became hesitant for the first time, "I can't stand that place, I can't stand that child, so I just... I made him disappear..."

"Let him..." Mittermeier swallowed hard, "disappeared?"

"I searched for a long time, looking for a place that no one noticed. Finally I went to the vacuum chamber. Throw it away. The vast universe, leaving no trace. Disappeared. Right in front of my eyes, in an instant, completely Disappeared. I know you don't believe it. I don't want to."

***

There is no one else in the command room on the werewolf. The marshal has opened the sound insulation shield and strictly ordered no one to enter without permission.Reoenthal was still sitting on the command seat, looking in good spirits.Mittermeier felt sleepy and tired.He couldn't fall asleep the night before, so he sat on a chair and watched the dark red starlight all night.After the uninvited friend finished telling his story, he felt relaxed and slept peacefully until noon the next day.

"I have already asked Bayerlan to deploy the space shuttle. Naturally, you can't hide your coming here from everyone, but you can trust people I trust." Mittermeier said as calmly as possible, "When we enter the night voyage and there are fewer people on board, we will arrange for you to leave."

Rosenthal didn't respond at first, as if he didn't hear Mittermeier's words. After a while, he slowly turned his head, "Is it so fast? You don't want to have a drink with me?"

Mittermeier asked someone to bring the wine to the front hall, and went out to bring it in by himself. When he came back, Roenthal had already got up from the command seat and stood tall and straight in front of the large curved porthole. "Marshal Lao will serve you personally." He took the wine glass and shook it, and the ice cubes in the whiskey made a crisp sound.

"How are you going to explain it to His Majesty?" Mittermeier was palpitated by what his friend said last night, but right now he was more concerned about the more direct troubles.

"Explanation?" The ice cubes in the Reoenthal wine glass continued to make noise.He obviously didn't share Mittermeier's concerns.

Mittermeier was patient. "Roenthal, I believe what you said, but you should also be able to imagine how unbelievable these things would be to anyone else. So how do you plan to explain your disappearance to His Majesty?"

"Oh! That's right!" Luo Yantar tilted his head and smiled, and took a sip of his wine, "How can you lie to our young majesty? Unexpectedly, Mittermeier, you, a loyal minister, will also have Is this kind of idea spoiled by me?"

Mittermeier patiently drank the wine in his hand again. "Forget that I didn't ask. Do what you like!"

Reoenthal held the wine bottle and lifted it to Mittermeier's hand.Mittermeier stared at him for a long time, but still brought the wine glass closer.After pouring the wine, Rosenthal thoughtfully added two cubes of ice into it.

"Speaking of your mission," he suddenly changed the subject, "it's a bit interesting. Why, His Majesty wants to take this opportunity to take down Iserlohn in one fell swoop? Maybe Murat is just a cover-up, courtesy first and then soldiers?"

The fleet commander also shook his head in confusion. "I also suspected this. Don't interrupt, I said this because His Majesty did not give me clear instructions. I will first go to the star field where the Ruida [-] incident happened, and at the same time keep a reasonable approach or retreat from the fortress. distance."

"Isn't it a bit redundant?"

"If Yang Weili really didn't die, it wouldn't be superfluous."

Rosenthal raised his eyebrows halfway, and finally showed a surprised expression. "Okay." He drank the wine in his glass, "That's not bad."

Mittermeier knew at first that his friend, like himself, was more distressed than happy about Yang Weili's murder; but at this time he somehow felt that Luo Yantar's intentions were elsewhere.

"I just heard from Murat," Reyntar's voice pulled back his unreasonable thoughts, "Your Majesty seems to be in a bad condition?"

This was no secret, but Mittermeier suddenly didn't want to say more. "It seems so," he hesitated, "maybe it's good to go back to Feisha."

"Just go back to Feisha..." Luo Yantar repeated inexplicably.At this time, he gently put the drunk glass on the window sill, and turned to his friend with a smile in the reddish mist, "It's almost time, I should go too. After all, if you are alive, you still have to do something that should be done." .”

Mittermeier's heart skipped a beat. "What are you going to do?"

"Go back to see Your Majesty, didn't you say so?"

"Oh..." Mittermeier was a little hesitant, "Then what are you going to... plan...how to tell His Majesty?"

"I don't know yet." Reoenthal replied rather straightforwardly, "If something is destined to happen, let it happen."

