Interstellar Survival: Invasion

Chapter 161: Genetic Lock

"All soldiers forged by the Sacred Wing race will remain under their control, especially for clone soldiers like what you received from them. The Sacred Wing race has full control over them through the genetic locks in their bodies," said Master Crystal.

"Genetic locks? Where were the locks installed?" asked Maley in astonishment.

"Here," Master Crystal pointed at Maley's head.

"Master, can you tell me more? I apologize for being rude earlier," said Maley, who was starting to get nervous.

"I've been standing for too long. My lips are parched, and I'm even feeling light-headed from all the standing. I can't talk anymore," Master Crystal started acting up.

'Sigh. Why are these cats all the same?' I thought with a sigh.

"Yes, that's my mistake. Men, get our guests seated and serve them some food and drinks," ordered Maley loudly.

The warriors that had been listening to Master Crystal understood why Maley was nervous. The issue also concerned their survival. Thus, they worked quickly to carry some seats in and fill the table with food and drinks.

Looking at the grass and worms on the table, Master Crystal started cursing inwardly. He decided to take a sip from the yellow beverage, but a look of suffering covered his face the moment he tasted it. Both Baron Sisse and I lost all interest in the food and drinks before us.

"Get me a piece of that bread as well," demanded Master Crystal as he pointed at Wind Spirit's bread.

With a gesture from Maley, the nanny, Dayu, hurriedly took out a piece of bread from her backpack and handed it over. Master Crystal took the bread, and under Wind Spirit's furious gaze, he started eating.

"During the birth of these clones, the Sacred Wing race had altered a part of their genes. Thus, there exists a unique command that they will obey unconditionally. The moment the command is issued, they will fall under the control of the one who issued the command. In other words, the Sacred Wing race can easily control the course of this battle," said Master Crystal.

Chief Maley broke out in cold sweat upon hearing that. He could no longer sit still.

"Yes, that sounds about right. I heard before that some among the Wargods also have a close connection with the Sacred Wing race. Based on what I know about Emperor Fille, he will definitely not allow you to become the sole hegemon of this planet," added Baron Sisse, further piling onto Maley's worries.

"Damn it! I knew those bastards were crafty! Ever since we started working together, the Sacred Wing race has never shown me any respect. Even when delivering the clones, they did not bother showing themselves. All that was left was a letter from their elder," said Maley.

"Oh? You got a letter? What's in the letter?" asked Master Crystal.

"Only three words. Kill without mercy," said Maley furiously.

"What does that mean?" asked Baron Sisse.

"What else? They want me to wipe Gunda's army and leave no survivors," said Maley.

"Have you repeated the order to your soldiers?" Master Crystal hurriedly asked.

"Yes, the first thing I did was send the order to all the soldiers and have them follow it," said Maley. From his voice, he was starting to panic.

"Shit!" Master Crystal exclaimed. This was not a word anyone here wanted to hear from him at this moment.

"What is it, Master? Tell me!" Maley asked. It even sounded like he was about to cry, showing a completely different appearance than the cold and valiant warrior that I saw earlier.

'Looks like this fellow is quite weak on the inside,' I thought, feeling somewhat glad to see how he was behaving.

"Those words are none other than the command for the genetic lock. The moment you uttered them, the clones' secret order was activated," said Master Crystal in an unhurried manner.

"And what is the secret order, exactly?" asked Maley.

"Kill without mercy. You have your answer. Anyone apart from the clones is to be killed without mercy," said Master Crystal bluntly.

The barbarians present could no longer keep their calm. The soldiers of Gunda's army were not the only ones surrounded. The barbarian army was similarly surrounded by clones.

"The Sacred Wing race is achieving two goals with one move. What a ruthless move. With this move, they can not only eliminate those loyal to the king but also get rid of the biggest resistance on the planet, the barbarians," said Baron Sisse.

"I have a question. Why are Emperor Fille and the Sacred Wing race so sure that Maley would utter the command out loud? Also, how would they know about Maley's military operation?" I asked.

"Hehe, you're still too inexperienced, young man. This entire operation is basically part of Emperor Fille's schemes. Even if Maley had not uttered the command, there would be someone to bait the words out of his mouth," said Master Crystal confidently.

"You mean there is a spy from the Sacred Wing race around me? Who is it? I'll dig him out!" said Maley ruthlessly after recollecting himself.

"Who else? Her," Master Crystal pointed at Wind Spirit.

"Old fart, what in the world are you saying? Just because I didn't help you earlier, you're trying to frame me with such a big lie?" argued Wind Spirit in an agitated manner.

Wind Spirit did not look like she was lying to me.

"You're accusing the princess? But that doesn't seem likely. She is here mainly to observe. Everything I have done was in accordance with my own thoughts and unrelated to her," said Maley with a shake of his head.

