Alex pulled down his mask while gasping for air, clearly displeased with the lack of G-force neutralization during the recent ascent. "Damn it! What a lousy ship, not even a G-force neutralization device, damn it!" Although muffled by the mask, his voice still carried a distinct anger and impatience. He then roughly grabbed a nearby water bottle and took a few big gulps, attempting to quell his anger and discomfort with the cold water.
Sensing Alex's emotional fluctuation, Sarah lightly nudged him with her elbow and quietly reminded him, "Don't be so loud, just endure it." Her voice carried a hint of persuasion, seemingly reminding Alex that they were in a situation that required discretion, where any excessive words or actions could attract unnecessary attention. Sarah's face bore a hint of seriousness, and her eyes revealed a focus and determination towards the mission. She knew that maintaining composure and team cohesion was crucial in such a critical moment.
Alex, although still filled with dissatisfaction, tried to suppress his emotions at Sarah's reminder, refraining from further complaints. He took a deep breath, attempting to calm his mind, and realized that for the success of the mission, they needed to support each other and face the challenges ahead together.
As the ship's engines continued to roar, the sound was deep and rhythmic, like the distant purring of a cat, both deep and calm. Alex's gaze swept through the narrow cabin, finally resting on Emily, who had fallen asleep quietly, her head leaning against the side wall, breathing steadily and deeply. Leo, seeing this scene, couldn't help but feel somewhat surprised, finding it hard to imagine.
Jim explained quietly on the side, "This guy used to travel on spaceships a lot, so it might not be a big deal for her." There was a hint of envy in his voice. Perhaps for those who frequently shuttle between the stars, this environment has become a habit, even a comfort.
Alex casually flicked his wrist, and the light on his smart bracelet flashed, projecting a countdown timer showing that it would take another ten hours to reach Orlando Star. He announced to everyone in a low voice, "It's another ten hours to Orlando Star. During this time, feel free to rest or do whatever you want." There was a relaxed tone in his voice, as if reminding everyone that although the mission was tough, adequate rest before the operation was also necessary preparation.
As soon as Alex finished speaking, he unfastened his seatbelt, put on his mask, and prepared to explore the huge ship. His actions seemed to spark Jim's curiosity, and Jim immediately stood up, stretched, and with a hungry look on his face, said, "I'm starving, I'm going to the bridge to find something to eat, do you want to come, Leo?"
Leo shook his head, he hadn't fully recovered from the discomfort earlier and didn't have much of an appetite. However, thinking about having something to drink, he made his own small request: "No, can you bring me a glass of juice?" There was a hint of anticipation in his voice.
Jim nodded and readily agreed, "No problem!" After that, he followed Alex's footsteps and disappeared into the aisle of the cabin to find something to fill his stomach, perhaps even discovering some snacks that other passengers had overlooked.
This interaction slightly eased the previously tense atmosphere. Other people on board also began to move around, some preparing to explore the ship while others chose to stay put and rest. Life on the Train of Harmony was a short journey, but everyone found their own little pleasures in the process.
Leo sat restlessly in his chair, observing the small group of missionaries around him. They seemed to be passionately discussing certain issues, engaging in intense and enthusiastic exchanges. This scene piqued Leo's curiosity, but he had no intention of joining any of the discussion groups. His attention was quickly drawn to Sarah, who was engrossed in some kind of data. Unable to resist, he approached her and softly inquired, "What are you looking at?"
On Sarah's tablet was the latest battle report from the Orlando Star, sourced from the Interstellar News Network's real-time updates. She turned to Leo and explained, "Oh... I'm just looking at the battle situation on the Orlando Star. Well... as usual, Kukulcan's forces still have a slight edge over the Star Alliance. If this prolonged battle continues, the Star Alliance's defeat is only a matter of time." Her voice carried a hint of resignation and concern.
Leo stared at the flowing data and analytical reports, detailing the recent battlefield trends of Orlando Star across various locations, as well as the power dynamics between Star Alliance and The Cult of the Celestial Worm. Behind the data were the countless lives of soldiers and the suffering of civilians on the planet, all of which weighed heavily on Leo.
He nodded involuntarily and said to Sarah, "I understand. Our mission this time is not just about confronting a target, but also intervening in this interstellar war." His tone was serious, and the importance and complexity of this mission were deeply imprinted in his mind.
Sarah sighed softly and replied, "Yes, our actions may have subtle effects on the outcome of the war."
Sarah continued her analysis, "Will this war end because of the fall of Kukulcan? What do you think?" Her question seemed to test Leo, challenging his understanding of the nature of war.
Leo pondered for a moment, leaning back in his chair before slowly responding, "I don't know either... but with them lacking a strong and powerful leader, perhaps Star Alliance could take advantage and bring Orlando Star under their control?" His tone carried a hint of uncertainty, filled with doubt about the outcome and impact of the war.
Upon hearing this, Sarah smiled slightly and countered, "That's not necessarily the case. Even if Kukulcan falls, the beliefs and structure of The Cult of the Celestial Worm won't necessarily collapse. They might have a new leader emerge, or internal divisions could lead to more factions. For Star Alliance, the end of this war might not be as straightforward as we imagine." Her analysis revealed the complexity and unpredictability of the war, hinting that even after carrying out this mission, interstellar disputes and conflicts might continue.
Listening to Sarah's analysis, Leo couldn't help but feel even more weighed down. The impact of the war was far more complex than he had imagined, and their roles might only be a small part of the entire universal conflict.
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