A cacophony of sounds approached from afar.
Along the way, there were also many scattered footsteps.
Perhaps someone would ask what was happening?
But anyone stopped at random would receive a similar, yet vague message.
It seemed they had captured a prisoner.
A prisoner?
This word was nothing rare in human history.
But in the current special, almost desperate situation, it was a major event capable of attracting attention.
“I didn't expect that kid to be so capable.”
Roy Focker stepped out of the car, looked at the crowd gathered around, and couldn't help but exclaim.
“It was only a flight test, yet he managed to create such a stir.”
As the designer and manufacturer of the SV52, Professor Kulagin also expressed his feelings.
“Hey. What’s the big deal? The battlefield changes constantly, who can say for sure? Hey, Roy, give me a hand!”
Shelyayev’s shouting came from inside the car, making Roy Focker turn his head to look.
“I say, Salmon Team Captain, you should be going back to rest properly now. Are you perhaps going to follow the Level 2 Alert order and return to your post to stand guard?”
“Why not!”
Shelyayev grinned, raised his hand to grab Roy Focker’s outstretched right hand, and smoothly stepped out of the car. However, he seemed to have used too much force, pulling at his wound, which made Shelyayev’s face turn a few shades paler.
“Hahaha! It seems the alien’s appeal is enough to overcome the pain from the injury!”
Roy Focker laughed heartily, exchanged a glance with Professor Kulagin, and together they helped Shelyayev walk towards the Gernaku.
With the presence of the two Captains, the surrounding crowd parted, allowing them to pass through unimpeded and enter the Gernaku.
From the outside, the gathered crowd blocked much of the view, making it difficult to see the situation inside.
But after passing through the crowd, Roy Focker, Professor Kulagin, and Shelyayev saw a scene of strict security.
“This is a bit serious!”
Shelyayev raised his eyes and saw that the elite squads belonging to the First and Second Defense Force had taken up fire positions on both sides of the Gernaku, firmly locking onto the massive circular machine parked in the middle of the Gernaku.
“Captain Focker, Professor Kulagin, you’re here. Huh? And Captain Shelyayev. Why are you here too?”
When Hayase Misa’s voice came from the side, it also drew the attention of the surrounding crowd.
“Why is even she here?”
The three exchanged glances, vaguely sensing the importance the SDF-1’s higher-ups placed on the current situation.
“Couldn’t lie still, came out for a stroll. Heard someone captured those aliens?”
Shelyayev waved his hand casually, indicating that his physical condition was still decent.
“Is that so?”
Hayase Misa did not pursue the matter of Shelyayev leaving the hospital too much; instead, she looked at Professor Kulagin.
“Professor Kulagin. First, on behalf of Captain Global, I would like to congratulate you. Your developed SV52 has achieved expected, no, even exceeding expected results. From this flight test, it seems the SV52 possesses the qualifications and ability to participate in actual combat.”
“Thank you!”
Professor Kulagin nodded, neither surprised nor overly pleased.
As the developer, Professor Kulagin was very clear about the SV52’s potential.
After all, its predecessor, the SV51, left behind a lot of excellent data.
On this foundation, the birth of the SV52 was not as circuitous as that of the VF-1.
“Additionally,…”
Hayase Misa shifted her gaze, looking at the massive circular machine parked in the middle of the Gernaku and nodded slightly.
“I believe everyone also wants to see the appearance of the aliens we’ve been fighting up close, right?”
After Hayase Misa finished speaking, she made an inviting gesture.
The three exchanged glances, all nodded, but did not immediately step forward.
Seeing this, Hayase Misa shook her head helplessly, and finally, she herself took the first step, walking along the path opened by the soldiers performing guard duty, and was the first to enter the Gernaku.
The Gernaku, usually bustling with noise and activity, was now exceptionally quiet and heavy.
Whether it was the crowd gathered outside or the soldiers on guard duty, everyone felt the increasing weight on their shoulders at this moment.
The existence of the Zentraedi was like a sword hanging over the SDF-1’s head.
The vast disparity in strength between the two sides made the SDF-1’s military feel despair.
