Rebirth: The Universe's Hidden Heiress-Chapter 39: The Three VIP Protectees

[Security check passed.]

[Identity recognized.]

[Welcome back to the Military Department, Admiral Kenji.]

A robotic voice echoed. Kenji nodded, stepping away from the camera and walking down a long, silver corridor.

The corridor was lined with thick metal isolation panels, blocking all external signals and even capable of withstanding heavy artillery fire if necessary.

The clack of Kenji’s military boots echoed in the empty hallway. He stopped in front of a door at the end of the corridor and knocked on the heavy door.

Two seconds later, the metal door opened, and Kenji stepped inside, saluting the person sitting across the redwood long table, "Fleet Admiral."

The Fleet Admiral greeted him with a chuckle and a wave, "Ah, Kenji, come here."

Kenji walked over and stood beside him. The Admiral picked up a remote from the table and pressed the red button in the middle. Kenji looked up to see a familiar face on the screen.

It was Yuka.

But not the Yuka of now.

The Yuka in the photo was about fourteen or fifteen years old, her face still carrying a bit of adorable baby fat, beaming with a sweet smile as if she’d seen something she loved. If there truly was a Creator, then she was their most cherished child, her beauty seeming almost otherworldly.

Even those outside the screen were captivated by her smile, involuntarily smiling themselves. Kenji, realizing he was smiling, quickly straightened his lips, returning to a serious expression, and asked, "Fleet Admiral, she..."

The Admiral coughed twice, clearing his throat, "This lady is a key protectee in our ’Plan α.’"

Kenji was stunned.

He always knew the military had a protection plan, but the protectees usually carried significant secrets, having a considerable impact on the military, either beneficial or harmful. That’s why they were protected, to avoid influencing the development of the Alliance Army.

However, even though these individuals were designated as protectees, the Alliance Army didn’t interfere in their lives too much, mostly just observing them. The Army would only intervene at critical moments to ensure their safety.

Before he could speak, the Fleet Admiral displayed another picture.

This photo showed Ayoi’s identification photo, her lips tightly pressed together in nervousness, her round face all seriousness. The Admiral turned to Kenji, "This one, is the daughter of the Beatrix couple."

Kenji raised an eyebrow, asking, "The Beatrix couple?" ’The infamous interstellar thieves known to everyone?’

The Fleet Admiral nodded, confirming they were indeed the couple Kenji was thinking of.

The Beatrix couple’s legendary feats included sneaking into the royal palace in broad daylight to steal the largest diamond from the king’s crown, breaking into the military department to retrieve top-secret files from an underground vault, and even stealing the red mask of a former space pirate leader. There was seemingly nothing in the world they couldn’t steal.

When the Beatrix couple suddenly vanished from the public eye, rumors suggested it was because they had a child and decided to retire. However, years later, they were shot and killed, their bodies dumped in an abandoned park, only discovered days later.

Only then did the Alliance Army confirm their location and find their daughter.

Kenji had heard about this incident. He thought their deaths were likely a murder by the space pirates, but he never knew they had a daughter.

The Fleet Admiral said, "Ayoi Beatrix, a Class-A protectee."

He pressed a button, displaying another photo.

This one showed Alex, his face marked with scars, looking somewhat scared.

"You must be familiar with him," the Fleet Admiral continued. "He is the grandson of former Admiral Bartland, and a casualty of our first failed peace negotiation with the royal family."

"I was strongly against the plan to ally with the royal family through marriage. But due to the persistence of those traditionalist old fools and Bartland’s agreement, we sent his daughter into the royal family." The Fleet Admiral sighed deeply. "I heard the boy suffered a lot in the palace, bullied by that illegitimate child. We couldn’t intervene, only watch and occasionally send him medicine in secret. He’s also an Class-A protectee."

Kenji couldn’t help but ask, "Then why is Yuka classified as a Class-S protectee?"

The Fleet Admiral clasped his hands together, resting them on the table, and looked earnestly at Kenji. "Because she is our hope."

He spoke with admiration, "Her background is a long story, one I cannot yet reveal to you. But she was born with double S-tier physical and psychic power. Although she was protected by Hideki for her first eighteen years, she has now, according to our agreement with Hideki, arrived at Capital Octoxis and enrolled in UUA, probably ranking among the top students, right?"

He turned to Kenji, seeking confirmation with his eyes.

Kenji looked puzzled. "Are you sure... she has double S-tier physical and psychic power?"

"According to my knowledge, she only managed a passing grade in her physical training class, and in the mecha operation class I taught..." Kenji paused, "she scored five and thirty-five points respectively."

The Fleet Admiral was bewildered. "How is this possible?" He held his forehead in disbelief. "She was quite efficient when bombing the pirate spaceship and killing soldier insectoids, wasn’t she? Has Hideki raised her wrongly?!"

Kenji’s expression grew serious. "Wait... She is the lady with the helmet?"

