Chapter 127: Another Aerial Pursuit
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Meanwhile, Zhao Chengming, stationed at the Crater Base, was also packing up, preparing to evacuate.
At this moment, the banquet hall of a luxurious restaurant in Hezhou City suddenly filled with representatives from several powerful and influential families. Each of these families possessed strength comparable to that of an ordinary nation.
A representative from the Shangguan family spoke to a representative from the Huang family: “Young Master Huang, is your Huang family truly planning to protect a forsaken scion who has long been estranged from your clan and allow him to return?”
The young master from the Huang family bowed respectfully and replied, “Young Master Shangguan, and distinguished gentlemen of the various families, I understand that our nephew nearly unleashed a new threat that endangered the interests of all your families. However, at most, he acted solely out of a desire to return to the family. Once he is reinstated, will this new threat still persist? They are but disreputable households unworthy of mention. At that time, we will ensure he apologizes sincerely to each family.”
After pondering, Young Master Shangguan responded, “Very well. On behalf of the Shangguan family, I agree to this proposal. I trust the other gentlemen share my sentiments...”
Seeing no objections, Young Master Shangguan continued, “Moreover, we must demand that Zhang Chengwei and Liu Youde provide us with explanations. Should they refuse, we will personally take action to eliminate them all.”
Young Master Huang replied, “Of course. As a merchant family, our meeting with them is already a courtesy.”
...
At the same time, in the Premier’s office of the Kongren Galaxy Empire in Basin City, Chief of Staff Moer Ross entered and reported to their Premier, Goba Xiaofu.
“Report, Premier. Our frontline has confirmed that the Gomar’s spaceship ‘Bingliang’ has been destroyed by nuclear missiles from the Yuri Gottne Group. The situation is largely resolved. The remainder involves establishing a blockade beyond the nuclear radiation zone and preparing for cleanup.”
Goba Xiaofu nodded, “I am already aware. The frontline commander Ji Long Kende just informed me by phone.”
Moer Ross then added, “However, Premier, there is something strange.”
Goba Xiaofu was taken aback, “What is it? The Gomar’s ship was destroyed by nuclear strike—it’s hardly surprising.”
Moer Ross explained, “First, the double mushroom cloud strike doesn’t align with the style of the Yuri Gottne Group. Second, they don’t have many nuclear weapons left. They already expended their nuclear reserves to destroy our electromagnetic railguns. They rely on technological superiority, so they wouldn’t carry many nukes. Even if they planned to use two nuclear missiles, they wouldn’t launch them simultaneously.”
Goba Xiaofu asked, “Then how do you think they would deploy them?”
Moer Ross continued, “Because their reserves are depleted after destroying our railguns, even if they had two nuclear missiles, they would fire one and wait to see the effect before launching the second, instead of firing both at once.”
Goba Xiaofu’s expression darkened. “Are you suggesting these two nuclear missiles were not launched by the Yuri Gottne Group but by another party?”
Moer Ross affirmed, “Yes, Premier. That is my suspicion.”
“Do you have a suspect?” Goba Xiaofu inquired.
“I suspect the Se Atlantis Empire beneath the Eastern Pacific Ocean,” Moer Ross said.
Goba Xiaofu’s face turned grave. “Why would they do this? Explain your reasoning.”
Moer Ross replied, “I believe the underwater human faction, the Se Atlantis Empire, intends to amplify the hatred the Gomar Empire from Sirius holds toward us, provoking them to trouble us directly so the Atlantis Empire can exploit the chaos and secure their own greatest benefit.”
Goba Xiaofu pondered solemnly, “Regardless, some things we must pretend to be completely unaware of. Coordinate more closely with the Yuri Gottne Group so they fully recognize the threat the Gomar people pose to us. They must understand the advantages of our temporary alliance against a common enemy—defeat the Gomar first, then deal with everything else. Understood?”
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Moer Ross assured, “Rest assured, Premier. Leave everything to me. It will be handled flawlessly.”
Goba Xiaofu nodded. “Good. Go!”
...
At the same time, Zhang Desen piloted his “Lifeline One” space fighter heading toward Muren. He planned to confirm they were not being tailed before proceeding to the agreed rendezvous point, Dregrek, to formally join up with the “Crater” ship.
Zhang Desen called out to Li Longfang, manning the rear turret, “Brother Longfang, it appears there’s no unwanted tail. In a few minutes, we should be able to fly directly to Dregrek and meet up with Brother Chengming and the others.”
Li Longfang replied, “I agree. With the moon out tonight, we can fully utilize the Tycho Crater on the lunar surface for navigation, rather than relying on that massive satellite from the Kongren Olmei Empire. Honestly, I always worry that using enemy satellites increases our chances of being detected.”