At this moment, He Ming actually returned to the SDF-1 with a Zentraedi prisoner.
This news was like a depth charge, directly shattering the solemn atmosphere on the SDF-1.
Given Captain Global’s identity and status, it was impossible for him to directly enter the Gernaku where the battle pod was stored; he could only observe the situation in this Gernaku through certain means.
“Captain. That pilot over there is He Ming.”
His subordinate pointed out He Ming’s location to Captain Global.
He Ming was seen sitting on a small chair, holding his helmet, calmly watching the fully equipped maintenance team prepare to forcibly dismantle the battle pod.
“He Ming. How is the situation?”
As a clear, yet steady female voice came, He Ming also stood up and looked behind him.
Brown long hair,
White female military uniform,
A serious face,
Undoubtedly, this was the SDF-1’s combat controller, Hayase Misa.
Besides her, He Ming also saw the three people following Hayase Misa.
Two tall and imposing men, and Professor Kulagin, who appeared particularly small, sandwiched between them.
He Ming raised his right hand in a military salute and replied.
“The situation is currently under our control. But further inspection is still needed before we can determine if forced dismantling of the enemy machine is possible.”
“Is that so?”
Hayase Misa’s gaze had already been drawn to the heavily damaged battle pod, but her job was not as simple as just coming to see the battle pod’s true appearance.
Hayase Misa straightened her face and said loudly.
“He Ming, born on January 17, 1990. Attended Evergreen Air Force Aerospace University…”
To be honest, the identity information Hayase Misa reported made He Ming’s heart stir slightly.
He Ming did not know all of this information.
The only thing he could confirm was that the school he attended was indeed Evergreen Air Force Aerospace University; as for other information, it was likely the result of some kind of force.
Among them, the most likely was that mysterious voice.
Hayase Misa’s words continued, but He Ming heard the mysterious voice sound.
【Dynamic event completed! Cleared the Zentraedi reconnaissance unit in area 326, completed!】
【Dynamic event completed! Joined the Unified Army, became a member, completed!】
【Events are being calculated uniformly, rewards will be issued combined, please wait a moment!】
He Ming’s eyes moved slightly, thinking, it’s finally here.
But these were not the most important things.
The most important was the SV52 parked to the side.
“He Ming, Captain Global highly values the merits you achieved in this flight mission and hopes you will continue to strive for excellence after becoming an active pilot.”
“Yes! I will live up to expectations and ensure the mission is completed!!”
He Ming instinctively saluted in response.
This posture made Hayase Misa, Roy Focker, and Shelyayev pause in surprise.
“Hahaha! As expected of a Davarish!”
Shelyayev’s home country once had such etiquette, which made Shelyayev reveal a hint of nostalgia.
“Alright! Everything that needed to be said has been said. So, next, it’s about me and He Ming. Officer Hayase, Captain Roy, Captain Shelyayev.”
Professor Kulagin walked to He Ming’s side and gestured to the three.
“Good! After an intense battle, the SV52 should probably undergo an overhaul. He Ming, your unit assignment will be decided soon, and someone will come to notify you then. Before that, please cooperate with Professor Kulagin in maintaining and improving the SV52.”
“Understood!”
After seeing off Hayase Misa, Roy Focker, and Shelyayev, He Ming looked at Professor Kulagin.
“Good job, kid! Well done!”
Without the presence of others, Professor Kulagin seemed to become more relaxed and casual.
He casually pulled over a small chair and sat down, then waved to He Ming and pointed to the SV52.
“Tell me! How did this child perform in battle?”
No matter how detailed a report was, it couldn't compare to a few words from a pilot who participated in the battle.
As a fighter jet developer, Professor Kulagin highly valued the combat experience feedback from frontline pilots.
He Ming nodded readily and began to recount the problems discovered during this flight test and in combat.
After several hours of their exchange, they were interrupted by an alarm.
“Life monitoring equipment is reacting. The alien inside is still alive!!”
“The maintenance team has found a way to dismantle the cockpit.”
The already heavy atmosphere became even more oppressive.
Even the recently rotated First and Second Defense Force members immediately gave up their rest and returned to their combat posts, picking up their weapons and aiming them at the battle pod that had been silent for hours.
