Then let the witch offer her loyalty

Chen Moxin took out the cigarette case from his pocket, pulled out another cigarette and offered it to Annie, but the latter waved her hand and refused: "I only smoke three cigarettes a day, and I've already reached my limit for today."

“Okay, you’ve convinced me. I don’t seem to have any reason to refuse a helper who comes to my door, especially one who is a recipient of a gift.”

"However, I am different from those old-fashioned people with traditional ideas. I don't care about people's background. Whether you are a psionicist, a spirit descendant, or a mortal, I only care about your loyalty and your abilities."

"If you want me to entrust you with important responsibilities, you need to prove yourself in your future work first."

Hearing Anies's words, Chen Moxin smiled meaningfully: "I've already prepared a gift for you."

After saying that, he put down the backpack he was carrying on his back, took out two square wooden boxes from it, placed them on the table, and made a "please" gesture.

Anies opened the wooden box, and the stench of blood immediately filled her nostrils.

When Anies saw the two bloody human heads in the box, she was first surprised, but after recognizing them, her gaze suddenly became intense, and then turned into a deep, unfathomable look.

“I must admit, your efficiency has surprised me. The rebel leader, Warm Fax, and the senior figure, Baring Gray, have both been on the wanted list for years, and we haven’t been able to catch them. I never expected that you, an outsider, would manage to do it.”

Chen Moxin seized the opportunity to flatter him, saying, "You are a gentleman, while I am a cunning one. People like me are often better at dealing with these despicable and shameless rebels."

Anies gave a brief laugh: "Perhaps God is looking out for me; you might really be able to surprise me in the future. So, what reward do you want?"

Chen Moxin slowly said, "I've already said this. I want an opportunity, a chance to make contributions by your side."

"In addition, I have two companions who came with me from Gaia's home planet. They are both staunch members of the Star Gate and are also recipients of the Gift. We hope to serve you together."

Anies was somewhat surprised after hearing this.

There are actually two more recipients?!

Psionicists aren't like cabbages; they're not something you can find everywhere.

Even on Gaia, the cradle of human civilization, there are only a few thousand psychics.

In places like Cicero, the number can be counted on one hand.

The sudden arrival of three recipients to join his ranks was no different from gold falling from the sky.

Where are your two companions now?

"We await your audience just outside your residence."

"Tell them to go to the main entrance, and I'll have someone bring them in."

Before long, Reilly and Alexander were led by their servants to Anaïs's study.

"Let me introduce you. This tall guy is called Lei Lie. He has mastered transformation-related spiritual energy and is a skilled close combat fighter."

"This man is named Ai Zhongguo. His ability is magnetic field control, and he is also a sharpshooter."

Anies nodded and greeted the two, then glanced at Alexander and asked, "You look like a Westerner from your home planet, so why do you have an Eastern name?"

Alexander replied neither humbly nor arrogantly, "I am a true-blue Easterner, thank you."

“Um… okay.” Anise didn’t dwell on the matter and continued, “I heard from Chen Moxin that you two are both from the Star Gate Sect. You’ve come all the way from Gaia here, also for your future?”

Lei Lie: "Bring glory to our ancestors!"

Alexander: "Start a separate family tree!"

Anies said thoughtfully, "Hmm... I seem to recall hearing before that the Eastern people on our home planet are very particular about keeping separate family trees..."

"In short, since you are like-minded people and have helped this planet eliminate the core figures of the rebels, you will work for me from now on."

"It's getting late, so I'll arrange rooms for you to rest. Tomorrow I'll have a cocktail party prepared to introduce you to my other companions."

...

The following morning, Annie held a press conference to inform the entire colony of the elimination of rebel leaders Warm Fax and Baring Gray.

She originally intended to tell the truth about what happened and let Chen Moxin enjoy the honor that should have belonged to him.

But Chen Moxin politely declined.

Chen Moxin stated that this is a crucial period for the election of the Planetary Governor, and Annie needs this achievement more than he does to win more votes.

Annies didn't hesitate or act coy; she readily accepted the honor and promised to compensate Chen Moxin in the future.

After the news was announced, the people of Upper City were naturally overjoyed. They had long hated the rebels who used the name of justice to carry out various anti-human terrorism activities and wished they would be wiped out.

Meanwhile, due to the loss of two key figures overnight, the rebels fell into chaos. The planetary defense forces, which had been mobilized long ago, wiped out several rebel strongholds in one fell swoop, achieving very good results.

Several pieces of good news brought unprecedented joy to the Upper East Side, and some people even spontaneously organized a celebratory parade on the streets.

