He’s a formidable killer, known as the Empire’s strongest warrior, and it’s been proven that White Ghost’s strength is above those super Transformed controlled by the Elder Court.
Here he comes! He’s here!
Ahead in the corridor, a group of passengers with floating suitcases laughed and chatted as they advanced in the artificial gravity zone.
"All departments, stand by!"
Atro shouted into his collar, and figures hiding everywhere immediately tensed up as if facing a formidable enemy.
Through the corridor, Hanton, wearing a mask and a duckbill cap, chatted and laughed with Catherine, who was similarly dressed.
Catherine’s hands were in the pockets of her trench coat. Disliking the burden of a lady’s handbag, she always traveled light, her demeanor cool and breezy.
"Why is the space station in your hometown so desolate?"
"It’s a small place, most are ," Hanton replied nonchalantly, "Do you know what’s holding back the Empire’s population from growing further?"
"There are three factors. Super Administrative Stars like Yaha Star have a siphoning effect, drawing generations of young people away, causing small places to lose their young workforce.
Meanwhile, on the Super Administrative Stars, due to limited resources and space, the middle and low-income groups, toiling for a living, find the cost of raising children to be the biggest barrier to giving birth. Despite a population that could well exceed seven or eight billion, the growth rate has been negative year after year.
Small places have space and resources, but due to the shortage of young people and the majority being middle-aged and elderly, the growth rate is also negative.
The Empire’s population has always fluctuated in cycles, even if a new Administrative Star is opened and policy incentives are offered, it would still take at least several hundred years of development before it can become a small place within the Empire."
Although her question wasn’t about that, but...
"Let’s go," Hanton walked out of the glass door and smiled, "Returning home, we’ll give them a surprise. After all, you did promise to play my girlfriend for a while."
"Mm," Catherine responded indifferently, "I hope your parents will be happy."
"They definitely will," a sense of nervousness inexplicably arose in Hanton’s heart.
This was the special group that he had always been reluctant to face, but now had to... Huh? There’s still a welcome committee?
Ahead, a familiar-looking middle-aged uncle raised his hands in a gesture of an air hug and called out with a deep baritone:
"Welcome back, hero of this planet! You are our pride!"
Seven or eight young men and women ran over, pulling out portable fake fireworks that released ribbons and petals.
Two young girls, each showing a bright smile with eight shining teeth, quickly ran forward to offer flowers to Hanton and Catherine.
Catherine calmly accepted them, having been through her share of welcoming ceremonies when handling some missions.
Hanton had already recognized the greasy middle-aged uncle.
Cole Port, Imperial Military Intelligence Bureau, that Colonel full of talk about Imperial glory!
"Ha ha ha!" Atro came forward trying to embrace.
Hanton smiled with narrowed eyes, holding the flowers in his left hand and reaching out his right hand proactively.
"Colonel, long time no see."
"Oh, you actually remember me!" Atro switched gestures naturally, clasping Hanton’s right hand firmly, shaking it vigorously, "Welcome back for a family visit, Great White Ghost, dear Hanton! I sincerely apologize for my past arrogance and pride. I hope you can understand that sometimes our work..."
"That’s enough, Colonel. I am not one to sweat the small stuff. As a soldier of the Empire, I must obey orders,"
"I hope my performance in Cole Port did not bring shame upon the Empire.
When the intelligence department of the Guel Alliance tried everything to capture me, there were three groups claiming to be from the Military Intelligence Bureau that appeared before me. Unable to determine who were true Imperial soldiers, I had to hide my greatest secret.
Many things happened after that, which also brought me a lot of opportunities; perhaps this is fate—it has already arranged everything. So, I have no complaints."
"Oh, you really are!"
Atro’s eyes were filled with emotion, almost wanting to plant a kiss on Hanton.
But fortunately, Hanton wouldn’t trust any expression from such a greasy middle-aged man.
He was just releasing goodwill towards the Military Intelligence Bureau.
"Please, this way," Atro gestured to the side, "We’ve arranged everything for your family visit, and there are some little surprises I’ve prepared personally for you. Please, come with me."
"This is Miss Catherine."
"Oh, I know her, the famous Imperial Blade, captain of the super Transformed squad," Atro smiled with narrowed eyes, greeted Catherine, and then continued to pull Hanton along ardently.
The Military Intelligence Bureau has no ties with the Elder Court.
Glancing around, Hanton saw an abundance of White Ghost elements.
On the big screens, clips of White Ghost exterminating pests played; in the shop windows, various official White Ghost merchandise was displayed;
In the vertical train dropping from the Space Port to the surface, a ’passing’ boys’ choir sang praises of the White Ghost’s feats;
All along the way, Atro employed his years of social expertise to keep the atmosphere light-hearted, pleasant, and enthusiastic.
However, after reaching the surface, things started to get a bit outrageous.
Officials from Hanton’s hometown city hall lined up to welcome him, a group of enthusiastic and beautiful girls danced a lively samba in the biting cold, and Hanton felt an inner heat watching those bare waists as they danced.