Chapter 109: Downing the Reconnaissance Plane

At the Basin Base, Goba Xiaofu was admiring the metal currency he had just issued, lost in self-satisfaction. His Galaxy Empire had been established, and the technology they had preserved was more than sufficient to support the implementation of mobile payment systems.

However, considering that he would soon need to recruit more primitive kin, or perhaps conduct business with them, Goba Xiaofu decided that a hard currency was necessary. According to all available intelligence, humans, all Saurians, and even the Atlanteans accepted gold as a stable medium of exchange. Thus, minting metal coins from gold was a sound choice. Furthermore, while some of his primitive Saurian kin were indeed in a tribal state, many had already experienced civilizations of their own—albeit those of the cold-weapon era. Regardless of their level of development, they all valued gold, making it a convenient tool for trade even if they refused to pledge allegiance to him.

Goba Xiaofu suddenly turned to Mol Ross, who stood nearby, and asked, "My friend, how have things gone?"

Mol Ross immediately replied, "Everything is settled. Our reputation has spread rapidly..."

Goba Xiaofu said excitedly, "Good, excellent. This will bring us infinite benefits. Even those who refuse to submit to us will become customers for our weapons and various modern industrial products. Either way, we stand to profit; it is a business that cannot lose."

Mol Ross added, "We also have those advanced industrial goods!"

Goba Xiaofu nodded enthusiastically. He then produced blueprints for weapons that were already considered obsolete by their standards and said to Mol Ross, "Find a way to sell these weapons to them. I want to make Yuri Gotner watch our achievements and be able to do nothing but stare in frustration."

Mol Ross looked at the blueprints—which depicted weapons reminiscent of the equipment used by the British army during the Napoleonic Wars—and replied with excitement, "Rest assured, Leader, I guarantee the mission will be accomplished!"

Just then, a guard rushed into the command room of the Basin Base. "Reporting to you, Leader and Chief of Staff, our radar system has detected a reconnaissance plane approaching our Lop Nur base. Its point of origin has been confirmed as the Grassland Base of the Olme Empire."

Goba Xiaofu and Mol Ross exchanged glances. "Transmit the data to the command room in real-time," Goba ordered. "Order the air defense forces to shoot it down."

"Yes, my Leader!" the guard replied, rushing off to convey the order.

The Olme Empire’s reconnaissance plane was flying toward Lop Nur. It had been dispatched because radar tracking of unidentified enemy aircraft returning from the Shu-Chuan region had pointed toward this area, prompting a direct investigation.

The pilot of the Olme reconnaissance plane was reporting to his headquarters: "Northwind One reporting. I am flying according to the planned route. Nothing discovered yet, but I am nearing Lop Nur."

In the Air Force Command Center within the Olme Empire’s Grassland City, the Intelligence Director was personally overseeing the mission. Hearing the report, he picked up the communicator: "Very good. Continue the mission and report immediately if anything happens."

"Understood!" the pilot replied.

However, the pilot was unaware that in the Galaxy Empire’s air defense command center, General Cade Hole had already received orders to destroy the intruder. Watching the blip on the radar screen, Cade Hole said with disdain, "Activate the radar lock-on system!"

"Yes!"

The system quickly locked onto the Olme reconnaissance plane. Because the surrounding regions were inhabited primarily by primitive humans or their own primitive kin, vigilance had largely eroded. The reconnaissance plane was not even equipped with a radar-warning receiver, so the pilot remained completely oblivious to the fact that he had been targeted.

The pilot reported again: "Headquarters, I have reached the edge of Lop Nur. It seems there are many primitive kin there... wait, there is modern agricultural equipment."

Simultaneously, General Cade Hole issued the command: "Power up the anti-aircraft laser cannon."

"Understood, anti-aircraft laser cannon powered up."

At the Olme Air Force headquarters, Intelligence Director Kaba Dur asked, "Are you certain it is modern agricultural equipment?"

"I am certain," the pilot replied. "I will descend to a lower altitude to take photographs and transmit them in real-time. Please stand by to receive them."

"Good, stay safe," Kaba Dur said.

"Understood!"

At that moment, General Cade Hole gave the order: "Fire the anti-aircraft laser cannon. Destroy the target."

"Understood!"

The beam struck the target instantly. The Olme Air Force headquarters heard only a brief scream from the pilot—"Ah!"—before the connection was lost.

The Olme command attempted to hail the pilot repeatedly: "Northwind One, this is Headquarters, please respond!" But all attempts were met with silence.

Meanwhile, at the Galaxy Empire’s Chief of Staff office, Mol Ross received a call from General Cade Hole. "Reporting, Chief of Staff," the general said excitedly, "First shot hit the target. The enemy reconnaissance plane has been destroyed."

Mol Ross asked, "Say that again?"

"First shot hit the target. The enemy reconnaissance plane has been destroyed."

Mol Ross smiled. "Excellent! This is the first defensive battle since the founding of our nation. You have displayed our national power and shown the enemy that we are not to be trifled with. I will report this to the Leader and request commendations for you. Continue your efforts and bring down more of their planes."

"Thank you, Chief of Staff! We will ensure that the enemy never returns!"

After hanging up, Mol Ross went to report to Goba Xiaofu.

In the command room at the Olme Empire’s Grassland City, Kaba Dur approached Yuri Gotner. Yuri looked up from his work. "My friend, I assume you have brought me intelligence on the enemy’s position and strength?"

Kaba Dur said nervously, "Apologies, my Leader. Our reconnaissance plane has been shot down."

Yuri Gotner asked directly, "Where is the enemy located?"

Kaba Dur breathed a sigh of relief. "They are in the vicinity of Lop Nur."

Yuri frowned. "Lop Nur? They are there?"

"Yes. Before being shot down, the pilot reported seeing the edge of Lop Nur and modern agricultural equipment. As he attempted to get closer for reconnaissance, he was suddenly hit by unidentified fire."

Yuri Gotner pondered this. "It seems their new base is near Lop Nur. With its abundant water and natural resources, it is indeed a prime location."

Kaba Dur stepped forward. "My Leader, perhaps we should..."

Yuri interrupted him. "Wait. Let me think. Leave all the data here. Then, go and summon Dadu Kur and Damor Jin, who are currently organizing the troops. We will hold a small, special meeting."

"Yes, my Leader!"

What they did not know was that Zhang Deshen had already intercepted everything through the Olme Empire’s network. While Goba Xiaofu’s network remained independent and inaccessible to Zhang, the data was sufficient to alert him to the hidden threat that was Goba Xiaofu.

Back at the Basin Base, Goba Xiaofu asked after hearing the report, "Is our army ready?"

"Fully prepared," Mol Ross replied. "Although it is a new force, it numbers 500,000 and is well-equipped. If the Olme Empire attacks, we can guarantee they will not return."

Goba Xiaofu slammed his hand on the table. "Good. We must win this, and our propaganda must be handled perfectly. If we succeed, our market will expand, and our influence among the primitive kin will grow even stronger."

Mol Ross then added, "My Leader, I have estimated the likely approach paths for Yuri Gotner’s forces. In any scenario, the battle zone will be close to the human Gondor tribe. As they are servants of the Gomal people from the planet Gomal in the Sirius B system, they represent a security risk. Should we take this opportunity to eliminate them along the way?"

Goba Xiaofu considered this. "A good point. I have no objection. Go and draft a detailed plan; I want to see it as soon as possible."

"Yes!" Mol Ross replied.