Interstellar: Return of the Villain
Chapter 341: Domestic Chaos

Chapter 341: Domestic Chaos

As refugees from other planets continued to pour into Elden Prime, the population soared while resources became increasingly scarce.

The government was stretched to its limits, struggling to contain the growing chaos.

Leona had been working relentlessly since the crisis began, pushing herself to the brink of collapse.

After signing off on yet another stack of documents, she buried her head in her hands, trying to will her mind into clarity. Her brief respite was cut short by a knock at the door.

"What now?" Leona rasped, her voice raw, as if worn down by endless shouting.

Her secretary entered, exhaustion etched into her face. "The Director of Planet Nagano’s Treasury is demanding authorization to restore Nagano’s banking system."

Leona didn’t lift her head, but her mind churned. "Absolutely not," she replied firmly. "Nagano was the second-largest economy. If its banking system is fully restored, Elden Prime will plunge into anarchy."

The delicate balance of order was already slipping through her fingers.

Her secretary’s phone buzzed. After a brief exchange, the color drained from her face. "But, the Treasury of Planet Nagano has already restored its banking system without authorization. Its residents are raiding supermarkets for food and water!"

Leona shot to her feet, only to sway as the room spun around her. "Outrageous!"

Nagano’s actions had set a dangerous precedent. Other planets quickly followed, prioritizing their own survival and shredding the fragile order holding Elden Prime together.

Defeated, Leona sank back into her chair, her face a mask of resignation. She waved a hand dismissively. "Let them do as they please."

Her voice was hollow, devoid of fight. The situation was spiraling beyond her control.

Her secretary, close to panic, pressed her. "But what about the other residents? What are they supposed to do?"

She was painfully aware of the stakes—her own family’s pantry was nearly empty, and supermarkets had been stripped bare.

Wartime restrictions prevented travel to neighboring regions for supplies.

Bang!

Leona slammed her hand on the desk, frustration darkening her features. "And what do you expect me to do?!"

But as the gravity of the crisis settled over her, she forced herself to steady. Taking a deep breath, she gave her next command. "Contact Admiral Frederick."

...

When Frederick received the briefing, his brow furrowed deeply. His sharp gaze swept the meeting hall, pausing on the other military leaders.

Many avoided his eyes, their guilt evident—they had played roles in the growing disorder.

Frederick’s voice was cold and uncompromising as he issued his orders. "Rear Admiral Cohen Whyte, deploy troops to suppress the supply raids. Assist the judiciary in arresting government officials and military personnel who defied orders and acted without authorization."

Even as the Alliance faced an existential crisis, selfishness and greed persisted. Frederick couldn’t help but wonder grimly if the Alliance was truly beyond saving.

At that moment, he realized there was no one left he could fully trust except his son, Cohen.

...

Meanwhile, Lyra and her Legion of Everglow soldiers were making their way to the aerospace port when they encountered Cohen. His unit had apprehended a large group of instigators, including members of the extended Whyte family.

Cohen’s troops were loading the offenders into transport vehicles. Despite the turmoil in the streets—flames of discord fanned by those far from the front lines—Cohen approached Lyra.

He seemed to expect her to say something, but her expression remained impassive. Instead, Zinnia, standing beside her, let out a bitter laugh.

"Looking at these people," Zinnia said, her voice laced with disdain, "it’s clear that Thierry and the soldiers of Legion Glory died for nothing."

Her words were heavy with anger and grief. Zinnia had lost loved ones defending the nation, only to see the chaos perpetuated by those who thrived in its shadow.

Cohen glanced at the disordered streets before turning back to Zinnia and Lyra. His voice was calm but tinged with exhaustion. "Protecting people like this may feel meaningless, but there are still countless lives waiting for us to save them."

These people needed more than just protection. They needed hope, homes, and leaders who could navigate them through the storm to a safer future.

