Chapter 195 Yesterday's Person
The alarm bells rang loudly in the air.
People queuing to enter the shelter looked up at the sky, then lowered their heads and walked forward in silence. A child naively asked what the bell meant, and the child's parents silently pulled him forward. The soldiers sitting in the fortress held their guns and stared at the flickering stars in the night sky.
In the distant sky, there was ruthless killing, the fall of life, and the bite of steel beasts. Every flash of light meant that the lives of hundreds of soldiers on the track were passing away. They were their comrades and compatriots.
At this moment, the soldiers could only hold their weapons and wait silently for the moment when the alien fleet broke through the orbital defense.
They are about to become the Great Wall of Steel of the Land of Hope.
Xiao Zhen is looking for information in the Control Bureau. The consequence of the approach of the Izel alien fleet is not only that the administrative work of the entire planetary government has fallen into chaos, but their mysterious technology has even directly interfered with the regular network communications of Hope Township. The signal is intermittent, and most communications are in uncontrollable delays. The government clerks who stayed behind struggled between documents and systems. Everyone was busy to the point of collapse. No one could spare time for him, and no one had the energy to help Xiao Zhen find his friends. With the special permission of Governor Jiang Dan and Mayor Childe, Xiao Zhen directly called up the recent ship landing files. Because the network was blocked, he could only use manual methods, fighting with a pile of data in a pile of papers, trying to find clues about Liu Xingquan.
Captain Ban, Ms. Fei, and the three brothers Gamor, Liu, Guan, and Zhang all came to join him. They sat in an office of the Interstellar Control Bureau, flipping through documents page by page, tapping on the data board and looking at lines of numbers. They spent a whole day and night. By the next day, everyone's eyes were fighting.
They didn't find any information about the Impeccable landing at the Hope Township port, but Zhang Fei found a clue.
A data board showed that four days ago, a civilian ship deviated from its route and disappeared in the Titar Mountains. Due to the interference of the Izel alien fleet, countless ships have disappeared in recent days, which is not surprising. But Zhang Fei found that the model information of this ship was exactly the same as that of the Flawless.
The problem was that it flew into the Tita Mountains and disappeared with a large number of passengers.
Xiao Zhen stared at the data slate in silence.
Zhang Fei wanted to continue to express his opinion on Liu Xingquan's life and death. Before he could utter the terrible words with superstitious power, Jia Moer rushed up and pinched his mouth. No one objected to Jia Moer's behavior.
"I'm going to the Tita Mountains to investigate." Xiao Zhen said, "This location is not far away."
He saw the compassion on the faces of his companions when they heard his decision.
Xiao Zhen knew what his companions were thinking.
But it is not confirmed yet.
I don't think he's dead.
Xiao Zhen looked at the ship information and thought, even if there is a slight possibility, I will go.
Afterwards, he asked Lady Gamorfi, Liu Guanzhang and others to go to the shelter first. He went to the Governor's Mansion to borrow an airship from Ilian.
When they returned to the Governor's Mansion, Chief Inspector Ilian was rushing out of the gate with his adjutant Miao Wen. Xiao Zhen hurried forward and said that she was going to the Tita Mountains and asked if he could borrow an airship.
"Tita Mountains? Where are you going?" Ilian seemed a little surprised.
Xiao Zhen handed him the location coordinates on the data tablet and told him that the ship his friend was on might have disappeared here.
Ilian frowned slightly, "Come with me."
"Why?"
"I happened to be going to the Titta Mountains, which are also near these coordinates."
Xiao Zhen, Captain Madara, and Rocken M89 boarded Ilian's airship, which is a land airship.
There was a buzzing sound in the air. Ilian sat across from them in silence. The days of running around and non-stop meetings had made the usually elegant and neat Inspector General look a little embarrassed. His light-colored eyes were bloodshot, and his originally neat and tidy brown-gold short hair had a few strands sticking up unruly. Xiaozhen stared at his sticking up hair and had an urge to rush up and touch it.
