Interstellar: Return of the Villain
Chapter 26: Department of Command And Strategy

Chapter 26: Department of Command And Strategy

"Once we’re back, I’ll make sure you get the highest honor for bravery," Zarek said. He wasn’t too badly hurt. He was now sitting comfortably under the treatment device and flipping through the battle reports handed to him.

Lyra, serious as ever, asked, "Does the bravery award come with extra credits?"

"Absolutely! Anything you need, just say the word. Our lives are pretty valuable, after all." Zarek was genuinely grateful.

"Thanks," she replied, pausing for a moment. "I need level-nine strength-enhancing plants."

Zarek nearly choked, setting aside the light screen. He found her directness refreshing, though a bit surprising. "Our family’s powers are unique, so we do have a lot of strength-enhancing plants. But none at the ninth level. How about level eight?"

Level-nine plants were incredibly rare, usually snatched up by top Alliance forces before the news even got out.

Rowie listened quietly, not saying a word.

Zarek, not yet forty, was being groomed as the head of the Rymes family. Giving away level-eight plants, meant for his own advancement, could stir up some issues.

"Forget it," Lyra said. She needed level-nine plants to counteract the damage from the Soul Spike.

Zarek crossed his arms and scanned her slender frame. "I’m curious, why do you need something that powerful?"

Zarek thought to himself, ’She specifically asks for level-nine plants, but doesn’t seem greedy. It has to be urgent, but what will a healer need them for?’

"Can’t tell you," said Lyra.

"Alright, anything else I can help with?" asked Zarek.

"Yes, take me to Planet Nagano. Someone from Voidstar is causing me trouble."

In a way, Snakehead had correctly guessed Lyra’s plans. If not for her future goals, she wouldn’t want to deal with someone like Blackheart, known for his plundering ways.

Zarek was taken aback by her limited requests and offered, "Who is it? Want me to handle it for you?"

"If you can, sure." She smiled mysteriously. "The one after me is Blackheart."

Zarek chuckled awkwardly. "In a few days, I have to send Zinnia to Planet Nagano. You can stay with us for a bit."

He didn’t pry about how she’d made an enemy of Blackheart. To him, she was an enigma.

After Lyra went to the lounge, he immediately instructed Rowie, "Find out everything about her."

Two days later, they returned to Snowfall.

Lyra was greeted warmly by the Rymes family for saving the siblings.

Looking around, she noticed all the young family members were all men. As the only girl, Zinnia was clearly their treasure.

"You reckless girl, always getting into trouble! You nearly got yourself killed!"

All those men playfully slapped Zinnia on the back and ruffled her hair.

Hearing the loud smacks, Lyra pursed her lips: not so much a darling, more like a tough ball they loved to toss around.

"This must be Miss Shedd. Thank you for saving our wayward kids," Zinnia’s grandma said warmly, nudging her grandpa aside to grasp Lyra’s hand. "Oh my, why are your hands so cold? Turn on the heater, quick! How old are you? Are you in high school?"

Everyone’s gaze softened as they looked at Lyra. She seemed so delicate compared to this towering family, like a little doll among giants.

Lyra honestly thought dealing with Blackheart’s men might be easier than facing this.

Zarek stepped in, "We’ve been in space for a while, everyone’s tired. Let’s let her rest; she’s still recovering."

If these folks saw the cockpit’s condition, their sympathy would vanish fast.

"Right, right. Zinnia, Lyra’s room is next to yours. Show her the way," Zarek’s grandpa said.

"Got it!" Zinnia replied, pulling Lyra upstairs.

Once they were gone, the family’s warm expressions dropped.

Zarek’s grandfather kicked him sharply. "What’s going on? Explain everything clearly!"

Zarek rubbed his leg, wincing. "Grandpa, I’m still hurt."

With no choice, he explained everything honestly, making the old men fume.

"Those guys are pests!" the old man said, tapping his cane angrily. "I’ve lived over a hundred years and never seen such reckless behavior, abandoning a whole ship of passengers!"

Zarek sneered, "Some people in the military have gotten too arrogant these days. That’s why the Voidstar folks are thriving."

There was a brief silence before someone asked about Lyra.

"What’s the story with that young woman?"

Zarek lounged on the sofa. "Her? You won’t believe it..."

Rowie’s investigation results had stunned him. The famous Sis Marv, who had saved the admiral’s son, now aiming to join the NMA!

Piecing these events together felt surreal.

Finally, the old man commented, "She’s ambitious. Since she saved you, deal with those trailing her."

As for the ship incident, Zarek kept quiet, avoiding any tarnish to the family’s image of him.

Meanwhile, at Icicle, Liliana and her team watched as their target entered the military district. After two days with no sign of Lyra, soldiers had driven them away.

"What now, Miss?" someone asked Liliana.

"We’re going back," she replied, glaring at the patrolling soldiers and leading her team away.

They had no chance against Sis Marv’s clever tactics.

The NMA retest was just seven days away.

Lyra and Zinnia hurried to Planet Nagano, arriving just in time to stay near the NMA the day before the exam.

As they unpacked, Zinnia finally realized, "Lyra, why did you come here too? You don’t need to accompany me."

Lyra blinked. "I’m here for the exam too."

"Which one?"

"NMA."

For a moment, the tall girl’s face lit up with joy. "We’ll be at the same school!" She grabbed Lyra’s hand excitedly. "You’re a healer, so you’re applying to the logistics department, right?"

"The Command and Strategy Department."

"What?"

Zinnia was surprised, and when the retest list was published, the entire Department of Command and Strategy was abuzz with discussion.

"No way? Are healers this bold now? What makes her think she can compete with us?"

"She got the highest score in the written exam, that’s why. But she’s naive if she thinks that matters. The written exam is only forty percent of the total score. How many points can she get in the combat part? It’s a joke!"

"You don’t get it. I heard she came recommended by the higher-ups."

"So what if she has connections? Even the admiral’s nephew has to pass the exam. Let’s just wait and see the joke."

On the day of the official assessment, someone even started a betting pool on the forum.

"Can a healer get into the Department of Command and Strategy?"

The support rate was only 0.01 percent, and that was Zinnia’s vote.