Interstellar: Return of the Villain
Chapter 305: Staying On Elden Prime

Chapter 305: Staying On Elden Prime

As the meeting adjourned, the holograms of the admirals disappeared one by one. Only Conners and Dessel, who had attended in person, lingered in the room.

Conners, buoyed by his recent victory, wore his usual smug grin. "Well, it must have been a hard day for you, Rear Admiral Shedd. I truly appreciate all your hard work on Voidstar No. 1."

Dessel rolled his eyes so hard it was a wonder they didn’t stick.

He’d always known Conners was a snake, but his audacity today was remarkable.

Lyra inclined her head slightly. "You’re too kind."

Conners, eager to twist the knife, pressed on. "I must thank you—not just for defeating those ruthless space pirates and securing Voidstar No. 1, but for building such a strong foundation there. Thanks to your efforts, I can enjoy all the rewards with ease."

If he expected her to lash out, he was sorely mistaken.

Lyra’s expression remained serene, even magnanimous, as she replied, "The space pirates are indeed ruthless. I hope you return safely."

PFFT!

Dessel couldn’t hold back a laugh. As Conners turned to glare at him, Dessel simply grinned wider and said nothing.

Fuming, Conners stormed off, his robes swishing with the force of his stride.

Before leaving, he glanced back at the council chamber, his expression momentarily triumphant. ’Surely this time, Lyra’s trust in Frederick has fractured,’ he thought.

---

Inside, only Dessel and Lyra remained.

Dessel’s amusement faded as he sighed, his expression turning serious. "Your biggest problem is that your ambition is too obvious. The old guard won’t let you rise unchecked."

The Alliance had no tolerance for those who disrupted its fragile stability.

Lyra’s reply was cold, her words cutting like steel. "What’s wrong with ambition? You’ve spent years lying low and playing it safe, and now here you are—stuck on Elden Prime, wasting away in meetings and taking naps."

To her, a life without ambition was no life at all. Power and wealth weren’t just desires—they were necessities.

Though her tone was measured, her scorn was unmistakable. Dessel found himself momentarily at a loss for words.

He couldn’t deny it. He and Raphel had faced the same suppression during their rise. They were only called to the forefront in times of crisis, never allowed to access the true centers of power.

After a moment, Dessel chuckled dryly. "Ha, can’t argue with that."

He grabbed his hat from the table and inspected it absently before placing it back on his head. "The Alliance has lasted for thousands of years. The old guard hates nothing more than seeing the young rise above them."

His mind wandered to talented peers who had been driven out or stifled. Andre, for example, had left at the first opportunity, choosing to teach at the NMA rather than endure the bureaucracy.

Dessel was just venting his frustrations when Lyra’s reply sent a chill down his spine. "Then why should these useless old men live at all?"

He froze, watching as Lyra turned and walked away. Her steps were confident, her silhouette framed by the bright light streaming in from the hallway.

But despite the light, Dessel felt an unmistakable chill. The shadow she cast seemed impossibly dark and cold.

Valeria, still fuming after the council meeting, wasted no time contacting Frederick. Her voice was sharp, bordering on accusatory. "When did you become so intolerant? Lyra is far more qualified than Cohen to lead the Alliance into the future!"

Her frustration was palpable. Lyra was a rare talent—someone who had surpassed all expectations to achieve greatness.

"With her, we wouldn’t have to fear change. She could transform the Alliance, even bridge the divide with the Empire! She could unify humanity!"

During the meeting, Valeria had barely restrained herself from shouting.

On the screen, Frederick’s face was drawn, his expression marked by exhaustion. The faint lines around his eyes twitched as he replied, "Do you honestly think I’m suppressing her out of spite?"

Valeria lit a cigarette with trembling hands, her anger seeping into her movements. "Then tell me why."

Frederick was silent for a long moment before answering. "She’s brilliant and resourceful, no question. But her methods—she has no boundaries. The consequences of that could be catastrophic."

Frederick respected Lyra’s abilities, even admired her. But entrusting her with the Alliance’s future? That was a risk he could never take.