He thought about it and decided that he should not commit suicide.
The continuous forests are becoming sparse. The closer to the Tita Mountains, the less vegetation there is. When approaching the mountains, the surrounding landforms become smooth and hairless. This is a mysterious land. Ilian's adjutant Miao Wen said that he suspected that there might be some radioactive materials buried under the mountains, making it impossible for plants to survive. Thousands of years ago, this was a mining area where the Shizun Company oppressed workers. On the surface, the Shizun Company has been providing some conventional concentrates, but what this shady company is digging has always been a mystery.
Just like these mysterious mountains.
The airship descended. Because of the shielding force field of the mountains, current aircraft cannot fly in the mountains. Once forced to fly in, it will often end up with the aircraft destroyed and the people killed.
Xiao Zhen and his group walked down the landing ladder and got off the airship . Ilian clicked on the floating screen, and a red signal warning popped up, indicating that the signal was interrupted. "Go in," he said.
The purpose of Ilian's trip was still to seek help. After holding a strategic deployment meeting with all the commanders of Hope Township, Inspector General Ilian received an important intelligence, that is, there is a small vortex near the Eagle Fortress in the Yunpu Star Region, and a certain distance can be teleported by using a one-way small vortex. The Eagle Fortress is the armed force of the Eye of Supervision, and is currently affiliated with the Angry Eagle Fleet of the Third Court of the Eye of Supervision.
"Teleport?" Xiao Zhen asked, "Are they our reinforcements?"
A cold mockery appeared in Ilian's pale eyes. Adjutant Miao Wen explained that General Tang and Governor Jiang Dan had previously sent a request for help to the Angry Eagle Fleet, but were rejected by the Angry Eagle Fleet.
"Reject?" Xiao Zhen suddenly realized a problem, "But aren't all long-distance communications cut off now?"
"This is the second piece of information we got at the meeting," said Adjutant Miao Wen.
Inside the Titar Mountains, there is an ancient transmitter tower site. How it can work under the shielding force field is a mystery. Its internal structure is even more obscure. Scientists and archaeologists have not yet analyzed its principle. It is also the only communication transmitter that can break through the alien interference and send outwards. But unfortunately, all the rescue messages sent by this transmitter tower are ignored by the planetary governments within its effective range as fake information that is not from official channels.
Only the Angry Eagle Fleet responded.
"So that's how it is." Xiao Zhen asked, "What did the Angry Eagle Fleet reply?"
Adjutant Miao Wen smiled bitterly and said, "The Angry Eagle Fleet's reply was just one word: Get lost."
“…”
"The Angry Eagle Fleet has responded, which means we can continue communicating. This is also the purpose of the Inspector General's visit."
Xiao Zhen immediately understood what Adjutant Miao Wen meant. In this case, only if Ilian, who is also the Chief Inspector of the Eye of Supervision, personally communicated for help, could the Angry Eagle Fleet recognize the authenticity of this intelligence.
"That means we will have reinforcements!!" Xiao Zhen said.
"I'm not optimistic. Even if I personally prove the authenticity of this message, it may still be rejected." Ilian said calmly.
"Why?"
Adjutant Miao Wen whispered that the Angry Eagle Fleet of the Third Court of the Eye of Oversight and Ilian's faction were hostile to each other and would most likely reject this request for assistance.
What the hell is going on inside your Eye of Supervision! ! Xiao Zhen growled in her heart.
The struggle is everywhere, Captain Madara muttered quietly.
They had been in the Titar Mountains for about two hours. The stairs leading into the mountain curved and stretched between the mountains. Illian walked in front of them, his white cloak floating from time to time, revealing the fine embroidery pattern on the edge. Roken M89 changed his walking mode, and his joints kept making creaking sounds . The shielding force field would disrupt the robot's system, and Xiaozhen didn't want to take it with him at first. But Roken M89 insisted on going with them, and he always said that Mr. Cat had told it, so Xiaozhen had to agree. Now as expected, its system has been disordered, and it can no longer speak normally, and can only barely keep walking and follow them.