Zinnia offered a faint, weary smile. Deep down, she knew she couldn’t even save herself.

With the prisoners secured, Cohen prepared to leave. As they passed each other, Lyra’s calm voice reached him.

"I told you back then—the Alliance has rotted to its core."

Cohen stopped in his tracks but didn’t turn to face her. "It’s true. But I’ll carry Thierry’s wish forward. I’ll water this dying tree and help it bloom again."

"Then give it everything you’ve got," Lyra said simply.

Cohen turned, his gaze following her retreating figure. Sadness flickered briefly in his eyes before he resumed his own path. The street stretched endlessly ahead, their paths diverging—one heading to the aerospace port to face external threats, the other to the Alliance Military Council building to confront internal decay.

A nagging premonition stirred in Cohen’s mind. Something was coming.

...

When Cohen arrived at the Military Council building, he encountered Chuck, who was hurrying back, drenched in sweat.

"Got any water? I’m dying here," Chuck panted.

Cohen produced a water bottle from his Space Button. Chuck grabbed it eagerly, drinking deeply before exhaling in relief.

"Where were you?" Cohen asked, his tone cool.

Chuck shot him a sidelong glance. "Looking for that mechanic Lyra keeps under her wing. Checked everywhere—no luck." After a pause, he added, "Based on what you know of her, where would she hide him?"

Cohen’s expression didn’t waver as he replied, "If I know her, she wouldn’t let you find him. And forget the schematics—you won’t get those either."

Chuck tossed the empty bottle back to Cohen, irritation flickering across his face. "Fine. That’s what I’ll report to your father."

It wasn’t hard to see why Lyra refused to cooperate. If the Alliance got their hands on her weapons, they’d betray her the moment she was no longer useful. Lyra wasn’t about to hand them the blade they’d use to cut her down.

Frankly, Chuck thought, it was surprising enough that she hadn’t disappeared entirely.

...

When Chuck reported to Frederick, he kept it concise. "No trace."

Frederick didn’t seem surprised. "I’ve made alternative arrangements."

Chuck hesitated, tempted to ask what those arrangements were, but stopped when he noticed the exhaustion in Frederick’s face.

Instead, he shifted the conversation. "I heard the Legion of Everglow is heading into space to intercept. Should we send reinforcements?"

"It won’t make a difference," Frederick said flatly. "Coordinate with the ground forces for defense."

Chuck frowned, puzzled. Even if the other corps weren’t equipped for combat, they could still offer medical or strategic support. ’Why is Frederick keeping Lyra’s unit isolated?’

...

Above Elden Prime, Lyra and the Legion of Everglow had already breached the planet’s atmosphere.

Solar storms flared intermittently, remnants of the Stellar Devourer’s activity. The energy disruptions made communications erratic and unreliable.

Lyra sat in the cockpit’s commander chair, leaning slightly to one side with her head resting on her hand.

"Looks like we’ll be on our own," Mandy said quietly from her station beside Lyra.

Lyra’s gaze remained fixed on the dark expanse of space ahead. "Isn’t that how it’s always been?"

Mandy chuckled faintly. "It is."

"Let’s hope Admiral Sparks and the rest don’t let me down," Lyra muttered, her tone sharp with disdain.

Moments later, their satellites pinpointed the location of the Stellar Devourer.

The creatures moved as a swarm, devouring celestial bodies and stripping them of their energy, leaving destruction in their wake.

Further out, Phelixes—enshrouded in a massive black hole—was advancing steadily. His passage consumed everything, leaving behind only empty voids.

Lyra rose from her chair, grabbing the intercom as she strode toward the launch bay. Her voice rang with command and clarity. "Prepare for engagement. Mecha unit, follow me. Fighter squadrons, flank from both sides. Keep the ships at a safe distance to protect the snipers."

By the time she finished speaking, she was already in the launch bay, pulling on her light mecha suit. Her expression was set, her movements practiced. Battle was imminent.