The two of them got into the car, and the stealth robots ran along behind. Afraid they wouldn’t be able to keep up, De Silva told the driver to go slowly. The girl, sitting in the front passenger seat, turned to ask, "Sir, what kind of support do you need from the Si City side? How much personnel should we bring?"
"Well…" De Silva hadn't considered this and was at a loss for an answer.
Alena interjected, "We have our own arrangements. We don't need your help. Just give us the location."
"But there are only two of you. That's too dangerous."
Alena smiled. "Thank you for your concern. We know what we're doing."
After about forty minutes, the car stopped at a gas station. The girl said, "This is as far as we can take you. Ahead is Nine Stars United territory." She then took out a map, unfolded it, and pointed to a building. "Our people are being held in there."
"How far is it from here?" De Silva asked.
"About two kilometers," the girl replied.
After the two locals left, the brother and sister discussed their next move. "Brother, what if we just wait here and let two of the Guardians go rescue them?"
This was precisely what De Silva had been thinking, though as a man, he felt awkward being the one to suggest it. It was as if Alena had read his mind; they were perfectly in sync. He immediately nodded in agreement. Two of the stealth robots received their orders and departed, while the other two remained on standby.
They found a secluded spot near the gas station to sit and wait. Alena took off her shoes and used them as a cushion. De Silva sat directly on the ground.
"Brother, the ground is so dirty!"
"It's fine. My pants aren't clean either."
"You really should find a girlfriend to take care of you."
"A pity all the women leave me!" De Silva sighed, then asked, "What about you? Do you have a boyfriend?"
"Plenty of men chase after me, but I'm not interested in any of them."
"Are you in love with Mr. Simon? It's a shame he looks like he could be your elder now."
"Why don't you give him a dose of 'Telomere Rejuvenation Liquid'?"
"Absolutely not. The more people who know, the more dangerous it becomes. Besides, he's an outsider."
"What about Mom? Why didn't you give it to her?"
"I talked to her about it. She said she doesn't need it, that she wants to grow old naturally."
"Did she really say that?"
"Yes. She still resents Father in her heart and doesn't want to use anything of his. She still remembers that slap from all those years ago as if it were yesterday."
As they were talking, one of the stealth robots suddenly spoke. "Someone's coming."
They quickly stood up. The newcomers were three Nine Stars United patrolmen.
"Who are you? What are you doing here?" one of them asked.
Alena put her shoes on and stepped forward. "Sir, we're waiting for someone."
"Waiting for who?"
"Our friends."
The man looked them up and down. "Are you two married?"
"No, we're brother and sister," Alena explained with a smile.
"Then why are you sneaking around in such a secluded place?"
De Silva flared up at that. "Sneaking around? Don't talk nonsense!"
Another patrolman whispered something in the questioner's ear, and his expression changed instantly. "You two are coming with me."
"On what grounds? We can't even sit here?" De Silva yelled.
Alena pulled his hand and whispered, "Don't waste your breath on them. Tell the Guardians to act."
Before the words left her mouth, a loud "BOOM" echoed from a short distance away, followed by the eruption of gunfire. The three patrolmen knew something was wrong. One of them grabbed Alena's arm, pulling her toward him.
"Guardians, kill them!" De Silva roared.
The three men froze, wondering what he was yelling about. Could there be someone else here? The next moment, they felt a sharp pain in their backs and collapsed, unable to move. The gunfire grew closer.
"Let's get to the car!" De Silva yelled.
The car was the one the girl from the City-State had left them. With fourteen people rescued, one car wasn't enough. They solved the problem by hijacking a truck. The four stealth robots provided cover from the rear, pinning down the pursuing Nine Stars United forces.
Somewhere in Asia, at the headquarters of the Nine Stars United, Ethan flew into a rage upon hearing the news, smashing his fist on the table.
"Calm down," Jarat advised. "We need to prepare for war with the City-State."
Nandi spoke up. "How did people from the City-State infiltrate our base without a sound? Could it be they have stealth units too? Does something else like Lady Uwa's device exist in this world?"
"If they really have a stealth cloak, we're in big trouble," Jarat said worriedly.
"Could it be that the City-State killed Lady Uwa and stole her stealth cloak?" Paitun speculated.
Nandi nodded. "That's a real possibility. It would explain why they dared to launch a raid so soon after her death."
Paitun looked at Bayu, who had been silent. "Father, what are you thinking?"
"I'm wondering what we'll do if the City-State uses our old trick against us."
"You mean, using the stealth cloak to assassinate us?"
"Exactly. It's almost impossible to defend against," said Ethan, who had now calmed down. "For now, none of us should go out. We'll install sprayers at all entrances and exits. If a stealth user tries to break in, we'll know immediately."
"Brother, that's a good idea!" Nandi praised.
"Should we report our situation to Miss Catherine and see if she has a better solution?" Paitun suggested.
In the future, after listening to their report, Catherine offered no better solutions, merely praising the one they had come up with. Enos was furious when she found out. "You're completely on the side of the Nine Stars United now."
"I didn't say anything of the sort," Catherine retorted.
After they parted ways, Enos secretly took out a time phone. It was a copy she had made of Catherine's. She had contacted Alice two weeks ago and told her about the events of the future, but unfortunately, Alice was powerless, still imprisoned in the Eagle's Nest.
Just then, Dan appeared behind her and suggested, "Let's steal her time phone. That way, she won't be able to contact the past."
"I don't know if that's right," Enos hesitated.
"For the past ten years, with her help, the Nine Stars United has expanded far faster than the City-State. If this continues, the City-State will have no room to develop," Dan said. Seeing her silence, he continued, "If you don't want to do it, I will. But you have to create an opportunity."
"No, I'll do it myself."
The two of them had no idea that their entire conversation was being recorded by a hidden camera. Catherine sneered inwardly. The two of you think you can fight me? She acted immediately, luring the pair into a stone room and forcing them to hand over the time phone. Feeling guilty and in the wrong, Enos complied.