Chapter Nineteen: Turmoil on the Journey Down the Mountain

Just as the two Terrans were still staring at each other in bewilderment, unable to react, Yuri Gotner, seated on his desk, suddenly slammed his fist down with such force that the resounding “bang” snapped everyone in the office—including the two stunned Terrans—back to reality. They all knew at that moment the Leader’s anger had been ignited.

Indeed, Yuri Gotner roared at them, his voice echoing through the room:

“Dahl Kind! Do you know what you have done?!”

Dahl Kind could only lower his voice and answer obediently:

“My Leader, I was merely attempting to restart the space fighter. I did not transmit any classified information. Perhaps there’s been some mistake, or it’s utter nonsense.”

Yuri Gotner replied sharply:

“Very well. Both of you, read the entire newspaper thoroughly. Once you’re finished, we’ll discuss it properly. There are chairs beside you—sit there and read. I’ll wait here.”

Dahl Kind and his wingman immediately responded in unison:

“Thank you, Leader…”

They began to read together.

It turned out that when the Director of Intelligence of the Terran Orme Empire decided to take Dahl Kind and his team to search for Zhang Desen, he also issued each of them a recording chip containing all the data from the operation. This chip held top-secret intelligence from Orme’s agencies, as well as their exclusive communication codes.

However, after the Director failed to locate Zhang Desen for an extended period and faced a shortage of personnel in the Orme Empire’s Air Force, he instructed them to return to their air unit and join the patrols, deciding to observe whether the mysterious passage would reappear.

Because of this, when hostile aircraft from the depths suddenly emerged, Dahl Kind and his wingman happened to be in the right region and were dispatched to intercept.

Ultimately, it was Dahl Kind’s wingman who successfully intercepted the target, while Dahl Kind himself was struck by enemy fire in his fighter’s propulsion system and crashed onto a submerged beach on an island.

Yet Dahl Kind still refused to believe his fighter was grounded for good. With the aircraft partially submerged and convinced it wouldn’t catch fire, and the shallow water preventing flooding of the cockpit, he desperately tried to restart his fighter and take to the skies again.

When his wingman, after intercepting the target, flew over to check on Dahl Kind, he found him still fiercely struggling in the cockpit. The flight recorder captured the entire ordeal, stopping only when the Orme Empire’s rescue team arrived. Upon realizing his fighter was irreparably damaged, Dahl Kind was so infuriated that he spat blood and fainted.

It was during this process that disaster struck. Since the Director of Intelligence could contact them at any moment, for convenience, they had installed the chip containing their exclusive communication codes and classified information directly into their fighter’s electronic systems.

When Dahl Kind was shot down, refusing to accept his defeat, he kept frantically attempting to reboot his aircraft, urging his wingman to pursue the enemy until the rescue arrived. In the chaos, Dahl Kind inadvertently transmitted his and Orme Intelligence’s exclusive codes—along with all his identity and confidential information—onto Orme Empire’s public network, resulting in a catastrophic leak.

The Terrans of Orme Empire, despite their relatively small population compared to humans, had never feared being divided or surrounded by human activity thanks to their absolute technological superiority.

Now, however, humanity had suddenly begun to possess and wield advanced technology, causing immense panic throughout the Orme Empire.

Initially, Orme’s intelligence agencies were baffled by the leak. Once the cause was determined and reported to Yuri Gotner, his fury was immense. Upon Dahl Kind’s recovery, he was summoned, leading to the earlier scene.

After finishing the newspaper, Dahl Kind and his wingman approached the Leader, Yuri Gotner. Dahl Kind spoke:

“I am sorry, my Leader. This was my mistake again, and I am willing to accept any punishment.”

Yuri Gotner responded at once:

“Dahl Kind, let me tell you—according to the laws of Orme Empire, you must be sent to the gallows. Do you understand?”

Dahl Kind replied:

“I do, my Leader.”

Yuri Gotner continued:

“But, given the current shortage of personnel, especially outstanding pilots, you are fortunate. Do you understand?”

