[On the Return Flight]
Jing Liuli curled up in the co-pilot seat, her long lavender hair casually cascading over her shoulders. Her violet pupils sparkled as her fingers slid rapidly across the portable data terminal in front of her.
Displayed on the screen were not the Iron Dome family data analyses they had acquired during this mission, but rather the latest fan comments from her Star-Net profile.
Watching these messages, the corners of Liuli's mouth couldn't help but curl upward.
"Tendo, Tendo, look!"
Liuli suddenly leaned toward the pilot's seat, shoving the terminal screen in front of Tendo's eyes, her tone carrying a childish excitement.
"My fans are all asking when I'll hold another concert, and some people are guessing that I've gone on a secret mission."
"Do you think I should secretly post a photo of myself 'injured'? It would definitely trend on the Star-Net hot search!"
Tendo's hand on the aircraft's control stick paused for a moment, and his eyelid twitched uncontrollably.
Looking for trouble where there is none...
Without any hesitation, Tendo turned to glance at Liuli and replied, "Stop with the wild hype. Don't you think we have enough on our plates already?"
"I know, I know."
Seeing that Tendo didn't appreciate her "humor" at all, Liuli pouted and stuffed the terminal back into her pocket.
With nothing to do, she reached out to pet the spirit fox on her shoulder. The fox obediently rubbed against her fingertips, breathing out a wisp of shimmering light that settled on the tips of her hair.
"How boring. We finally finish a fight, and I can't even relax a little."
"By the way, do you think Caroline has already made something delicious? I told her last time I wanted to eat the latest Star-Fruit Mousse, and she promised me."
Hearing this, Tendo said casually, "Since she promised you, I don't think Caroline will break her word."
"That's good then!"
Liuli laughed happily, then let out a yawn, leaned back against the co-pilot seat, and quickly drifted off to sleep.
Before long, the only sounds inside the cabin were the soft rustling of the spirit fox and the low hum of the engines.
Peaceful and harmonious.
Half an hour later, the aircraft slowly descended onto the base's hidden landing pad.
Yun Meng, bringing Little Jin, was already waiting there. The flame-attribute Star Power around Little Jin had retracted significantly as it crouched obediently at Yun Meng's feet.
Seeing the aircraft land, the shrunken Little Jin showed none of the majesty of a Disaster-class draconic Star Beast; it immediately wagged its tail and ran over, letting out a soft low growl toward the hatch.
Yun Meng stepped forward, her eyes falling on the wound on Tendo's shoulder, her brow furrowing slightly.
"Injured?"
Tendo stepped off the craft, a pale blue Star Power sweeping over the wound, causing the scorch marks to fade slightly.
"It's no hindrance."
Liuli followed closely behind. The moment her feet touched the ground, she grabbed Yun Meng's arm, her tone light and airy.
"Sister Yun, Sister Yun! We got the core data from the Iron Dome family! Caroline is definitely busy analyzing it, but you absolutely must help me remind her about the Star-Fruit Mousse she promised me!"
Yun Meng smiled helplessly, reaching out to ruffle the top of Liuli's head. Her tone was gentle: "Don't worry, she won't forget."
"Caroline went to the base's food storage room this morning to look for star-fruits. I expect by the time you get back, the mousse will be just about ready."
The group walked side-by-side toward the interior of the base. Pale blue Star Energy light strips were embedded along both sides of the corridors, and the walls were covered with technocyte circuits and defensive nodes, yet the place radiated warmth everywhere.
A celebrity poster of Liuli was tacked to a corner—she had secretly stuck it there. Although Caroline found it an eyesore, she hadn't removed it.
Flame crystals that Little Jin liked were placed on the shelves, alongside neatly organized technocyte component samples tidied by Caroline. Every detail hid the traces of their shared lives.
In the medical room, Caroline sat before a console. Her silver hair was tied in a low ponytail, and her green eyes were focused intently on the screen. Her fingers tapped rapidly on a technocyte keyboard, where data analyses of the Iron Dome family and technocyte Star Energy circuit maps flickered across the display.
On the table in front of her sat a bottle of light green restorative agent and a roll of technocyte bandages embedded with superconducting fibers.
