DPM Chapter 9-Long Voyage Part 1
Translated by Snowfall77
“My requirement is that he is removed.”
As soon as Wu Xingyun said this sentence, multiple flashes lit up the scene. Major news outlets immediately started crafting their features, while the more gossipy rags planned ‘Two Men Fighting Over Groom,’ or ‘Martial Threesome.’ The more military-minded reporters pondered over how the Ouyang family had benefitted from the peace negotiations. Headlines like ‘Crisis Before Marriage, President Hobbs Declares War on Ouyang Family,’ ‘How Much Profit Did Ouyang Family Swallow In Negotiations,’ ‘Dastardly Plot To Incite Internal Strife by Night Demon, and ‘The Demon Army Strikes Again, Price of Peace Cannot Be Ignored,’ danced before the presses’ delighted vision.
The wedding was being broadcast live, not only for all the Galactic Federation to watch, but also for the enemy to see.
President Hobbs had just given his word, in public, and now he had to honor it.
More than a little embarrassed, President Hobbs had been caught. Sending Ouyang Liu as part of the escort team had been requested by both the Night Shard and Ouyang Liu himself. Added on top of that was the power of Vice President Ouyang Feng, who backed his bastard son. President Hobbs couldn’t change Ouyang Liu’s assignment even if he wanted to.
Hobbs was speechless.
It was Ouyang Feng who stepped down from the podium and came to stand before Wu Xingyun, spitting in a low voice: “This was the Council’s decision. You have to obey orders!”
Wu Xingyun kept his mouth closed, using silence to express his stubbornness.
Finally, President Hobbs tried to persuade. “Sergeant, this requirement is difficult. Could you not have a different one?”
“No, this is my only requirement,” Wu Xingyun stated firmly.
Hobbs’ officials clustered around him, whispering. The Night Shard’s envoy would be arriving soon, if Wu Xingyun proved unwilling to go, trouble would ensue. Hobbs promptly decided to talk privately with Wu Xingyun about the issue.
The reporters were isolated and couldn’t overhear the hushed conversation. They could only indulge their imaginations.
President Hobbs, Marshal Shi Fei, Ouyang Feng, and others circled Wu Xingyun, but it was kindly asked: “Sergeant, why have you made this request? Could you explain yourself? If it’s just your personal feelings, that’s not valid reasoning.”
Wu Xingyun saluted. “First, his quality of character does not pass. Physically and civically, he is not optimum. The escort team will have to cross a vast nebula, do two consecutive transmission point jumps, to reach unfamiliar territory. I do not believe Ouyang Liu can endure enough to successfully arrive at the destination and then return. Second, his shooting score does not qualify. I know that the escort team is to perform a shooting demonstration at the upcoming wedding banquet. His sub-par shooting skills will give humiliation to the Federation. Thirdly, and most important, I believe he has no loyalty to the Federation. He kneeled before the enemy, severely damaging the Federation’s honor. If he makes his way to the Demon Army, he will again commit treason.”
President Hobbs asked: “Sergeant, do you want to reconsider?”
“Report! I have already considered it clearly.”
Hobbs stumped yet again, Shi Fei opened his mouth. “Wu Xingyun, this is a decision the government has already made, and…It’s also the wish of the Demons. But, Ouyang Liu going as a Captain is truly inappropriate. If he’s going to go, let him be stripped of his rank and go as an ordinary soldier. When his behavior violates regulations, Wu Xingyun, you can handle it at your sole discretion.”
Ouyang Feng blurted: “How could that be?!”
Shi Fei’s irascibleness immediately rising, he scolded: “Aren’t we talking about your illegitimate son with some slut? How you blemish yourself in private has nothing to do with the rest of us. We’ve already been fucking shamed. If you still not content with us letting your garbage spawn accompany our fine soldiers, I’ll shot you damn traitor right now!”
Not expecting Shi Fei’s harsh words in front of everyone, Ouyang Feng dearly wanted to respond in kind, but couldn’t afford to stoop too low. He settled for a couple grim laughs, and said in a mystified tone: “Marshal Fei, such lung power and stamina! Can’t you use it to explain the failure of the Ghost solider mission three months ago? Do remember, our military court is eagerly waiting for your report. Oh…Don’t be so unbridledly arrogant, leave yourself some leeway!”
Shi Fei’s hand went to his waist, but his holster was empty. When going out that morning he’d decided, in order to avoid angrily inflicting grievous damage, to not bring a gun.
Shi Fei scornfully snorted, and turned away.
President Hobbs, still radiating benevolence, said: “Sergeant, we’ll consider this matter settled. You, as the senior officer of this operation, have the authority to deal with your subordinates. As for Ouyang Liu, he could be demoted, but our military doesn’t strip the rank of our officers without just cause. Let it be that he volunteered to participate as a regular infantryman, retaining his rank, but is under your authority.”
There was nothing else for Wu Xingyun to say. Hobbes added: “It’s an order, Sergeant, obey the order.”
Wu Xingyun could only stand at attention. “Yes!”
The brief interval concluded there. Ouyang Liu, in the end, remained on Wu Xingyun’s team, but was sent to stand isolated at the back of the formation. President Hobbs handed Wu Xingyun a presidential decree, while Shi Fei, on behalf of the military, gave Wu Xingyun interim marshal-level authority.
On time at 10:00 am, on October 1, 2014, by the Galactic Federation calendar, the Demon Army’s bridal escort arrived mid-air.