Valeria froze, her cigarette held mid-air. She took a long drag, the nicotine steadying her nerves enough to think clearly.

After a moment, she rubbed her face, fatigue visible in her every motion.

"Maybe you’re right. Or maybe you’re making a colossal mistake. I... don’t know."

The call ended, leaving Frederick to lean back in his chair, his usually stiff posture sagging. He pressed his fingers to his temple, trying to ease the headache forming behind his eyes.

...

Cohen and Thierry arrived shortly after, entering to find Frederick visibly weary. Whatever anger they’d felt coming in dissipated at the sight of him.

Frederick spoke first. "You’re here to plead Lyra’s case too, aren’t you?" His gaze settled heavily on his son and nephew.

Cohen, still simmering with frustration, blurted out, "Father, I don’t understand. Why are you doing this to her?"

Frederick was quiet for a long time, searching for the right words. Finally, he said, "When you reach my position, you’ll understand."

Cohen opened his mouth to argue but couldn’t find the words.

Thierry, standing silently at his side, had nothing to add.

The weight of Frederick’s authority and visible exhaustion left them both speechless.

As they left the room, the hallway outside was filled with a tense silence. Thierry finally broke it. "Cohen, we may not fully understand his reasons, but for now," he paused, choosing his words carefully, "what we CAN do is support Lyra however we can."

Cohen sighed but nodded, clapping Thierry on the shoulder. "You’re right."

Lyra never let setbacks stop her. She moved with relentless determination, leaving behind a trail of cold, calculated action. Cohen believed this time would be no different.

Outside the council building, Lyra was met by Phelixes, his face bright with excitement.

"Sis! Everyone’s been promoted! Let’s head back to Voidstar No. 1. Aurelius and the others can’t wait to show off their new insignias!"

He laughed, already making plans. "Once we’re settled, we should celebrate. You owe us drinks!"

Lyra’s response, however, was like a bucket of cold water.

"Relay my orders: Helion and Aurelius are to gather the remaining troops and return to Elden Prime immediately. We’ll regroup with the main force and prepare for deployment to our new post on Vangarou Continent in two weeks."

Phelixes blinked, his smile faltering. "What? A new post? What about Voidstar No. 1?"

Robin, quick to piece things together, frowned deeply. "Who’s taking over Voidstar No. 1?"

Lyra’s answer was calm but carried an edge that silenced them. "Admiral Conners."

The mood among the group shifted in an instant. Excitement and pride gave way to heavy disappointment. Even the most optimistic among them now stood like withered flowers.

No one voiced their bitterness, but the betrayal was clear. The triumph they had fought so hard for now felt hollow, replaced by a bitter sense of injustice as they prepared to move forward.

Lyra didn’t mince words when facing the press. "Since the garrison location has changed, I will no longer accept interviews regarding Voidstar No. 1. For any questions, please direct them to Admiral Conners."

With that parting remark, she boarded her Lev and departed, leaving the press in stunned silence.

One reporter scratched his head, visibly puzzled. "Wait... Rear Admiral Shedd led the effort to reclaim Voidstar No. 1. How did it end up under Admiral Conners’ command?"

The story caught fire immediately.

As the broadcast went live, Conners found himself cornered by a swarm of reporters before he could even attempt to dodge them.

"Admiral Conners, why are you now stationed at Voidstar No. 1?"

"Did you take credit for Rear Admiral Shedd’s achievement?"

"Was this the result of an Alliance Military Council decision, or did you exert influence behind the scenes?"

News headlines, originally prepared to celebrate Lyra’s success, were rewritten to focus on the brewing scandal.

The story quickly became a major controversy, sparking widespread outrage.

Journalists poured their frustration into scathing articles, condemning the injustice. Meanwhile, Lyra’s vast fanbase took to social media, expressing their fury and demanding answers.

The backlash was swift and severe, with both the military and Admiral Conners facing intense criticism from the public. The incident became a flashpoint for questioning the integrity of the Alliance’s leadership.