Next to them sat a small glass bowl filled with Star-Fruit Mousse, clearly prepared specifically for Liuli.
Hearing footsteps, Caroline did not look back, her focus remaining on the screen. Her tone was calm and rational.
"Tendo, your wound has remnants of 'Domain Power.' Ordinary Star Energy restoration will have limited effect. Use the technocyte restoration agent I've formulated along with the Star Energy bandages; it will heal faster."
Without wasting words, Tendo walked to the console and sat down, pulling back his tactical suit to reveal the faint scorch marks beneath.
Caroline turned around and picked up the restoration agent. She applied the medicine evenly to the wound, her movements gentle, precise, and efficient.
As a Technocyte Star Envoy, Caroline understood the fusion of Star Energy and machinery perfectly. Even in healing, she maintained a sense of clinical precision.
While Tendo underwent treatment, Liuli spotted the Star-Fruit Mousse on the table immediately.
She hurried over, grabbed a spoon, and shoved a mouthful into her mouth. She squinted her eyes in satisfaction, her violet pupils full of joy.
"So good! Caroline, the mousse you make is even better than the high-end dessert shops at Martial Talent!"
Caroline glanced at her, a nearly imperceptible flash of softness crossing her eyes.
"Transfer the core data from your terminal to me once you've finished eating. I've already decrypted a portion of the technocyte factory locations. The rest needs to be combined with the adaptation data you retrieved from the lab to confirm the specific coordinates of Tie Jin's backup factories."
"Also, do not get mousse crumbs on the technocyte components on the console. It's a hassle to clean."
"I know, I know!"
Liuli nodded while scooping up another spoonful of mousse, speaking indistinctly: "I've already synchronized the data to you. Take your time analyzing it. I'll go help Sister Yun organize the surveillance data once I'm done eating. I promise not to cause trouble!"
Despite her words, Liuli's eyes remained fixed on the glass bowl, a bit of lavender mousse sauce clinging to the corner of her mouth. She looked entirely like a child, showing none of the persona of the New Federation's superstar.
The spirit fox hopped onto the table and leaned toward Liuli's hand, carefully licking a bit of mousse. Its tail lightly brushed against her wrist, making Liuli giggle as she rubbed its head. "Eat slowly, no one is going to steal it from you~"
Yun Meng leaned against the doorframe, watching the scene with eyes full of tenderness.
Little Jin lay in the corner of the medical room, gnawing on the flame crystal Yun Meng had given it. Every so often, it would look up at the group and let out a satisfied low growl.
The originally tense atmosphere gradually softened within these small fragments of daily life.
"By the way, Caroline."
Tendo spoke suddenly, his tone still flat but carrying a hint of seriousness.
"Tie Jin escaped. He will definitely activate the backup factories to launch another attack. We need to improve the base's defenses as soon as possible."
Caroline nodded, her fingers returning to the keyboard.
Soon, the screen switched to the base's defensive schematic.
Green lines marked the reinforced defensive nodes, while red dots represented the weak points that needed bolstering.
"I am currently analyzing the weaknesses in Tie Jin's Technocyte Dominion. Combined with your Vector Force Field, I can optimize the base's Star Energy defensive barrier to effectively withstand Star Energy attacks from the technocyte legion."
"Additionally, there is some leftover technocyte corrosive agent I formulated. I've given it to Yun Meng to strengthen the outer traps."
"I have already arranged the defensive deployment for the perimeter," Yun Meng stepped forward, pulling up the schematic for the outer traps.
"Little Jin will be stationed at the western high point. Its flame Star Power can work in tandem with the superconducting traps to rapidly melt the core circuits of incoming technocytes."
"However, we still don't fully know to what extent the Iron Dome family has developed the 'Miracle Stone · Law.' We cannot lower our guard."
Liuli finished the last spoon of mousse, wiped the corner of her mouth, and leaned toward the console.
Her violet eyes stared at the technocyte schematic on the screen. Her tone held a touch of seriousness, yet her childish nature remained.
"I can use my Dream Power to monitor technocyte signals within a certain range. If Tie Jin's technocyte legion makes a move, I'll be able to detect it immediately."
