Chapter 15: Does It Really Matter?

There was a moment when she almost believed Kenzo and that the Earth was only a vision. On the other hand, maybe she really didn't know what she was.

Overcoming her shock, she realized that Kenzo was still waiting for her answer.

Compared to the truth of her identity, it was more important what her condition would be if she gave a wrong answer.

Did he really care about her identity? He should've sent her to the factory the first day he met her if he did.

She thought for a while, then looked up to him and said honestly, "My lord, no one would send a weak girl like me to be a spy."

"Besides," she slowly lifted her hands and held his long tan fingers, "Does it really matter to you whether I am a spy or the enemy of humans if I am loyal to you?"

Her answer was true irreverence, and she had committed a crime against humanity. Anyone who heard her words could indict her and send her to jail. What about the official who was in charge of the legitimacy and security in front of her?

But she figured that answering in a provocative way was her best chance right now.

Kenzo stared at her a minute and then smiled at her with satisfaction for the first time in a long time.

"Well, it doesn't matter to me whether you are an enemy to human beings."

****

Space is like an endless black curtain that restricts all the unknown in the dark. The Phoenix space fortress was floating in space like an iron-gray burly giant.

Bruce Green, a man who was almost in his thirties, was the lieutenant who had served for five years in the Phoenix.

At first sight, he looked like an ordinary soldier of the alliance---tall, handsome, silent, and reliable. He was an honest man indeed, which is why the captain trusted him and put him in an important position even though he wasn't well-liked for his rigid personality.

He is now standing on the deck to welcome the newcomers on behalf of the captain.

He saw a small girl wearing a grass-green ankle-length dress. Her fine skin and pretty face looked youthful, and several men kept staring at her either secretly or flagrantly.

Bruce marches over to her to take over her luggage. "Welcome! Miss Wilson, I am lieutenant Bruce Green."

The girl kept thanking him and smiled nervously. How could such a weak girl have come to the toughest space fortress in the alliance? Bruce wondered. Would the captain even allow her to stay?

In the silver medal corridor, Bruce notices that she is looking around her, absorbing her surroundings. Although she remained silent, she was obviously shocked to see the many fighters resting on the parking apron in the dark corner.

Bruce explained to her. "Do you think there are not enough fighters? Half of the pilots and crew go back to the ground in this peaceful age."

"What if the Zerg launch a war?" She asks.

"Zerg?" He smiled, "Miss, please stop joking! There won't be a war."

She nodded.

After a few moments, several pilots in silver-grey suits walked towards them with their arms interlocked around each other's shoulders. They are surprised to see women among them. One of them looked at Bruce teasingly. "Lieutenant, your woman?"

Bruce kicked that pilot on his shoulder. "Nonsense, she is under the command of the captain."

The pilot responded in shock, "The Captain? I thought he wasn't interested in women. You mean he is? No way! When did our captain change his taste?"

The girl beside Bruce smiled silently. She wasn't embarrassed by his dubious words.

Bruce just smiled and dragged Emerald along.

As expected, the captain was relaxed but instantly became angry when he saw Emerald with Bruce. Bruce pretended not to see his expression and said respectfully," Captain, she is here." before he turned around and closed the hatch door.

Emerald quickly glanced into the hatch. The room was iron-grey with a very low ceiling, giving it a very oppressive feeling.

The man sitting on a black sofa with a red cover seemed to be very angry, which made the room even more oppressive.

Before she had come to the ship, McAdams had told her that the training location was in the warship of the famous Colonel Harrison Gates. She had been flattered because she heard that the soldiers of Harrison Gates were brave and fierce. He had been a mercenary before, but after he left the force, he had gone in the regular air force of Planet Hope to be closer to his old and sick parents.

But the man in front of her still surprised her. Wearing a dark green uniform, the famous Colonel Harrison Gates was no more than 35 years old. He had a square face full of stubble, fine features, and big bright eyes.

After he saw Emerald, his anger turned to fury.

Staring at her silently, he suddenly picked up the phone on the table.

"Harvey McAdams!" He roared. "You told me that you would send me a talent for the air force. This girl is as weak as a blade of grass. What's wrong with you? Take her back right now. I don't need women on my ship."

"It has nothing to do with me, owing you a favor...No! I agreed because I thought it was a man... What? fuck!"

"Fine, I'll keep my promise, but I will not treat her any differently just because of you! Don't blame me if she goes back to you crying!"

He slammed the phone down and leaned back on the couch. Then, after a few seconds, he raised his head and stared at her dully.

Emerald had understood what "colonel changed his taste" meant --- Harrison Gates disliked women.

The two stared at each other.

The colonel squinted his eyes and was about to shout at her when Emerald suddenly threw her luggage forcibly to the floor before he could start talking and said. "Harvey McAdams is such a bastard!"

Harrison looked at her in surprise.

Angrily and aggrieved, she continued. "I had no idea that there were no female pilots on this ship before I came here."

Harrison glanced at her sharply but didn't say a thing.