For some unknown reason, Mittermeier suddenly grabbed Roenthal's forearm with all his strength, and the golden and silver demon pupils turned half sideways. In his sight, he saw his friend with short honey-colored hair hanging down, as if he was staring at two empty wine glasses on the window sill.

"The wine is not finished yet," Mittermeier said.There was indeed half a bottle left.

Rosenthal smiled lightly. "Seal it first. I'll drink the remaining half with the marshal next time." He calmly pulled Mittermeier's hand away.

"I don't want this to be the last time drinking with you." Mittermeier regretted immediately after saying that.In the military, some words are indeed taboo.He didn't know what he was doing so neurotic today.Mittermeier knew her friends well, but sometimes because she knew too much, she suppressed the involuntary uneasiness.But now, these long-buried unease seemed to be stirred up by something, and they could no longer be suppressed.

Rosenthal didn't seem to mind. "Are you ready to quit drinking?" His smile was even more disturbing now.

Mittermeier took a deep breath. "Roenthal, if you lie to me, I will really be very angry."

"When have I lied to you?" He patted his friend on the shoulder, "I will visit your flagship again when I have time, and Marshal Mittermeier should not begrudge his good wine!"

***

By June [-]th, the fleet led by Mittermeier had entered the star field where the Reda [-] incident occurred, where the red light was diffuse, and a strange star was wrapped in dust, and the line of sight was blocked, making it difficult to see the real face. "The red evil star..." The commander had already heard this saying among the soldiers, and he found it difficult to deal with it: These words certainly affect morale, but if they are ordered to be banned, it will only spread more widely and be believed by more people.

At a little later in the day, the fleet received an encrypted communication from Admiral Murat from Iserlohn.One is that he has paid homage to the body of Marshal Yang Weili, and the second is that since Yang was killed, Iserlohn's heart has been moved. At present, a large number of soldiers and civilians who voluntarily left have left the port on civilian ships, hoping that the fleet along the way will not stop , to ensure its safe departure.

Ordinarily, these two pieces of news have almost explained the authenticity of Yang Weili's murder.But Mittermeier was still somewhat puzzled. He asked Murat to write back, asking Iserlohn to provide a list of civilian ships leaving the port.However, in the belt of variable light stars, various force fields are very unstable. This message has not been sent for a long time, and the communication department is still struggling with debugging.

The next day, traces of the ship's sailing were captured at the far end of the fleet.After half a day, the picture was sent back, and it was vaguely seen to be several medium-sized merchant ships.

"Maybe it's what Admiral Murat mentioned..." Bayerlan carefully looked at the frowning boss.He didn't know what to worry about, and there was no battle to fight right now.

Mittermeier didn't speak, he was staring at the not-so-clear image, when suddenly there was cheering from under the bridge.It turned out that after a lot of effort, the communication was finally restored, and the message for Admiral Murat was sent.The commander was also very happy to hear the news. "When Murat replies, we can check the details of these merchant ships." He explained to his adjutant.

"Marshal! A letter from Brenhill!"

——The emperor is critically ill!

Mittermeier opened his mouth halfway, but before he could make a sound, the correspondent exclaimed again. "Marshal! Another message from Brenhill..."

——Bronhill has set off for the Corridor Star Field.

Bayerlan couldn't help rushing over. "How is it possible?!" Mittermeier knew what he meant, and waved him to calm down. "Respond immediately," the marshal ordered, "Please reply to the current coordinates from Brenhill."

There was a nervous check at the correspondent's seat. "Marshal..." The answer over there hesitated, "The communication was interrupted again..."

"It's really timely." Mittermeier responded casually, but his mind was running violently.For a moment, he wanted to send a letter to Reoenthal and ask him where he was now.He didn't do so simply because such a message couldn't be sent right now.At the same time, Mittermeier also blamed himself. His first reaction was to associate such a situation with his best friend. What was he doubting?It makes no sense.

But... Mittermeier looked at the picture of the merchant ship on the other screen again, Yang Weili must still be alive.His Majesty's suspicion is not wrong, it is a deception.Now it seems that all kinds of tricks really look like the handwriting of this magician.Both pieces of information must be false.

"Marshal?" Bayerlan whispered beside him, as if waiting for instructions.

Mittermeier's eyes have become firm. "The whole army advances and surrounds the merchant ships." He ordered in a deep voice.

tbc.