Caroline glanced at her and nodded.
"Your Dream Power can indeed serve as an early warning system. But do not easily delve into the deeper layers of Quantum Space. For those who aren't Technocyte Star Envoys, the volume of information there is not something an ordinary person can handle."
"Don't worry, don't worry! I'm not that silly!"
Liuli puffed out her chest, and the spirit fox gave a cry in cooperation.
Tendo's wound had mostly healed. His pale blue Star Power slowly retracted as he stood up. His gaze swept over the group, his tone flat but reassuring.
"Thank you for your hard work, everyone. Over the next few days, we will improve the defenses while analyzing the data and keeping an eye on Tie Jin's movements."
"Don't stay too wound up. With the four of us here at the base, nothing will go wrong."
The setting sun filtered through the base's observation window, casting a faint golden light over them, tinting their silver, violet, and pale blue hair with a warm golden hue.
In the medical room, Caroline remained focused on analyzing data, her fingers dancing across the technocyte keyboard.
Liuli lay by the table playing with the spirit fox, occasionally leaning over to ask Caroline childish questions.
Yun Meng organized the defensive deployments, occasionally looking up to watch the interaction between the two and revealing a gentle smile.
Little Jin lay in the corner, having finished its flame crystal, and slowly closed its eyes to rest and build its strength.
There was no fierce fighting, no cold technocyte threats—only the small moments of companionship and unspoken understanding between them.
Liuli's childishness, Caroline's cool rationality, Yun Meng's gentle reliability, and Tendo's steady reserve intertwined in this small base to form the warmest of daily lives.
What no one noticed, however, was a faint technocyte signal flashing briefly in the corner of Caroline's console screen.
It was a residual signal from Tie Jin's communicator, carrying a frenzied rage and unwillingness, signifying that this peaceful daily life was merely a brief respite before the coming storm.
"Oh, right, Caroline."
Liuli suddenly remembered something, her eyes lighting up.
"Tomorrow is the Star-Net Live Streaming Gala. I promised my fans I'd make an appearance. Can I borrow the base's broadcasting equipment?"
"Just for a ten-minute stream! I promise not to leak any secrets!"
Caroline blinked, then gave her a helpless look, ultimately nodding.
"Fine. But the stream must be conducted under my monitoring. You are not allowed to leave the designated area, you are not allowed to mention the base or the mission, and after the stream, you must help me organize technocyte parts. No slacking off."
"Great! Caroline, you're the best!"
Liuli cheered, lunging forward to hug Caroline's arm. Her violet pupils were full of delight, completely devoid of the serious expression she had while discussing the mission.
Tendo watched the noisy scene, a nearly imperceptible smile flashing in his eyes. A wisp of pale blue Star Power brushed over the console, temporarily blocking that faint technocyte signal.
He knew that peaceful daily life was hard-won. What they could do was protect this warmth, make full preparations, and wait for the next confrontation with Tie Jin.
But for now, they might as well enjoy this post-war relaxation and companionship.
The following afternoon, Caroline specifically cleared out the base's communications room to serve as a temporary streaming studio. She tuned the equipment in advance and blocked all signals that might leak the base's coordinates.
Liuli changed into a light lavender casual outfit. She wore no makeup, and her lavender hair fell naturally over her shoulders.
Though she lacked the polished splendor she had on stage, she gained a touch of everyday vibrancy.
"Hello everyone~"
As soon as the stream started, Liuli flashed a sweet smile, her tone light and lively.
"Sorry, sorry for making you all wait! I've been quite busy lately, so it's been a while since we've seen each other!"
Outside the camera's view, Caroline sat at the technocyte console, her green eyes fixed on the monitoring screen. She kept an eye on the signal stability while simultaneously organizing data analyses of Tie Jin's backup factories, the rhythm of her fingertips on the keyboard never stopping.
The comment section was instantly flooded with a dense barrage of messages covering the screen.
'Liuli baby is finally streaming! I missed you so much!'
'Help, Liuli looks so good even without makeup, those violet eyes are just too much.'
'Curious about what Liuli has been busy with lately, are you preparing for a new stage show?'
