Chapter 163: SOS Signal
Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations
“Sir, the immediate threat in the vicinity has been neutralized,” reported the soldier.
Zhou Ling, clad in his combat uniform, looked up from his discussion with Lan Yin, focusing on the soldier. “Thank you, everyone. How is the status of the wormhole?”
The soldier saluted and responded with conviction, “The wormhole will dissipate within an hour. The engineers have deployed a jamming net to erase the Bugs’ markings. They won’t mistakenly enter Alliance territory in the future.”
“Very well. Inform the team to return to the starship for rest. We’ll depart for the capital planet promptly at eight o’clock tomorrow morning. ”
“Yes, sir!”
Lan Yin was about to stow away the signal receiver and head back to the starship when the device suddenly rang. A red dot appeared on the Al screen, pinpointing a location several dozen kilometers southwest of their current position.
“This is a distress signal specifically used by allied military forces. However, this is the border area. In just a few dozen kilometers, we’ll be in Empire territory. Why would there be another allied unit here besides us, and why are they so close to the Empire?” Lan Yin looked at Zhou Ling, seeking clarification.
Zhou Ling furrowed his brow and shook his head. He hadn’t received any information from his superiors about other teams being deployed to this area. Their mission this time was to address the Zerg incursion through the wormhole, but the Zerg presence had been minimal. Their team alone was more than capable of handling the situation, so it was highly unlikely that additional allied military units had been dispatched.
“Everyone else, return to the starship and await further orders. Lan Yin, come with me. Let’s investigate.”
Zhou Ling and Lan Yin boarded their aircraft and cautiously approached the location indicated by the red dot. Ten minutes later, they arrived at the crash site. A small spacecraft lay in ruins.
Zhou Ling and Lan Yin carefully examined the exterior of the spaceship and deduced that it was a small commercial vessel manufactured in the Empire. It lacked any distinguishing markings to indicate its affiliated trading company. “Doesn’t seem to be any immediate danger. Let’s proceed and investigate.”
Despite the fact that small commercial spaceships were typically unarmed, Zhou Ling instructed Lan Yin to remove the safety lock on their ray gun, exercising caution. Together, they carefully maneuvered over the wreckage and entered the spaceship.
Curiously, Zhou Ling noticed the absence of any signs of a struggle or blood along their path. It appeared that the spaceship had not accommodated many people. It was highly likely that it had fallen victim to an attack by interstellar space pirates during its transportation. Unfortunately, the control system had been destroyed, leading to its crash at this location.
However, how could anyone aboard the Empire’s commercial spaceship be aware of the Alliance’s distinct distress signal? Could it involve his brother and sister-in-law?
For a brief moment, Zhou Ling entertained the thought that his sibling and others had disguised themselves on a commercial vessel to flee from the Empire. Yet, he swiftly dismissed this conjecture. The individuals Su MO had sent back had reported no sightings of his brother and sister-in-law at the Golden Rice or anywhere else within the Empire.
So, who was the individual knowledgeable about the military’s specialized distress signal?
“Boss, come take a look. There’s someone here!” Lan Yin called out from behind the control panel in the spaceship’s control room, beckoning Zhou Ling.
Zhou Ling swiftly made his way over.
He cautiously assessed the person’s condition and realized that they only had marks on their head. There were no other injuries on their body, suggesting that they had likely fainted due to the head injury.
Zhou Ling intended to ask Lan Yin to transport the individual back to the starship for examination by the accompanying military doctor. However, his attention was captivated by the marks behind the person’s ears. He extended his hand and gently pried open their ears, revealing three rhythmic, opening- and -closing cracks.
“These… are gills. This person is a mermaid!” Lan Yin exclaimed, being the first to voice the revelation.
Zhou Ling furrowed his brow. The situation was undoubtedly more complex than initially presumed. Why would an empire-protected mermaid appear within Alliance territory? Moreover, this individual appeared to be the sole occupant of the spaceship. How did they come to possess knowledge of the Alliance’s distinct distress signal?
“We need to leave this place swiftly. The assailants might return!”
After Zhou Ling’s command, Lan Yin swiftly shouldered the mermaid and rushed out of the spaceship. Following suit, Zhou Ling exited the vessel and flung a timed, one-minute portable bomb inside. He knew that to prevent any complications, it was crucial to ensure that no one discovered the rescue of the mermaid. It was necessary to obliterate the spaceship entirely and eliminate any evidence.
In the midst of the ensuing explosion, Zhou Ling and Lan Yin piloted their spacecraft back to the starship unscathed, ensuring their safe return..
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