Chapter Seventy-Two: Growth

After the underachiever departed, Xiong Shan looked at the group and asked, "Does anyone want to pilot a fighter jet themselves? I strongly advise against it. First, you've never had any exposure to such aircraft; while they're not difficult to fly, it's not something you can master in just a few days. Second, if you pilot one yourself, you'll be alone, and even if you manage to land safely, you'll face even greater dangers. So think carefully.”

Li Daoran frowned and asked, "Thousands of fighter jets and ten starships—do we even have enough people?"

“There will be unmanned aircraft providing cover. The manned fighters will break through alongside unmanned ones. The jet you’re assigned to may well be without a pilot, and several of the starships will be empty as well.”

Li Daoran pressed, “Why is that?”

“We don’t have enough personnel. The essential crew for the Mermaid is indispensable, as they are still needed in space. The only ones available to reinforce are all of us here—far too few. So we have to use this method for both the breakout and deception. Outwardly, all our fighters and starships will appear to be fully manned. That’s all you need to know; don’t let anything slip,” Xiong Shan warned them specifically.

“So, there will be many unmanned fighters?” Li Daoran asked.

“The starships will be their primary targets, but in truth, they’re just bait. Our real plan is unknown to the enemy. Most of our personnel will be assigned to fighters, which will all be set to autopilot, making them think the fighters are merely a cover. So flying one yourself isn’t overly difficult; even if you do, you must follow the autopilot’s procedures. If you’re discovered, you’ll become the enemy’s main target.” Xiong Shan could see that Li Daoran was considering piloting a fighter himself, and looked at him as he spoke.

“These days, our main focus will be learning to use parachutes and training with personal combat weapons. Familiarize yourselves with the techniques and tricks for using some of the equipment,” Xiong Shan continued.

“For example, aiming practice with energy guns, dagger training, wilderness survival skills—these were meant to be supplementary courses, but since you’re short on time, most of you haven’t learned them. With what little time you have, remember as much as you can,” he sighed, feeling the weight of sending untrained recruits with no battlefield experience on such a mission. But military orders leave no room for refusal; all he could do was teach them as much as possible.

Li Daoran thought to himself that he wouldn’t need to learn wilderness survival—Aqua Blue Star was supporting him, and with their guidance, he wouldn’t be lacking in the basics. He’d already reviewed most of the supplementary courses, and the Aqua Blue Star team should have already analyzed them thoroughly. So for him, piloting the fighter was the main skill he needed to learn, though even he didn’t feel entirely confident.

He’d gathered enough information for now. It was time to return to Aqua Blue Star and consider his next move. He still needed to discuss the options with Chen Ming and the others.

Daoran’s world began to fracture. Xiong Shan’s words cut off abruptly as time seemed to freeze, and Li Daoran’s consciousness returned to his body on Aqua Blue Star.

Without wasting a moment, he opened the door. Chen Ming and the other four were already waiting outside, motioning for him to eat first while they continued their heated debate in front of the computer. Clearly, Aqua Blue Star’s team hadn’t reached a conclusion either.

Li Daoran ate a little, listening to their intense argument. At this point, there was a major split on how best to support the mission.

David believed they should go with the group, without exoskeleton armor, to minimize risk.

Chen Ming, on the other hand, argued that Li Daoran should pilot a fighter himself and take his fate into his own hands.

The other three remained undecided, vacillating between the two options. It was clear they were choosing between two bad alternatives; if possible, they’d have chosen not to go at all, given the immense risk. But as soldiers, they understood better than anyone that Li Daoran had no right to refuse.

Listening to their argument, Li Daoran could tell that the debate was just as fierce on the other end of the computer. No one could convince the others.

He quickly finished his meal, wiped his mouth, and brought the debate to an end: “I choose to pilot the fighter myself.”

All five immediately turned to look at him.

David, anxious, said, “Daoran, this isn’t the time to act on impulse. Even if you’re from Rabbit Nation, you don’t have to obey their every command. Now, you bear the fate of all humanity. I hope you can set aside national prejudices. If you can’t, the consequences will be more than we can bear.”

“I understand, but I made this decision after careful thought. I’d already decided before I came back. I believe you can analyze it as well,” Li Daoran replied solemnly. He knew David’s question was serious. If he always saw himself only as a Rabbit Nation citizen and followed their orders blindly, a battle for Li Daoran’s allegiance would inevitably break out on Aqua Blue Star. His value exceeded that of nuclear deterrence, and as with nuclear weapons, no one wanted to be the first to deploy him.

If Li Daoran openly and forcefully took sides, there would be no shortage of madmen—racists, terrorists, and the like—coming out of the woodwork.

So Li Daoran needed to give a direct response and make a promise.

“We need a reason,” Charles said, patting David’s shoulder and looking at Li Daoran.

“No matter how much you argue, this is inherently a dangerous matter. There’s little we can do—you all know that better than I do. The real reason you’re arguing is because none of you wants to take responsibility,” Li Daoran said. “David, I bet this plan was Chen Ming’s idea, and you’re just opposing for the sake of it. Even I can see through your double act. Was it really necessary to take it so far? Or are you just trying to warn me?” He took a sip of water, speaking calmly.

Li Daoran had learned and grown so much under the guidance of David and the others. Compared to before, he now carried a certain presence, more and more resembling the figure Chen Ming and the rest wanted him to become.

But Li Daoran’s growth also meant the shackles they had on him were steadily breaking, and their control over him was slipping. Still, that was the choice any reasonable person would make—no one wants to pin their hopes on a useless person.

David looked indignant, as if he couldn’t believe Li Daoran didn’t trust him, his expression growing more aggrieved.

Li Daoran continued, “So I’ll take responsibility this time. Didn’t you all cover for me last time? This time, I’ll do it myself. If they ask, just say I was being impulsive, acting on my own.”

David shook his head repeatedly. “No, you can’t let your image be defined like that. That would be disastrous. Tell us your real reason. We can come up with ten thousand reasons to support whatever you choose, but this time, we really want to hear it from you. What is it that’s made you no longer fear life and death?”