Watching the comments, Liuli couldn't stop smiling. She petted the spirit fox's head while replying patiently.
"Thank you all for the love~ The new stage show is still in preparation! Once this busy period is over, I'll be seeing you all!"
Just then, the sound of light footsteps came from outside the door. Tendo walked past carrying a stack of technocyte parts. He had only intended to deliver the parts to Caroline and hadn't noticed the streaming room door wasn't fully closed; his figure accidentally flashed into the corner of the frame.
The pale blue hair, the tall stature, and the faint glow of Star Power on his shoulder that hadn't completely faded were instantly captured by the fans.
The chat exploded.
'Who was that just now?! Who was that handsome guy who flashed by?'
'Help, that shock of pale blue hair is amazing. Is he Liuli's friend?'
'Show your face! That figure just now had such an aura.'
Liuli panicked, instinctively using her arm to block the corner of the frame. A flash of fluster crossed her violet eyes, and her tone became somewhat slurred.
"No... it was no one! Just a staff member here, just passing by, passing by~"
As Liuli spoke, she secretly winked toward the area outside the camera, signaling Tendo to leave quickly. She looked frantic and adorable, completely losing the composure of a superstar.
Tendo realized he had wandered into the frame. He paused for a beat, but did not linger. He turned slightly and quickly vanished beyond the door, making no sound throughout, maintaining his steady and reserved demeanor.
Outside the camera's view, Caroline looked up, a trace of helplessness flashing in her eyes. Her fingertips operated the console rapidly, blurring the segment where Tendo had entered the frame while sending a prompt to the stream's back-end.
[Do not mention people off-camera. Change the subject immediately.]
Seeing the prompt, Liuli immediately pulled herself together. Feigning composure, she picked up some star-fruit chips beside her and popped one into her mouth, then fed a small piece to the spirit fox. She smiled to change the subject: "Look, these are the star-fruit chips I've been loving lately. They're super sweet! And look at my little baby spirit fox—isn't it cute?"
As she spoke, she picked up the spirit fox and brought it close to the camera. The fox obediently blinked at the lens and breathed out a wisp of light, instantly melting the hearts of the fans behind the screens.
The chat was quickly overtaken by comments about the spirit fox's cuteness, and the previous interlude was gradually drowned out:
'Spirit fox baby is so cute! Is it a new breed of Star Beast?'
'Liuli and the spirit fox match so well, they're both in the purple color palette.'
'That handsome guy just now was probably an illusion. Watching our spirit fox baby is more important!'
Liuli breathed a sigh of relief. She stole a glance at Caroline off-camera and stuck out her tongue, her eyes full of mischief.
Thankfully the fans didn't press her further; otherwise, she would have been punished by Caroline with organizing technocyte parts.
As the stream neared its end, Liuli waved at the camera, her tone soft: "Alright, that's all for today's stream. After a while longer, I will definitely bring a new stage show to see you all. You're not allowed to miss me too much~"
Finishing her sentence, Liuli made a heart gesture toward the camera and secretly had the spirit fox make a tiny heart too before pressing the end button.
The moment the stream ended, Liuli immediately ran to Caroline's side, pulling on her arm and smiling pleasingly: "Caroline, Caroline, wasn't I great!"
"I almost slipped up just now, but I changed the subject really quickly. I didn't leak any secrets~"
Caroline glanced at her, her fingers still tapping on the keyboard. Her tone was flat but carried a hint of helplessness.
"It was passable. If you dare to be this careless next time, I'll make you organize double the technocyte parts."
"Also, when Tendo was delivering parts, you should have reminded him in advance that a stream was in progress to avoid this happening again."
"I know, I know!"
Liuli pouted, then leaned over to rub the spirit fox's head.
"Blame the spirit fox. It was too cute just now, I forgot to remind Tendo."
The spirit fox rubbed against her finger obediently, as if admitting its fault, making Liuli burst into laughter.
Not far away, Tendo leaned against the doorframe, his pale blue Star Power flowing slowly. A faint smile flashed in his eyes as he watched the boisterous pair. The warm atmosphere in the base grew a bit stronger.