Chapter 117: Shooting Down the Reconnaissance Plane

Some time later, the Atlantis reconnaissance aircraft reached the Zara region. Simultaneously, at the Olmec Empire’s Bulnai command center, a guard entered to report:

"Reporting to the Commander, we have confirmed multiple times that the unidentified flying object is indeed an Atlantis reconnaissance aircraft. It has now arrived in the Zara region and is continuing to advance toward our theater of operations at an altitude of 21,000 meters. Awaiting your instructions, sir."

Dadu Kuer replied, "Good, immediately order—"

Before he could finish, another guard rushed in and reported, "Commander, our radar units have detected two fighter jets from the Goba-Xiaofu faction flying toward the Atlantis reconnaissance plane."

Dadu Kuer was taken aback. "Are you certain? Is the information reliable?"

The guard answered, "Absolutely, we have verified it repeatedly."

Dadu Kuer felt a sense of disbelief, sensing a massive conspiracy unfolding, though he could not be certain. After a moment of thought, he told the first guard, "Go and tell them to stand by. Do not take off."

The guard replied, "Yes, sir!" and went to relay the order. Dadu Kuer then turned to the second guard: "Instruct the radar units to provide constant updates on the situation between the Goba-Xiaofu rebel fighters and the Atlantis scout. Don't hesitate to use satellites for real-time tracking. Do you understand?"

"Understood!" the guard replied and left to convey the command. Dadu Kuer fell into deep contemplation.

Meanwhile, in the Zara region, the two Star Galaxy Empire fighter jets approached their target after some time in the air. The lead pilot reported to ground control: "Ground Command, I have reached the airspace over the Zara region at an altitude of 20,000 meters. I have visually acquired the Atlantis reconnaissance aircraft."

Ground Command ordered them to lock onto the target and engage at will. Upon receiving the order, the lead pilot instructed his wingman: "Wingman, activate the light-filtering visor program on your fighter."

Though the wingman was confused, he complied: "Understood, lead."

Soon, having activated the filters, they accelerated to close in on the Atlantis scout, broadcasting: "Unidentified craft, you have entered our air defense identification zone. Follow us down immediately for inspection. You have entered our air defense identification zone—follow us down for inspection immediately..."

The Atlantis pilot, watching the approaching Star Galaxy Empire space fighters, offered a disdainful smile.

After repeating the warning several times with no response, the wingman asked: "Lead, the target is not responding. Shall we engage?"

The lead pilot replied: "Affirmative. Activate targeting systems. Prepare for conventional attack."

"Acknowledged!"

Realizing the enemy had stopped calling, the Atlantis pilot knew an attack was imminent. He smiled again, reached for a launch key, and pressed it. A program was immediately initiated.

As the Star Galaxy fighters prepared to fire, the Atlantis scout ejected several flares before banking sharply to the right in an attempt to break away. These were not standard missile decoys, but specialized blinding flares designed to overwhelm enemy pilots with intense light.

Seeing this, the wingman exclaimed: "Lead, your wisdom is incredible! If you hadn't ordered us to activate the light-filtering program early, we would be blind right now."

"Enough talk," the lead pilot snapped. "Stay on him and shoot him down."

"Yes, sir!"

The Atlantis pilot, seeing the blinding flares fail, grew alarmed. He banked hard to the left, but the Star Galaxy pilots were no amateurs. The lead pilot thought to himself, "Hmph! I was an elite pilot back at the Mountain Base. You think you can shake me off? You’re dreaming."

As the Atlantis scout attempted another turn to the right, the two fighters locked on and opened fire. The scout caught fire, spiraled, and crashed to the ground. The pilots immediately reported their success.

At the same time, at the Olmec Empire’s front-line headquarters in Bulnai, a guard reported to Dadu Kuer: "Commander, the Goba-Xiaofu group has shot down the Atlantis scout. They are currently returning to base."

"Very well, you are dismissed," Dadu Kuer replied.

He then picked up the phone and said, "Hello, connect me to Kaba Duer’s office at the new headquarters in Uliastai."

When the call connected, Kaba Duer answered: "Commander, Kaba Duer here."

"Is everything ready at the new headquarters?" Dadu Kuer asked.

"Yes, everything is prepared. We only await your arrival to complete the transition," Kaba Duer replied.

"Good," Dadu Kuer said. "But I have a bad feeling about this."

"Has something happened, Commander?"

"Did you know the Atlantis scout was shot down?"

"Of course. The Goba-Xiaofu group has saved us a major headache."

"That is exactly the problem..."

"What do you mean?" Kaba Duer asked.

Dadu Kuer continued: "Think about it. We have already achieved some successes in our offensive. Logically, even if the enemy is still resisting, they should be pouring all their resources into defense. They shouldn't have the energy to spare for other matters, right?"

Kaba Duer answered without hesitation: "Correct!"

Dadu Kuer pressed on: "Yet they still had the capacity to intercept the Atlantis scout. Furthermore, our monitoring of their radio traffic shows they were still issuing warnings as if they weren't the least bit concerned about the current situation. Isn't that strange?"

Kaba Duer pondered this: "But what reserve power could they possibly have? Surely not those immature clones? Commander, you should be well aware of that. Regardless, you should get to Uliastai as soon as possible. Everything is ready here; we just need you to take command."

"Very well," Dadu Kuer conceded. "Perhaps I am overthinking this."

Kaba Duer added: "Once you arrive, we can accelerate our push toward the Goba-Xiaofu stronghold and ask them for an explanation directly. Who knows? Perhaps they are looking to defect."

"Fine," Dadu Kuer said. "I will prepare and head over soon. Goodbye."

"I shall await your arrival. Goodbye."

Meanwhile, Zhang Desen and his team were closing in on their destination. After more flying, their transport ship finally reached the area west of Zavkhan. Unexpectedly, they successfully located the crater they had seen during their reconnaissance between Zavkhan and Bulnai. Zhang Desen’s eyes lit up with delight.

Li Longfang looked at the crater and asked, "Captain, why does this mountain look exactly like those on the moon?"

"Of course it does," Zhang Desen replied. "It’s an impact crater. It’s just that Earth’s geological activity is so intense that few remain preserved."

Zhao Chengming asked, "Are you interested in this site, Captain?"

"Indeed," Zhang Desen said. "Look at the size and the location—it's perfect. We can establish our base of operations here and begin our mission. Land the ship!"

"Yes, sir!" the team replied.

They landed the ship within the crater and began setting up defensive fortifications. It was as if the site had been custom-made for them. The crater was just the right size to conceal their ship from outside observers while preventing the defensive perimeter from becoming too large to manage. It offered high-ground advantages and, to everyone's delight, a natural spring, ensuring an ample water supply.

The fortifications were modernized quickly. They surrounded the base of the crater with barbed wire and mounted several newly replicated hand-cranked Gatling guns and Napoleon cannons, with the Gatlings serving as primary fire points.

They also installed Maxim guns as concealed fire points. These were not replicas, but relics left behind by the super-ancient civilization. Zhang Desen, inspired by the German "overhead fire" tactics from the Battle of the Somme in his original universe, positioned them behind the front lines to maximize their effectiveness.

Zhang Desen also had the coalition team construct bunkers. Unlike his Type 95 assault rifle or the special forces' Type 56s, the Napoleon cannons and Hanyang rifles were sensitive to rain, making covered positions essential.

Although the weather was clear, Zhang Desen insisted on preparing for the worst. Everyone threw themselves into their assigned tasks.