"Yes, that’s why I told you not to investigate further," the Fleet Admiral, still holding his forehead, replied. "Her protection level is the highest, S-tier. The plan to protect her was discussed and agreed upon by the leaders of thirteen legions, and the contract was set eighteen years ago. Kenji, just wait a bit longer. Once she joins the Alliance Army, I’ll tell you everything about this contract."

Kenji responded with a nonchalant "Hmm."

Though he appeared calm, inside he was reeling. ’So, Yuka, you’re quite the actress,’ he thought, a cold smile curling his lips. ’Next time, I will expose this habitual liar in person. I want to see how she continues her act.’

"We need to get her into the military for training soon," said the Fleet Admiral, taking a sip of tea to calm himself. Turning to Kenji, he continued, "I just received a report from the tracking department. The flight trajectory of the pirate ship has been roughly determined. You should go immediately with your squad... no, go alone."

His expression grew stern again. "Please ensure their safe return."

Kenji nodded and saluted the Fleet Admiral. "Understood!"

He left the Alliance Army’s headquarters, headed to the armory to requisition a Lev capable of long-range travel, and then received the map from the tracking department.

He looked at it. There were three possible flight paths for the pirate ship. Whichever route they took, they would have to pass by those two border stars. He just needed to choose one and wait for them.

After a minute of contemplation, Kenji selected the greyish planet on the map, mounted the Lev, and activated its energy source.

[Destination selected. At current speed, arrival in 38 hours.]

Meanwhile, on the other side, the space pirates threw Yuka and her friends into a small room in the ship’s cabin and left them there.

In her psychic world, Yuka asked the butler, "Is there a camera in this room?"

The butler replied, "Yes. Master, do you want me to fly over and disable their surveillance?"

Yuka glanced at the butler’s round body lying on the floor, skeptical. "You said you could only fly up to two meters, didn’t you? How will you reach it?"

The butler: :(

Yuka could use her psychic power to make the butler’s Oniyon body fly up, but that would reveal her psychic power level.

She moved her leg to hook the butler closer with her foot, gave Ayoi and Alex a signal to stay still, and then shouted loudly towards the door, "Hey! Is anyone there?!"

Soon, a fierce-looking space pirate appeared at the door. He opened it forcefully and yelled at them, "What’s going on?!"

Yuka lifted her chin arrogantly and demanded, "Come and untie me!"

The space pirate was confused.

"This rope is uncomfortable," Yuka frowned. "And for lunch, I want truffle foie gras with cheese and caviar, and the main dish should be coq au vin..."

The space pirate looked even more puzzled.

"What are you standing there for?" Yuka moved her leg. "Don’t you want the ransom? I need to go to the bathroom. Please don’t tell me your bathroom doesn’t have aromatherapy, grrrr..."

The space pirate was completely baffled. He had never seen such a brazen hostage before.

Just as he was about to shout, the ship’s captain’s voice came through his earpiece, "Be careful, they’re all money. Injuring them will decrease their value."

The space pirate hesitated for a moment, then irritably said to Yuka, "We don’t have any lamb or aromatherapy! Come with me, I’ll take you to the bathroom."

Yuka stood up and held out her hand, indicating for him to untie her. "Why are you yelling so loudly?"

The space pirate was persuaded.

He untied Yuka’s rope and then grabbed her collar, leading her forward.

"Hey, hey, hey, my toy." Yuka pointed at the butler on the floor. "I want to take it with me."

The pirate found it unreasonable. "You’re taking a toy to the bathroom?"

Yuka gave him a look. "You got a problem with it?"

The space pirate picked up the round object, stuffed it into her hands roughly, and continued to lead her forward, locking the door behind them.

Yuka was dragged along like a little chick, grumbling, "Be gentle, my neck hurts, you’re so rough..."

The space pirate wished he were deaf, eagerly shoving Yuka into the bathroom and watching as she closed the door. And she was still complaining, "Gosh, it stinks here! It’s filthy!"

He leaned against the door, waiting for her to come out.

Inside the bathroom, Yuka dropped all pretenses.

She climbed onto the sink and reached for the ventilation duct with one hand. In her other hand, the round object slowly morphed into a screwdriver. She deftly removed the screws securing the vent cover and then took off the panel. With a jump, she half-crawled into the ventilation duct.

She moved forward quickly and quietly until she reached the next vent — the kitchen. Yuka slowed down and peered through the narrow gap.

The space pirates’ kitchen was empty, reeking of several rotting fruits. It seemed to be a ship of guys who didn’t cook. They likely didn’t eat on the ship, preferring to stop at other planets for food and repairs before continuing their journey.

With this valuable information, Yuka retreated swiftly back to the bathroom vent, carefully repositioning the cover.

Exiting the bathroom, she criticized the space pirate before he could suspect her, saying, "Your bathroom is so dirty. My clothes are all stained with dust!"

The pirate, having lost all desire to engage further, escorted her back to the room. He then informed the three of them, "You’ll only get nutrient liquid to drink. Don’t even think about anything else."