Patrick looked at Taron calmly, “As long as Marshal can retake control on the ground and send soldiers to the front line.” Taron said forcefully. “I promise you with my life. At least five space fortresses of the Alliance will reach the front line to help you in three hours. Don’t worry.” Patrick nodded. “I believe your promise.” It seemed that Taron had an entirely different view of Patrick now. He didn’t care that there were still some unpleasant problems between the mercenary and the Alliance and patted Patrick’s shoulder. “Patrick, you’re good! But the Zergs knew that we would make a sneak attack, so they have put secret sentries and soldiers are hiding around the planet. Once they notice that your army leaves the Alliance and we have no soldiers here, they may attack Planet Sky and Planet Hope first, which means that we would lose our advantage.”Patrick responded with cold eyes. “I know how to do it.” Taron laughed happily and nodded. “I have to admit that I’m old. I never expected to meet a talent like General.” He looked at Lucas, “Mr. President, you really have a good vision for talent.” Lucas also laughed, and General Harold added with a smile. “It’s said that the female worms of the Zerg can’t follow the army and have to stay on their planet. We can kill them all this time.” Everyone burst into laughter, but Patrick wasn’t patient enough to force a smile. He just looked at the massive map of the galaxy, which showed the distribution of warships of humans and Zergs. Did this woman really become a beam of light or a grain of dust in this infinite universe? Did she really disappear? He almost lost his breath. It seemed that his heart could finally feel the real pain after being tough and lonely for such a long time. It was just a little pain, which was not sharp. But it became stronger and stronger like a patient infected with the plague. He didn’t know since she had so much influence on his emotions. Maybe it was because he couldn’t control her, just as he couldn’t control the deepest, most dangerous secret in his heart, that he wanted to possess and control her. At least that way, he could control everything. Or maybe his heart had been tied up by their intentional intimacy and affection, by her face, her body, her joys and fears caused by him, and her growing love for him, altogether acting like an invisible chain? But he knew the fact was that she most probably had died, with a possibility of 99.9%. He knew that he didn’t want to admit this, but he could feel that his heart had been killed with that woman, and it would be buried in the deepest place of the universe with her. He had been unable to control her at last, and now he was even hurt by her as if a piece of his own flesh was ripped out of his chest. Patrick had been quiet since he left the combat commanding center in the space fortress, staring at the dark universe. He was absent-minded as he had never been before. Harvey felt sad for Patrick, but he knew this was not a time for sorrow, so he asked purposely. “Commander, if the Alliance doesn’t keep their promises despite the joint operation and doesn’t help us after they retake their two planets, we will be all alone to go into the Zerg planet.” Patrick looked at him, “Lucas Sterling was not reliable indeed, but what I believe in is the reputation and personality of Taron Locke, which has been impeccable for over 50 years. But...” he picked up the phone from the cabin wall, “Call Malcolm Gerald.” After the medium-sized aircraft that Patrick had taken left, Lucas stood in his own cabin, looked at the five beautiful blue planets, and sighed. General Harold, who was sitting behind him, said with a smile, “Mr. President, if we retake the planet, you will become the greatest President in history. Why are you still worried?” Lucas turned around, looking solemn, “Harold, you don’t know my worry for the future of the Alliance. We have no choice but to fight the invaders. If we lose the war, we will not stop fighting until the human species disappears. But the enemy inside us will be difficult to eliminate, just like a parasite.” “Do you mean…” “Yes.” Lucas said seriously, “Democracy and law are essential to keep a country in order. Another thing, since we have legal rules and laws, the Alliance was able to exist for so many years, with stable countries and technological advancements. But he, the mercenary, doesn’t obey the Alliance’s laws. They are unconstrained, wild, and only listen to Patrick Lewis’s order. If we win this war, they will have more respect from the people, and more people will have expectations of a “free” lifestyle. Our foundation and democratic society will be shaken. The cohesiveness between our five autonomous planets will be weakened, and the balance we have maintained for hundreds of years will be destroyed.” Harold suddenly became serious. Thinking about it carefully for a while, he nodded to Lucas. “You are right. Then why did you agree to give Planet Freedom to the mercenary?” “Harold, politicians like us, do things step by step. I will not give other species opportunities to win while we just focus on internal problems.” Lucas said with a slight smile, “The moment we defeat the Zerg is my opportunity to eliminate the pity of Patrick Lewis. I have made an oath to all the citizens that I will fight to the death to maintain the balance of the Alliance.” Harold’s back was suddenly covered in a cold sweat, “Mr. President, you’re going to...” “My upright son will not agree with me. He would only send Patrick Lewis to an open trial if I let him cooperate with Patrick Lewis.” Lucas smiled with resignation, “Taron Locke is old. I can’t believe he had a good impression on the brigand Patrick Lewis.” He looked at Harold sharply, “Harold, you are forty-three, aren’t you?”“Yes, Mr. President.” “The Alliance needs a younger and more competent marshal.” Harold’s eyes were becoming brighter as he looked nervously at the President, trying to suppress his excitement, “Mr. President, what do you need me to do?”