106: execution

In the vast and boundless expanse of the Milky Way Galaxy, a desolate, uninhabited planet hung solitarily in the cosmos.

At this moment, a starship bearing the distinct emblem of the Guard Division cut through the silent space, slowly approaching the planet's atmosphere.

As the starship gradually neared the planet, its hatch slowly opened, and a landing transport shuttle smoothly emerged from within, flying directly towards the planet's surface.

Powerful air currents jetted from the thrusters on both sides of the shuttle, propelling it rapidly downward.

The landing shuttle gradually approached the ground, its thruster power slowly adjusting, and it landed steadily on the planet's rugged surface, kicking up a cloud of dust.

The hatch slowly opened with a 'hissing' sound of depressurization, and a squad of Guard Division soldiers, dressed in snow-white uniforms, marched out of the shuttle with synchronized steps.

Among the Soldiers, a prisoner was being escorted, his hands tightly bound by special handcuffs, and his head covered by a black hood, completely obscuring his face.

This prisoner was none other than Wu An, who had been legally sentenced to death; his body trembled slightly, and his steps faltered, clearly filled with fear and despair.

At this moment, he was being escorted by the Guard Division to this desolate planet, about to face the ultimate punishment of execution by firing squad.

In the highly advanced Imperial Court, there were actually many more convenient and swift methods of executing death sentences, such as instantly ending a prisoner's life through advanced energy devices, or using acceleration technology to cause their vital signs to naturally fade.

However, for serious death row inmates like Wu An, who had committed numerous heinous crimes, the Imperial Court still retained the traditional method of execution by firing squad; Wu An's many egregious crimes fully met the standard for a serious offender.

The reason for choosing execution by firing squad was that this method allowed the prisoner to truly feel death approaching step by step, with every second spent in torment, providing a more profound psychological torture that made them pay the price they deserved for their evil deeds.

Wu An was tightly held by two Guard Division soldiers, one on his left and one on his right, stumbling forward towards the designated position.

The Soldiers' hands were like iron clamps, gripping his shoulders tightly, forcing him to his destination before forcefully pushing him to his knees.

At this time, two Guard Division soldiers stood a few meters behind Wu An and on either side of him, while the Guard Division officer leading the team and a Senior Judge from the Solar System Imperial Court stood a short distance away, watching everything with solemn expressions.

Once all personnel were in position, a suffocating tension permeated the scene.

A Guard Division sergeant jogged briskly to the officer and the judge, snapped his heels together, stood ramrod straight, then saluted crisply, and shouted in a clear voice.

"Reporting, comrade Judge, all preparations are complete. Please instruct whether to proceed with the execution!"

The judge nodded slightly and said in a steady tone.

"Execute!"

"Yes!"

Upon receiving the execution order, the sergeant quickly turned and jogged back to the execution site.

"First shooter, take position!"

The sergeant's command rang out.

One of the two Soldiers standing not far behind Wu An immediately took firm, powerful steps towards him.

Each of his steps seemed to tread on Wu An's heart, causing Wu An's heart to tremble violently as he approached, until the shooter stopped steadily exactly one meter behind Wu An.

"Support hands, withdraw!"

As the order was given, the two Soldiers who had been holding Wu An's shoulders slowly released their hands and retreated.

At this moment, Wu An knelt alone in place; without support, he seemed to lose his source of strength, his body uncontrollably trembling violently, every inch of his skin expressing the profound fear within him.

"Ready..."

The shooter, with a focused expression, slowly raised the energy gun in his hand, gripping the handle steadily with both hands, and slowly raised the muzzle, aiming precisely at the back of Wu An's head.

At this moment, time seemed to freeze, and everyone's gaze was fixed on that small muzzle.

"Three... two... one... fire!"

As the sergeant's command was given, the shooter pulled the trigger without hesitation.

Instantly, an extremely tiny laser, yet containing powerful energy, jetted from the muzzle, directly piercing Wu An's skull.

There was no deafening sound, no dazzling sparks; everything happened so cleanly and swiftly.

Wu An didn't even have time to let out a scream before he fell forward stiffly, crashing heavily to the ground, ending his sinful life.

That lifeless body seemed to declare the iron law that criminal acts will inevitably incur a heavy price.