After a while, even though Xiao Zhen had strengthened his body, he felt the pain in his legs and feet, and he began to sweat all over. Captain Madara took full advantage of his small size and jumped directly onto Xiao Zhen's shoulder, using him as a means of transportation. Xiao Zhen felt that he really had a good temper because he did not throw Captain Madara down the mountain immediately.
"How long do we have?" Captain Madara was unaware of the anger of the humanoid vehicle under his feet and asked a meaningless question.
"Further up, there is an entrance. It seems to be the entrance to the mining area of the Shizun Company back then." Adjutant Miao Wen said. "There is a small village inside, right next to the launch pad. You can ask them directly about the missing ships later."
Xiao Zhen said, "But there is no signal in this mountain. It is far away from the civilized world. Why would there be a village?"
"They are the residents who have lived here for a long time. They claim to be the guardians of Lothal's legacy."
"Lothar's legacy?"
"When Losar overthrew the World Honored Company, there was a legend that he obtained mysterious power. Some people also said that Losar actually obtained the legacy of the World Honored Company. There are all kinds of theories. In short, these residents have lived here a long time ago." Adjutant Miao Wen looked up and said, "Look, a guardian resident is welcoming us."
A slender figure appeared above. It looked like a gray moth, with a pair of large black compound eyes and soft gray wings wrapped around its body like a robe. "Welcome, Your Excellency Inspector General Illian," it said. "Star Spring Light, I am Ling Zhi, and I will lead you to the launch pad."
"Thanks."
Lingzhi, who came to greet them, was a resident of the village next to the ancient launch pad in the mountains. It said that its ancestors came from the workers who fought with Losa. Xiaozhen thought it would flap its gray wings and glide on the road, but it didn't, it just walked lightly in front. Its legs were extremely slender, and when it walked it was like dancing lightly on the stone steps. Under its quiet guidance, they walked onto a platform. There was a porch on the platform. The door was very flat and was carved from a piece of black stone with a mysterious glow. There were delicate and strange circular patterns engraved on the stone. This emblem was different from the ancient Aissati emblem that Xiaozhen had seen in the past, but there was a strange similarity. This was not Losa's legacy, Xiaozhen thought, it was a legacy of a more distant, lost civilization tens of thousands of years ago.
"Please come in. The launch pad is inside." Lingzhi said, holding up a lantern. The light flickered on its face. "Next, no matter what you see, don't be alarmed."
"What do you mean?" Illian asked.
"The old man said that after the launch pad is activated, this channel will disturb your mind and produce an unreal mental reflection." Lingzhi said, "This is a strange phenomenon that occasionally appears on the launch pad. It may appear or it may not appear. You just need to ignore it completely."
Is it a property of mind refraction? This is obviously another strange legacy of this lost civilization, Xiao Zhen thought. He raised his footsteps, followed Illian, and walked into the door.
Under the dim light of the lantern in Lingzhi's hand, they walked silently in the passage. This passage was vast and remote, and the same emblems as the gate were etched on the wall from time to time. The mysterious rings intertwined and circulated, exuding an incomprehensible mysterious atmosphere.
Captain Madara spoke up, "Do you think that the Izel aliens attacked Hope Township because of these...ruins?"
Xiao Zhen glanced at the chicken on his shoulder, which was completely unaware of the seriousness of his remarks.
Adjutant Miao Wen said, "Perhaps. But we will let them know that attacking Hope Township was a mistake."
They fell silent again. Captain Madara's words made Illian look grim. Legend has it that Lothar gained mysterious power and overthrew the World Honored Company. What if this is true? What if there is a secret buried under this mysterious mining area? What if it is really the truth that the Izel alien spied on the ruins? He didn't dare to think about it any further.
"The launch room is in front. The technicians should have started it..." Lingzhi said, and suddenly, the dark passage became as bright as day.
In Xiaozhen's eyes, the real space was twitching and twisting, and the invisible threads that made up matter were dancing.
