281 Refusal.
Shi Lang and the rest of the team was surrounded by a group of people. They all had a probe flying over their shoulders, it was as big as a golf ball. Looking at it closely, one would find that it was a camera. The team gazed at these people and were ready to break out when Shi Lang let out a gentle cough.
The person from the opposite group said, “Hello sir, we are all reporters responsible for covering the events of this galactic showdown. May we ask you a few questions?”
Shi Lang heard the snorkel-like voice of the creature, and then he nodded. The creature in front of him was covered with hair from head to toe. He wore a glass on his nose, and after getting the affirmation he asked, “The people outside are calling you a dark horse. They say that you can probably take the first rank of the D-tier showdown. What do you have to say about that?”
The young general replied, “Every team involved in this competition has the capability to be the dark horse. They have all came so far with their hard work. So, I would not dare to say that we can come out on the top, but we will definitely try the best that we can.”
His answer was very hypocritic, and diplomatic, yet it managed to make the people revaluate this team in front of them. A lady humanoid reporter asked, “Sir, would it be alright for you and your combat team to discuss about the attack you all made in mid-air? Can you tell us what was your exact thought at that time?”
Shi Lang said, “When we dived out of the carrier, we found that the communicators that were blinking red a moment ago, had turned green. At that time, Lieutenant Ryan spotted the enemy team, and then I just gave the chase and attack command. We only stunned the enemy team. I repeat, that we only stung the enemy team with a paralyzing agent.”
His tone was calm, and even if he provided some details, they were all just to sate the curious reporters. The reporters all loved people who could talk. They did not want exact details, they only needed to hear some relatable words.
A reporter asked, “Sir, did you not think what will happen if the team you attacked was to be attacked by the others when they landed on the ground?”
Shi Lang still had a visor covering his face and hid his expression that meant ‘are you a fool?’
He said calmly, “We were told that once a team is lost, they will be extracted immediately. As a contender and the member of the galactic council, we believe in their arrangements.”
The reporters were impressed. Shi Lang had successfully dragged the galactic council to deal with the tricky question. This was not something that could be seen daily. Reporters from any civilization were people who could skin hairs, so this guy was too sleek to avoid them.
One of the reporters asked them, “Sir, earlier your actions looked compassionate to the people, and we thought that your team was different and did not believe in blood shed, but today a total of thirteen people lost their lives at your hands, what do you have to say to that?”
Shi Lang turned his head to look at the lama faced humanoid and said, “The reason we killed those people was very obvious, self-preservation. Do you expect me to walk in front of live fire and let the people aim at my head? I am compassionate and do not believe in killing people, but if someone want to aim at me, they should not be afraid desperate struggle.”
His words were concise and like a slap in the faces of the people who were thinking that he should act like a jolly guy.After a few more questions, and introduction of the team, Shi Lang asked the people to give way when he suddenly heard a question, “Sir, could you and your team please remove your visors? Can we click a picture for our article?”
Shi Lang thought about it and nodded, then they took off their visors and revealed the cream beauty and dashing personas of the Federation. The reporters took the pictures and they let the team leave.
…
The article was quickly published in the galactic journalism publications. It was actually a complete video with a text review of the reporter. A lot of people watched this and they had to admit, Shi Lang and his team were strong. Even in the video, they all sensed their aura vaguely, so they could imagine how it would be in front of them. Some thought that the federal team was just garnering publicity. While some praised the federal teams. They had become even more popular after the interview.
The news had reached the federation and the people all over the region were praising them. Even the allies, Arcadia and Neomonians, had sent congratulatory messages personally. Shi Lang informed the team to stay in their rooms and not go to the mess hall. They did not need to eat too much, but if they wished, they still had compressed food in their storages.
…
In the rooms, the team was immersed in recreational activities. Some meditated, and some, well they did what married and adults who like each other did. Yeah, in the team there were three couples.
Shi Lang was alone, and he was unable to focus his thoughts to meditate and called Amelia, only to find that the lady was leading the team to check out the new leads regarding a mission. He told her to be careful and the lady reminded him to be careful. The two people had their eyes glowing with colors when they were talking to each other. They were in love.
Shi Lang waited for the heat from the interview to subside, and only went out of the room in the morning. Today was a day off so that the injured in the last match could restore their skills. This accommodation complex had a gym designated for the people. Since, he was not able to deal with the chaotic thoughts, he found a way to vent.
He spend the whole day in a gym, where the gravity around him was ten times more. A few more people who were practicing, saw him and they could not help but sneer. They were sure that this guy will not last too long but to think this monster spent the entire day in the gym training his body and by the evening, he was almost able to move like usual people, without stiffness.
Shi Lang did not know did not know that he has been tagged as a monster in the eyes of his contemporaries. After a good sweat, he came out of the gym and found a burly man standing in his way. Shi Lang raised his eyebrow and asked in a calm voice, “Any problems?”
The man shook his head and said, “I do not have a problem with you, but I wanted to know you a bit better. You might not know me. Allow me to introduce myself, I am Kama Yutah. I am the leader of a squad in the Galactic Strike Force. We are interested in you.”
Shi Lang shook his head and said, “I apologize, but I need to go back to Federation and not be stuck here.”
Yutah was surprised to hear that this guy rejected the offer to join the galactic strike force. He nodded and kept his calm and asked, “I respect your decision, but what if I offer to provide accommodation to your family here?”
Shi Lang shook his head and said, “Even if my family agrees I will not leave my home. I was born a Terran. I serve in the army. So I will die as the ghost of Federal Army. Thank you for your offer.”
Yutah had found that this young man was loyal and he could not help but acknowledge him. He said, “I will find you for sparring after the contest ends. Try to live till then.”
Shi Lang smiled and said, “I intend to. See you later.”
Then he left the place. This incident was not witnessed by anyone, but it would have caused a commotion. Shashi had told him that the strike force was a strongest force and the criteria to join it was too hard, almost all the soldiers in the galaxy wanted in on this, but here he was, rejecting a golden invitation.
Shi Lang did not trust some stranger, even if his skills drew the other person, it was still to early. He returned to his room, took shower, and went to the mess hall. On the way a few people recognized him and greeted him. The gesture was reciprocated by Shi Lang.
He did not know but it was because of the aura of righteousness around him. When he said, that he was not a killer but will not go down without a fight, that inspired the other people as well.