No one could predict what would happen next.
Would the alien, having lain dormant for a long time, suddenly burst out, swinging its weapons, taking advantage of the open hatch?
Or would it carry a pile of explosives of unknown power, frantically dragging the surrounding humans into a self-detonation?
Countless conjectures continuously emerged from the minds of the surrounding humans, causing them a hint of unease.
Around the battle pod, the maintenance team, having found a method, began their work.
Flames from cutting equipment continuously spewed from nozzles, precisely and quickly melting the battle pod’s locking mechanisms under the operation of the maintenance team members.
With a series of dull, loud cracking sounds, a gap quietly opened.
Accompanying it was the sound of gas being released, and the sight of an unknown mist rising.
The next second, the ventilation system throughout the Gernaku instantly activated, adjusting its power to maximum, striving to purify and replace the air in this Gernaku in the shortest possible time.
The maintenance team around the battle pod had already changed into protective suits, and further away, Hayase Misa and others had also put on protective masks and other protective gear.
He Ming and Professor Kulagin were no exception.
“Perhaps, this is humanity’s first close encounter with the Zentraedi.”
Professor Kulagin’s voice came from behind his protective mask, seeming to be a sigh of wonder, or perhaps regret.
“Hmm. Probably.”
“This opportunity was brought by you, He Ming. It seems entrusting the SV52 to you was the correct choice.”
Professor Kulagin’s gaze was fixed on the gap being propped open by the engineering machinery, but he spoke as if casually.
“Are you willing to continue piloting the SV52?”
【Dynamic event triggered, confirm ownership qualification for SV52 unit?】
【Confirm!】
This time, He Ming no longer hesitated.
Approval from the SDF-1’s higher-ups,
Approval from the designer,
Allowed He Ming to have the possibility of becoming the SV52’s pilot.
Hmm,
To put it another way,
From today onwards, He Ming was an active Mechanic.
After confirming the SV52’s ownership qualification, He Ming slowly exhaled.
The results of his desperate efforts were immense.
And the greatest result was probably the battle pod that was currently opening in front of him.
Amidst the roar of the engineering machinery, the battle pod was finally opened.
The sight of a crimson liquid flowing from the opened gap of the battle pod made the surrounding humans instinctively raise their guard.
Gun muzzles, both large and small, unanimously aimed at the gradually widening gap.
With the sound of a heavy object hitting the ground, everyone collectively gasped.
Inside the huge cockpit, a massive body was curled up.
A terrifying number of fragments were embedded in various parts of this massive body from all directions.
Traces of crimson blood stained the strange clothing on its body.
“This, this is the true appearance of the Zentraedi?!”
Professor Kulagin sprang to his feet, staring intently at the massive body curled up inside the cockpit.
Seeing Professor Kulagin’s expression, He Ming suddenly recalled the man’s life story.
As the most outstanding researcher in the field of aviation, after the ASS-1 crashed to the ground, he was among the first advance teams to enter the ASS-1 for exploration. He was also among the first Earth Humans to learn of the existence of the Zentraedi and other powerful aliens from the ASS-1.
Since then, after a series of events, Professor Kulagin became a supporter of the idea that humanity should achieve unification, gather its strength, and jointly confront the alien threat.
“It’s alive!!”
“This alien is alive!!”
“Medical team! Quick!!”
After the bolder members of the maintenance team climbed into the heavily damaged cockpit and attempted to ascertain the Zentraedi’s vital signs, the long-prepared medical team immediately began to act.
However, standing below the battle pod, the medical team members couldn't help but exchange glances, feeling a headache.
Because the opponent’s size was simply too large.
The medical equipment carried by the medical team was designed for standard human body types.
“First, transfer the subject out of the cockpit, then provide treatment! Also, the maintenance team must be careful when clearing the cockpit. Both it and this damaged machine will be key to our understanding of the enemy!”
Hayase Misa gave the instruction for the work on site to continue, then turned and left, preparing to report the situation to Captain Global.
Watching the busy crowd, Professor Kulagin slowly sat down.
“Perhaps, this will be a turning point for us humans.”