Dahl Kind answered:

“Yes! Thank you, my Leader. I—”

Yuri Gotner interrupted:

“Enough. Don’t say more. When the Director of Intelligence returns to my office, he will take you to fulfill your duties. You will leave with him. In addition, your wingman has shown exceptional performance; I intend to promote him to lead pilot, and you will serve as his wingman from now on. By the way, sir, what is your name?”

The wingman replied:

“Reporting to my Leader, I am Carl Wade.”

Yuri Gotner nodded:

“Very good. You have performed admirably lately. I hereby personally promote you to lead pilot, and your rank shall increase by one grade. My order will soon reach Air Force Command. After Dahl Kind completes his tasks with the Director of Intelligence, he will return as your wingman. Perform well, and do not disappoint me. Understood?”

Carl Wade answered promptly:

“Yes! Thank you for your trust, Leader. I will not let you down.”

Yuri Gotner said:

“Good. Take your future wingman and sit over there. When the Director arrives, hand him over personally, then return to your duties. Execute immediately!”

Both pilots replied in unison:

“Yes!”

…

At that moment, Zhang Desen was descending the mountain on his way to the marketplace to purchase necessities. As he approached the foot of the mountain, he saw two groups facing off. One group, clad in uniform attire, appeared to be escorting goods westward, while the other blocked the road, dressed like the mountain bandits notorious for their highway robberies.

Seeing this, Zhang Desen decided to observe first. Though he loathed bandits, the escorting group seemed formidable. He scrambled up a tree to conceal himself and watch.

He scrutinized the escort team. For now, their morale seemed unified.

They did not resemble a true army, but rather the household retainers of a wealthy family—well-trained nonetheless. Their banner bore the character “Zhang,” indicating the family’s surname matched his own, which stirred a sense of kinship within Zhang Desen.

A leading retainer stepped forward and declared:

“How dare you! You would rob Chancellor Zhang’s property? Are you mad?”

“We know very well,” the bandit chief sneered, “and we also know his only son was eliminated by enemies last year. Wealth can’t be taken to the grave, so why not donate the women and treasures from your wagons to me, your new master? At least someone will be left to clean up after him. Hahaha!”

The bandits erupted in laughter at their leader’s contemptuous words.

The retainer chief, enraged, bellowed:

“Insolence! If you dare, face me in combat. Let’s settle this by skill!”

The bandit leader replied indifferently:

“Very well! I’ll teach you a lesson so you know your master’s strength. Ha!”

The retainer chief retorted angrily:

“Scoundrel! My master is not you. If my teacher were here, he’d destroy you himself. But now, I’ll do it. Come!”

The bandit leader dismounted and shouted:

“I’m coming!”

As the bandit chief advanced, the retainer wasted no time, launching a swift attack.

Remarkably, the bandit head met the sudden assault without panic. The retainer, hoping to avoid delay, had attempted a sneak attack to kill the chief and expedite delivery of the goods.

Yet the bandit leader parried the incoming strike with the tip of his sword, surprising the retainer, who immediately shifted into a prolonged duel. The two then engaged in a fierce contest.

Watching, Zhang Desen thought:

“This won’t do. Who knows how long their battle will last? Worse, these bandits are robbing travelers so close to their base—it must be nearby, which poses a threat. There’s actually a nest of bandits so close to the base—how vile. Perhaps…”

He resolved to intervene at the critical moment. Quickly, he chambered a round in his rifle.

Yet he regretted not bringing his pulse weapon. These loathsome bandits were numerous, and though ammunition was plentiful now, every shot reduced his supply. Without reestablishing contact with headquarters, resupply was impossible; only pulse weapons and Altaset guns could harness solar energy for replenishment.

With this in mind, Zhang Desen decided to rely on the Altaset gun during the coming action, to minimize unnecessary expenditure.

While Zhang Desen plotted, the duelists had already exchanged dozens of blows, both breathing heavily from the intense exertion. Their arm strength was formidable and evenly matched, making a double defeat likely. The contest soon reached a stalemate.