"Yes, she hadn't participated in your planning, but she has been constantly sending information about you to the empire. They can easily build their plans around what you're doing," said Master Crystal, presenting a convincing argument that nobody could argue against.

"Assumptions! You're basing everything on pure assumptions! My task has always been to observe and report what I see to the empire. I haven't participated in any military operation or planning," Wind Spirit continued arguing resolutely.

"The more you say that, the more you prove that I'm right. With your character, you will definitely do the opposite of what your father wanted you to do. Based on what I know about him, he must have reminded you repeatedly to not accurately report what you see. But you're young and rebellious. You refuse to listen to your father and are instead loyal to the emperor. Thus, you have been reporting everything as accurately as you can," said Master Crystal loudly.

That was enough to stun Wind Spirit. She loosened her grip on the bread in her hand, and it dropped to the ground. Without a doubt, Master Crystal was completely right. Emperor Fille had known how she would act and had made full use of her. In terms of grasping someone's personality, the emperor was among the best.

"Princess, is your kin telling the truth?" asked Maley.

"I don't know. My head hurts. I believe he is wrong, but my father did tell me repeatedly to not report the truth before I left. I don't know anymore," said Wind Spirit as she covered her ears and shook her head madly.

"What should we do now?" asked Maley helplessly.

This was our chance for a comeback. Just as I was about to speak, one of Maley's guards stepped forth.

"Chief, you're being silly! Gunda's army is already on the brink of destruction while you're here letting this old cat confuse your mind. It doesn't matter if he's telling the truth. We'll kill them first before going out to take care of the mess. I'll personally crush all traitors for you!" said the guard confidently.

"What is your aim? Who's the boss here? Why are you in such a rush to kill them? Do you have a hidden goal? Killing them will make it even easier for the clones to destroy us. With me out of the way, you'll be able to rise up and take my position, right?" Maley said, turning into his same cold-leader self.

The guard was greatly frightened by Maley's words and hurriedly knelt onto the ground and started apologizing. Many leaders did not mind bowing to external parties but would be unwilling to let go of their power internally. Maley was one of them.

"Master, do you have any way to help us?" Maley ignored the kneeling guard and turned around to look at Master Crystal.

"The most important thing for us to do is to stop the attack on Gunda's army. After all, your army will be the next target after the clones destroy Gunda's army," suggested Master Crystal.

"There is a commander called Dilo among the clones. He is in charge of the assault," said Maley.

"Call him over and order him to stop. If he refuses, arrest him immediately. Remember, remove his communicator before he enters the tent," said Master Crystal.

Maley looked at a guard beside him, sending the guard to carry out the task.

Wind Spirit was still staring blankly ahead, so Master Crystal comforted her, "Girl, stop worrying. You did nothing wrong here. You were merely being manipulated by the emperor."

"I'm not worried. I'm merely recalling all the events that transpired after I landed on this planet. I did discover some oddities. For some reason, I was able to constantly and randomly receive new information. From my time with the Kenante Kingdom until my time with the barbarians, a secret force seems to be steadily guiding me forward," said Wind Spirit.

"Hehe, you're still young. Be patient and learn more from your old man. I'll teach you more in the future if we get the chance," said Master Crystal.

"Reporting to the chief, the commander of the special forces, Dilo, is here," a loud voice came from outside the tent.

"Come in," said Maley.

A barbarian commander without his communicator and weapon walked in. Unlike the other barbarians who were darker in tone, this barbarian commander had fairer skin, which was the result of spending a prolonged amount of time outside the Wargod race's home planet.

"Chief Maley, the fighting is intense. Why did you call me back so urgently? Is there a new order?" asked Dilo.

"It's nothing too important. Commander Dilo and our brothers have been working hard. Gunda's army is encircled and out of supply. It is only a matter of time before they fall. I believe we don't need to rush the attack. We need to treasure the lives of our soldiers. I intend to keep them trapped and let time do the job for us by starving them to death," said Maley in an unhurried manner.

"Chief, the enemy army is on the verge of collapse. They have no combat strength to speak of. Give us three more hours. I guarantee none of them will survive. We can't let go of this precious opportunity. Even if we attack now, we won't have many casualties. Letting them recuperate will only lead to higher casualties down the road," argued Dilo. Unsurprisingly, he refused to obey the new order.

When Maley heard Dilo's rejection, he recalled Master Crystal's words. A murderous look covered his face.

Holding himself back from flipping out, Maley said coldly, "We're at war. During war, the commander's orders are absolute. How can I continue leading the army in the future if I obtain victory due to a disobedient soldier?"

Dilo stared at Maley incredulously before saying, "Yes, superior. I'll notify the soldiers to stop attacking."

I was relieved to hear that. At the very least, we were able to stop the battle. It would seem that this mission wasn't as hard as Master Crystal had guessed. After finishing his words, Dilo turned around to leave.

"Men, arrest Commander Dilo," ordered Maley coldly.