That evening, Annies hosted a cocktail party for Chen Moxin and the other two as promised, at her own residence.

The party venue was brightly lit, and the glass dome resembled an inverted galaxy, illuminating the entire hall in a dreamlike way. Elegant music emanated from a vintage record player, with a slow, elegant melody.

Guests gathered in small groups, dressed in well-tailored formal wear, holding clear, fine wines, and wearing polite smiles befitting a social occasion, chatting with one another.

In addition to the main members of Anies' team, the guests at the party included many planetary political figures and elite nobles from the Upper City who were on good terms with her; the lineup was quite impressive.

Anise, dressed in an evening gown, walked onto the platform. The crisp sound of her fingers tapping on a crystal glass silenced the whispers of the crowd. The lights then shone on her deep red dress, making her look radiant and captivating.

"Tonight, we gather here not only to celebrate a victory, but also to welcome some new friends."

"Please allow me to raise my glass to Mr. Chen Moxin and his two companions and extend the warmest welcome."

The crowd applauded, and the lights focused on the three men in custom-made tuxedos. Lei Lie was shy, Alexander was bold, and Chen Moxin was generous and elegant, waving to the guests from all directions.

"Mr. Chen Moxin and his companions used their courage and wisdom to eliminate two key figures of the rebels. This not only brings benefits to the planet Cicero, but also sets an example for all of us."

“From today onward, they will no longer be outsiders, but one of us, and staunch supporters of our common cause.”

"May our cooperation be like the fine wine in this glass, growing richer and more mellow with age. Let us raise our glasses to the addition of our new partners, and to our unity and victory! Cheers!"

Everyone raised their glasses and drank the fine wine.

After the toasts, it was time for free conversation. The social focus was naturally on Anies, the hostess of the banquet, and Chen Moxin, who was new to the event.

The two were facing each other, holding wine glasses, chatting and laughing.

Chen Moxin's social skills were as excellent as ever. She spoke eloquently and humorously, occasionally telling a few jokes that made Annie and the surrounding guests laugh heartily.

However, at this moment, no one noticed that a pair of sinister eyes were staring at Chen Moxin from a corner of the party.

"Where did these three people come from?"

A gray-haired man looked at Chen Moxin in the distance with an unfriendly expression and tone.

A man next to him lowered his voice and said, "I heard they came from Gaia's home planet. All three are Gifted Ones. They took care of Vam and Balin as soon as they arrived, which made Anies very happy."

The gray-haired man snorted coldly: "After all these years, she really hasn't changed at all. She dares to recruit and use all sorts of scoundrels."

The man sighed, his tone somewhat wistful: "But it's precisely because of this unconventional woman who has made us who we are today that we've been able to climb to our current positions?"

"Of course, there's also bad news. Starting today, there are three more people looking up at us from below."

The gray-haired man didn't speak again, but the sinister look in his eyes deepened as he gulped down the strong liquor in his glass.

At this moment, Anies looked around in the distance, as if searching for something. Finally, her gaze fell on the gray-haired man, and she smiled and waved to him, signaling him to come over.

The gray-haired man's sinister look vanished instantly, replaced by a polite, gentlemanly smile, as he strode toward Anies and the others.

"Chen Moxin, let me introduce you. This is Wilson, my deputy, a Spirit Descendant. He has been with me for eight years and has made many contributions."

Chen Moxin smiled and extended her hand: "Hello, senior, please guide me in the future."

Wilson took Chen Moxin's hand and nodded, saying, "Mr. Recipient, you flatter me. I should be learning from you."

Anies smiled at the two of them and said, "You two chat, I'll go and attend to the other guests."

Just as Annie turned to leave, Wilson quickly caught up: "Madam, may I have a moment to spare? I have some work to report."

It was a cocktail party, and business was not usually discussed there. Annie quickly realized that Wilson had something he couldn't say in person and wanted to talk to her alone.

“Okay, the music is a bit loud here. Let’s find a quiet place to talk,” Anise said, leading the way to a quiet corner of the venue.

"Wilson, what's wrong? What's the matter that you have to tell me now?"

"It's about Chen Moxin and the others, madam. I have always supported all your decisions, but I have doubts about whether it is wise to rashly accept these three people."

"Why do you say that?"

Wilson glanced at Chen Moxin and the others in the distance: "Our home planet Gaia is 1.4 light-years away from Cicero. Even with the most advanced interstellar spaceships available today, a journey would take more than ten years."

"Moreover, as you know, the current hibernation technology is not perfect, and short-term hibernation and thawing can cause great harm to the human body. Therefore, hibernation technology can only be used on routes that last for more than 30 years."