DPM Chapter 9-Long Voyage Part 1
Translated by Snowfall77
“My requirement is that he is removed.”
As soon as Wu Xingyun said this sentence, multiple flashes lit up the scene. Major news outlets immediately started crafting their features, while the more gossipy rags planned ‘Two Men Fighting Over Groom,’ or ‘Martial Threesome.’ The more military-minded reporters pondered over how the Ouyang family had benefitted from the peace negotiations. Headlines like ‘Crisis Before Marriage, President Hobbs Declares War on Ouyang Family,’ ‘How Much Profit Did Ouyang Family Swallow In Negotiations,’ ‘Dastardly Plot To Incite Internal Strife by Night Demon, and ‘The Demon Army Strikes Again, Price of Peace Cannot Be Ignored,’ danced before the presses’ delighted vision.
The wedding was being broadcast live, not only for all the Galactic Federation to watch, but also for the enemy to see.
President Hobbs had just given his word, in public, and now he had to honor it.
More than a little embarrassed, President Hobbs had been caught. Sending Ouyang Liu as part of the escort team had been requested by both the Night Shard and Ouyang Liu himself. Added on top of that was the power of Vice President Ouyang Feng, who backed his bastard son. President Hobbs couldn’t change Ouyang Liu’s assignment even if he wanted to.
Hobbs was speechless.
It was Ouyang Feng who stepped down from the podium and came to stand before Wu Xingyun, spitting in a low voice: “This was the Council’s decision. You have to obey orders!”
Wu Xingyun kept his mouth closed, using silence to express his stubbornness.
Finally, President Hobbs tried to persuade. “Sergeant, this requirement is difficult. Could you not have a different one?”
“No, this is my only requirement,” Wu Xingyun stated firmly.
Hobbs’ officials clustered around him, whispering. The Night Shard’s envoy would be arriving soon, if Wu Xingyun proved unwilling to go, trouble would ensue. Hobbs promptly decided to talk privately with Wu Xingyun about the issue.
The reporters were isolated and couldn’t overhear the hushed conversation. They could only indulge their imaginations.
President Hobbs, Marshal Shi Fei, Ouyang Feng, and others circled Wu Xingyun, but it was kindly asked: “Sergeant, why have you made this request? Could you explain yourself? If it’s just your personal feelings, that’s not valid reasoning.”
Wu Xingyun saluted. “First, his quality of character does not pass. Physically and civically, he is not optimum. The escort team will have to cross a vast nebula, do two consecutive transmission point jumps, to reach unfamiliar territory. I do not believe Ouyang Liu can endure enough to successfully arrive at the destination and then return. Second, his shooting score does not qualify. I know that the escort team is to perform a shooting demonstration at the upcoming wedding banquet. His sub-par shooting skills will give humiliation to the Federation. Thirdly, and most important, I believe he has no loyalty to the Federation. He kneeled before the enemy, severely damaging the Federation’s honor. If he makes his way to the Demon Army, he will again commit treason.”
President Hobbs asked: “Sergeant, do you want to reconsider?”
“Report! I have already considered it clearly.”
Hobbs stumped yet again, Shi Fei opened his mouth. “Wu Xingyun, this is a decision the government has already made, and…It’s also the wish of the Demons. But, Ouyang Liu going as a Captain is truly inappropriate. If he’s going to go, let him be stripped of his rank and go as an ordinary soldier. When his behavior violates regulations, Wu Xingyun, you can handle it at your sole discretion.”
Ouyang Feng blurted: “How could that be?!”
Shi Fei’s irascibleness immediately rising, he scolded: “Aren’t we talking about your illegitimate son with some slut? How you blemish yourself in private has nothing to do with the rest of us. We’ve already been fucking shamed. If you still not content with us letting your garbage spawn accompany our fine soldiers, I’ll shot you damn traitor right now!”
Not expecting Shi Fei’s harsh words in front of everyone, Ouyang Feng dearly wanted to respond in kind, but couldn’t afford to stoop too low. He settled for a couple grim laughs, and said in a mystified tone: “Marshal Fei, such lung power and stamina! Can’t you use it to explain the failure of the Ghost solider mission three months ago? Do remember, our military court is eagerly waiting for your report. Oh…Don’t be so unbridledly arrogant, leave yourself some leeway!”
Shi Fei’s hand went to his waist, but his holster was empty. When going out that morning he’d decided, in order to avoid angrily inflicting grievous damage, to not bring a gun.
Shi Fei scornfully snorted, and turned away.
President Hobbs, still radiating benevolence, said: “Sergeant, we’ll consider this matter settled. You, as the senior officer of this operation, have the authority to deal with your subordinates. As for Ouyang Liu, he could be demoted, but our military doesn’t strip the rank of our officers without just cause. Let it be that he volunteered to participate as a regular infantryman, retaining his rank, but is under your authority.”
There was nothing else for Wu Xingyun to say. Hobbes added: “It’s an order, Sergeant, obey the order.”
Wu Xingyun could only stand at attention. “Yes!”
The brief interval concluded there. Ouyang Liu, in the end, remained on Wu Xingyun’s team, but was sent to stand isolated at the back of the formation. President Hobbs handed Wu Xingyun a presidential decree, while Shi Fei, on behalf of the military, gave Wu Xingyun interim marshal-level authority.
On time at 10:00 am, on October 1, 2014, by the Galactic Federation calendar, the Demon Army’s bridal escort arrived mid-air.