A figure appeared at the end of the passage like a dream.
The cape fluttered behind him, and when he turned around, his long hair seemed to shine brightly. His armor was engraved with elaborate patterns, and his eyes gazed at them calmly. His presence seemed to crush the entire space, and it rose like the sun at the end of the road.
Almost at the same time, Xiao Zhen heard Ilian whisper, "Lord Mansfield..."
Without any hesitation, the Inspector General and his adjutant knelt on one knee and bowed their heads in respect to him. Ling Zhi also prostrated herself on the ground.
"My Lord," they said, their tone containing awe and joy. "You are still alive... It's really great." Xiao Zhen had never seen Illian lose his composure like this, "My Lord, you are here, Hope Township will definitely be able to..." He spoke intermittently, his voice choking.
This is impossible. Xiao Zhen thought, this is not like a mental refraction. He felt a strong desire to obey surge through his body, his body almost knelt, but his will was resisting.
Mansfield, Lord of the First Chamber of the Overseeing Eye, was standing at the end of the road, his eyes fixed on him.
(You have illegally trespassed on an underage Homo sapiens, sinner.)
Did he see me? Was he talking to me? Xiao Zhen felt as if his body was frozen, and his head was aching as if it was being stabbed by needles. That voice was exploding in his head.
This is not a mind refraction at all. This is not an illusion at all.
This is real.
It's the real Mansfield.
The one who transcended the flow of time.
Xiao Zhen responded with her mind: (I am not someone you can interfere with.)
(You think I can't interfere?)
(You are just a shadow of the past. This is another slice of time intersection.) Xiao Zhen added, (But we will meet again in the future.)
(……) Mansfield turned his gaze to the robot next to Xiaozhen. (Roken M? Why is it acting with you?)
(It is Roken M89)
(I see.)
The silent exchange ended.
Time and space twisted and folded again. The Lord of the First Court disappeared before their eyes. They stopped in the dark passage, Lingzhi's burning lamp flickered faintly, and there was no trace of the adult who was as dazzling as the morning sun.
"My Lord?" Ilian looked around blankly, searching for his shadow.
Ling Zhi said softly, "Just as the old man in the village said, this kind of situation actually happened. This is the first time I have seen it. The old man said it was not real."
"Was that just an illusion?" Adjutant Miao Wen muttered to himself sadly, "A mental reflection? I thought I saw a miracle just now. That gentleman didn't die at all..."
"This doesn't happen normally. The old man said that this kind of phenomenon only happens occasionally when the launch pad is activated." Lingzhi pointed to the gate in front, "It's the result of the technicians activating the launch equipment. Now please go to the launch pad."
Ilian stood up, his face showing unconcealable frustration.
"I don't think that's telepathy. We all saw the same scene. Ordinary telepathy wouldn't be like this. Telepathy should be a different illusion for everyone." Xiao Zhen said, "I have a question, has Lord Mansfield been to Hope Township before?"
Illian looked at him, his eyes reddened. He said, "He has been here. That gentleman did visit Hope Township on official business. At that time, I served as a guard and stayed in orbit. I did not land with him. The one who followed him was Shark Tooth."
"I guess he also investigated the ruins in Hope Township. This is a shadow of the past. We were affected by some mysterious force field here and saw the images of the past in the cracks of time."
"This is him... we saw him in the past?"
Xiao Zhen nodded.
"That was indeed what he wore back then," Illian said softly, a nostalgic expression appearing on his face.
"Time is always flowing. Whether it's the past or the present." Xiao Zhen smiled, "So in a sense, he is alive, living in the present just like us."
Ilian looked at him deeply, and the lost and sad expression on his face was gone.
They walked into the launch room together. This ancient device from an unknown civilization had been activated, making a buzzing sound. A pale white halo overflowed from the device. Perhaps, as Ling Zhi said, the activation of this ancient transmitter allowed them to inadvertently glimpse the shadow of yesterday's person.
At this moment, this ancient transmitter is once again igniting the fire of seeking help.
