The captain Gene Fisherly unbuttoned the top of his collar, revealing several layers of neck fat, and let out a long breath. He slipped his left hand into his pocket, fished out a red checkered handkerchief to wipe his forehead, while his right hand picked up the sheet of paper covered in names from the table, casually tucked it into his notebook, closed it, and fixed his gaze on Isaac Carter for a few seconds before saying seriously, “From now on, you must do two things.”

Isaac Carter nodded slightly.

“I’m very busy. I can’t possibly waste all my time on you—”

This opening line imposed a certain limitation on everything Maurice Baker was about to say next. As he pushed back his chair and stood up, he kept his gaze cold and unchanged, looking at the person across from him, and said, “Write down everything you know, word for word, without missing a single detail. Later, I’ll also need recordings of your other stories. This room is equipped with the most complete surveillance facilities—just imagine you’re a king, giving a speech to tens of thousands of people. Of course, you can’t see them, and they can’t see you.”

The last sentence was clearly the captain’s idea of a humorous remark.

Maurice Baker had already spent enough time in the interrogation room. What he needed most right now was a comfortable hot shower, a glass of ice-cold beer, and a jumbo beef burger. Of course, it had to come with country-style cream so thick you’d need a knife to cut it, and thick slices of roasted bacon or smoked chicken.

Even the most responsible intelligence officer has to eat.

Just as he was about to leave the room, Captain Maurice Baker seemed to remember something. He turned around and, in a slow yet persuasive tone, said, “I never wrong anyone, nor am I fooled by clumsy tricks. I don’t know why you insist on doing this, but it’s not smart. No matter how well a story is made up, a lie can never become reality.”

Isaac Carter slowly licked his lips, remained silent for a few seconds, then spoke with emphasis: “If I really am the only survivor of the reorganized 81st Division… how would you feel?”

“I’d be the first to take a photo with you, and I’d ask you to sign it—”

There was an undeniable certainty in Maurice Baker’s voice: “Everyone admires heroes. I’m no exception.”

With that, he turned and left the room, slamming the door shut and locking it.

……

The pointer on the scale was as loathsome as the fat clinging stubbornly to his body, refusing to go away.

Maurice Baker stared wide-eyed, his gaze full of intimidation and hatred, nervously and anxiously glaring at the thin red needle stuck at the “one hundred ninety-nine” mark. Unconsciously, he clenched his left fist, gritted his teeth, and a grinding sound came from between his lips. This futile standoff between man and machine lasted nearly ten seconds before the captain finally had to accept the reality of his overweight body. With a sigh, he shook his head and stepped off the scale in resignation. Perhaps as a form of revenge, he took a huge bite of the hot dog bun in his right hand and chewed vigorously.

Nearly three months had passed since the first interrogation. The captain’s desk was now piled high with testimonies and various audio recordings about Isaac Carter. For every person listed on his roster, Maurice Baker had pulled files from the military information database for comparison, missing not a single detail.

“Incredible, this kid’s father is actually a general.”

Sucking the ketchup off his fingers, he flipped through several freshly organized files. Maurice Baker’s gaze lingered on the last two names on the list: “Henry Carter” and “Helen Bolton.” His expression grew increasingly grave.

According to Isaac Carter himself, these two people were his biological parents. If it weren’t for the overwhelming evidence that he wasn’t lying, with the details in the files and his statements matching one hundred percent, Maurice Baker would never have said what he just did.

The files clearly recorded the lives of these two people.

Henry Carter, male, commander of the Earth Federation Army’s reorganized 81st Division. Identification number: AT05369940.

Rank at the time: Major General.

Resume: omitted.

Family members: omitted.

(Time and related records omitted) Killed in action during the S12 Fortress offensive and defensive battle. Listed as killed in action along with all members of the unit. No record of voluntary surrender or capture. Died at age thirty-four. Posthumously recognized as a “Federation Hero” by joint approval of the Federation Defense Headquarters and Parliament, and posthumously promoted (final rank) to Army Lieutenant General.

Helen Bolton, female, chief physician of the Earth Federation Army S12 Fortress Field Hospital. Identification number: AT05712184.

Rank at the time: Lieutenant Colonel.

Resume: omitted.

Family members: omitted.

Killed in action during the S12 Fortress offensive and defensive battle. No record of voluntary surrender or capture. Died at age twenty-eight. Posthumously recognized as a “Federation Hero” by joint approval of the Federation Defense Headquarters and Parliament, and posthumously promoted (final rank) to Brigadier General Medical Officer.

Section Six: Blood Sample

Much of the information in the files was replaced with the word “omitted” in double quotation marks. This was the maximum extent of access Maurice Baker’s authority allowed. For reasons of confidentiality, he couldn’t possibly know more than he did now. However, as the essential basis for determining Isaac Carter’s true identity, it was already enough in his view.