Zhang Desen chuckled, “Your worries are justified. I’m currently navigating using the equipment left by the ancient humans at the Tycho Crater Base.”
Li Longfang said, “To be honest, the moon is beautiful tonight. But we have no time to appreciate it—our troubles remain unresolved.”
Zhang Desen said confidently, “Don’t worry. So far, everything has gone smoothly.”
Li Longfang replied, “Indeed.”
Yet just as they spoke, three signals suddenly appeared on Zhang Desen’s radar, rapidly approaching their ship.
Zhang Desen sighed, “Just when I was about to call it a day, three annoying problems show up.”
Li Longfang said, “Only three enemy fighters. Let’s take them out. I won’t let any enemy planes tail us.”
Zhang Desen agreed, “Exactly!”
...
Soon, three Kongren Olmei Empire space fighters swiftly closed in. The lead pilot hailed them:
“Unknown craft, you are in our air defense identification zone. Follow us back to our airbase immediately. Do not test our patience.”
Zhang Desen ignored them. The lead pilot hailed again upon their silence:
“Unknown craft, you must comply. Do not test our patience. Follow us back now, or we have enough firepower to shoot you down.”
Still, Zhang Desen and his team did not respond. After some time, Zhang Desen sensed the enemy’s patience had worn thin and ordered Li Longfang:
“Fire on the lead fighter.”
“Roger!” Li Longfang responded immediately and opened fire.
Although the lead pilot did not expect immediate aggression, as an experienced Olmei pilot, he quickly executed a right roll to evade the attack.
Unexpectedly, his wingman number three was directly hit, rolling uncontrollably and crashing to the ground.
Li Longfang lamented, “Sorry, the primary target escaped; I only hit a secondary one.”
Zhang Desen reassured, “Don’t worry. We’ll take them all down together soon.”
Zhang Desen then executed a rapid climb toward the sky. The lead pilot immediately called his wingman:
“Wingman, the enemy resists our lead. Search for them at low altitude. Once I force them down, shoot them without mercy. Understood?”
“Understood!” the wingman replied.
Zhang Desen checked radar carefully and noted only one enemy fighter was pursuing. He smiled knowingly—half the plan was already working. The enemy’s arrogance was their downfall.
Diving into the cloud cover, Zhang Desen used it as cover to perform a 360-degree rapid turn, instantly pointing his nose at the pursuing lead fighter and launching an attack.
The lead pilot was caught off guard and was quickly hit, rolling and falling toward the ocean. His wingman shouted, “Lead, pull up! Lead!”
But the lead had no choice.
After a moment, the wingman, seeing the lead fighter struggling, called out, “Lead, activate your escape system! I’ll cover you until rescue arrives.”
The lead pilot, furious, thought back to the last failed mission that had tarnished his reputation. Activating the escape system now would admit defeat. If the wingman succeeded in intercepting the enemy, credit would go to the wingman, and their roles might even reverse. The wingman, though talented, had only served three months, while he himself was a veteran with nearly ten years’ experience.
If the wingman failed, he would never regain face among comrades. Neither possibility was acceptable.
He cursed at the wingman, “You idiot! What nonsense are you spouting? How can you say I’m done for? Climb and pursue the enemy immediately! I’ll catch up and back you up. Move!”
The wingman replied, “I’m ready to fire.”
Though the wingman quickly discerned the enemy’s intent, he calmly closed in.
Both sides soon reached a designated zone. Zhang Desen wasted no opportunity and opened fire.
Unexpectedly, the wingman performed a small dive to evade, then a small climb, circling 360 degrees to tail and attack Zhang Desen, nearly hitting him.
Concerned for the lead, the wingman didn’t press the attack.
Below was a large, deep pond with a small island slightly off-center. The shallow waters meant any crash would not cause a massive explosion nor allow the target to escape into the deep sea.
The wingman radioed headquarters, “HQ, the lead has been hit and is trying to recover. The target likely crashed onto a shallow island area. Please dispatch rescue immediately. I’m patrolling overhead.”
HQ replied promptly, “Good work. Maintain patrol. Reinforcements are en route and nearby.”
“Understood!” the wingman responded, beginning his patrol.
Upon checking the lead’s condition, he found the lead had also run aground but had not yet activated the escape system. Despite this, Dar Kind was still trying to restart his ship, but to no avail.
The target had crashed nearby. Seeing this, the wingman called out, “Lead, do you require assistance?”
The lead pilot, still struggling to restart, shouted angrily, “Shut up!!!”
...
Unbeknownst to them, Zhang Desen had not been hit. He sneered, “This wingman’s inexperience is going to cause big trouble.”
He immediately engaged radar lock, targeted the enemy, and simultaneously fired missiles at the two pursuing fighters.