"In other words, the journey from Gaia's home planet to our Cicero takes more than ten years and can only be endured through sheer hardship."

"But these three look very young, probably only in their early twenties. Could they have boarded the spaceship when they were children? Does that make sense?"

Anies chuckled: "Look at what you're saying. You yourself boarded a spaceship at the age of 8 and spent more than ten years getting to Planet Cicero."

Wilson's voice grew deep: "You're right, but that's precisely why I know very well what the mental state of someone who has fully experienced a space voyage is like."

"Starships are completely enclosed spaces. All you can see every day are metal decks and all sorts of mechanical equipment. Even if you find a porthole, all you can see outside is the oppressive black universe."

"As I mentioned before, I developed severe claustrophobia in that environment. I was completely disoriented when I disembarked at Cicero Star Harbor, and it took several years of recuperation to alleviate it."

"But look at those three. They speak clearly and are lively and talkative. That is definitely not the mental state of someone who has just experienced interstellar travel."

Anies countered, "Then where do you think they came from? They couldn't possibly be natives of Cicero, otherwise I would recognize them."

Wilson frowned and said in a low voice, "I'm also very puzzled by this. They're not locals, and they don't seem to have experienced interstellar travel. But logically, it's impossible to come to Cicero without experiencing interstellar travel."

"It's strange, really strange. They give me the feeling... like they just appeared out of nowhere."

Chapter 139 The Principles of the Stargate Project

Wilson pursed his lips and said, "These three people have very strange origins. I hope you will reconsider, madam. They..."

Annie raised her hand to interrupt him: "Wilson, I understand your concerns, but you must understand one thing: on Cicero, there are only two places for those who have received the gift—either me or Charles."

“If I don’t accept them, I’m essentially pushing them to Charles’s side. This election is already going badly for us; do you really want to see three more recipients under our rivals?”

Wilson fell silent, clearly understanding the pros and cons.

Anies looked at Chen Moxin and the others chatting and laughing with other guests in the distance, narrowed her emerald eyes and said, "Admittedly, I don't think the purpose of the three of them coming here is as simple as it seems on the surface. They may have some other plans in secret."

"But based on our current contact, I can confirm two things. First, they are not enemies; otherwise, I would have been assassinated by Chen Moxin during our first contact yesterday when I was completely unprepared."

"Secondly, they are the Star Sect, at least on the surface, which aligns with our beliefs."

"If you're not enemies but share the same ideals, then you're friends, at least for now."

"I can never have too many friends."

...

The party went very smoothly without any mishaps, which also meant that Chen Moxin and others had officially joined Annie's team.

The next day, Annie got up very early. She had a habit of going for a half-hour run every morning to do some aerobic exercise, which helped her maintain her work performance throughout the day.

The garden air was fresh in the early morning, with silver-white paving stones lining the path and many manicured flower beds stretching out around it.

These flowers and plants were all nurtured from seeds brought from Gaia's home planet. Their petals are slender and curved, with colors transitioning from deep purple to rose red on the inner layer. They shimmer in the morning sun and sway gently in the breeze, like flickering flames.

Anies thought she had gotten up early, but found that there were already people on the observation deck not far away.

It was none other than Chen Moxin.

Chen Moxin stood on the edge of the railing, gazing dreamily towards the north.

Good morning, Chen.

Anies walked up to the observation deck and greeted him.

Good morning, Ms. Anies.

"What are you looking at?"

Chen Moxin gazed into the distance, staring at the towering, ring-shaped building that seemed to reach for the sky, and said in a weathered tone, "I am looking at the greatest creation in human history."

"I remember when I was little, the first time I looked up at the starry sky, I longed for the universe and hoped that one day I could travel among the stars."

"Later, my parents told me a string of numbers—299792458. They told me that this seemingly random number was the ultimate shackle that the universe imposed on humanity."

"The speed of light in the macroscopic world cannot be exceeded. The existence of this law makes interstellar travel an unattainable fantasy. Humanity may one day be able to overcome distance, but it cannot overcome time."

"But so what? Humanity has not succumbed to the speed of light. We have launched the great Stargate Project, challenging this constant that has existed since the beginning of the universe."

"And now, I have finally arrived on the planet Cicero and devoted myself to the greatest cause in human history. I feel an indescribable sense of awe and honor."

Looking into Chen Moxin's clear and determined eyes, Annie suddenly felt that Wilson's doubts from yesterday seemed to have been answered.

People who have experienced long space voyages often develop various psychological problems.