First Interstellar Guide Chapter 119: Extra 20: Parallel World; Encounter

Chapter 119: Extra 20: Parallel World; Encounter

Translated by Addis of Exiled Rebels Scanlations

Editor: Karai

After graduation, Lu Zexuan obeyed his father’s arrangement and officially joined the eagle Special Forces. The captain of the special forces was his cousin, Lu Cheng’an, so Lu Zexuan spent a few years training with his elder brother.

Xie Ran went to report to the Starlight Legion. General Xie ordered her son to study with Tang Ce in the reconnaissance camp for a while. She planned to form a special forces team composed of guides, and in the future, she would hand over the leadership to Xie Ran.

The bases of different federations’ legions were far apart. Lu Zexuan and Xie Ran often went out with the legion to perform missions. The chances for them to meet became fewer and fewer, but they still maintained contact. Of course, they could only secretly message each other, informing about their situations, without letting their families and comrades know.

This was not just an “underground romance” but also a “long-distance relationship”, testing both parties’ determination. But they both believed that the other could endure. Since they had chosen each other, they would protect this relationship together, believing that someday they would see the light after the clouds.

One night, Lu Zexuan suddenly received a message from Xie Ran, “Zexuan, I’m going to Horologium for a special mission. I don’t know when I’ll be back. When I return to the capital star, if you’re there too, let’s find a chance to meet.”

Horologium was a very distant place in the Southern Cross system, and there were currently no records about that star domain. When Lu Zexuan saw this message, he replied, “Take care, I’ll wait for you to come back.”

Just after sending the message, he heard the emergency call of the special forces. Lu Zexuan quickly got ready in his military attire and arrived on the bridge. Lu Cheng’an scanned everyone and said loudly, “We’ve received an urgent mission from the White Tower. We need to depart immediately for the Southern Cross constellation to investigate the spread of pollution in the area.”

At the capital star’s space station, the Starlight ship had just set sail. This time, General Xie personally led the team, with Tang Ce’s reconnaissance camp in the vanguard. Professor Qin Luo also accompanied the army, representing the Central Academy of Sciences of the Federation, to collect samples of alien organisms on Horologium.

In the command room, General Xie calmly ordered, “We lack understanding of the Horologium star domain. Sixty percent of the planet’s area is covered by oceans. After reaching the destination, Tang Ce, take several spirit bodies who are adept at swimming with you for reconnaissance. Make good use of your diving and stealth abilities and do not disturb any alien creatures that may exist in the sea.”

Tang Ce promptly replied, “Yes, General!”

General Xie looked at his son and said, “Xie Ran, you also have stealth abilities. Assist Major Tang Ce on the side.”

Xie Ran saluted his mother with military precision. “Yes!”

After the meeting, General Xie let her subordinates rest. Qin Luo walked up to her and said, “Ranran just graduated from the military academy. Is it too dangerous for him to accompany Tang Ce on reconnaissance missions?”

General Xie calmly replied, “He’s still young, so he needs to be tempered. His abilities in Foxfire attack and stealth are outstanding. I believe he can handle it. Are you worried?”

Qin Luo frowned. “I just have a bad feeling. This mission may not go smoothly. We must be cautious.”

Guides sometimes had precognitive talents to sense danger in advance. General Xie pondered for a moment and said, “You’re right. It’s better to be cautious. I’ll inspect each department to see if there are any oversights.”

The journey to Horologium was long. Xie Ran had only recently joined the Starlight Legion, but everyone knew he was General Xie’s son, so their attitude towards him was very friendly. At this moment, he was sitting in the rest area, listening with relish as Tang Ce recounted several thrilling experiences from past missions.

General Xie passed by and glanced at him, a slight smile appearing on her lips—Ranran had grown up. Graduating from the military academy with top honors, she believed that after two more years of tempering, her son would surely become an outstanding general, helping her manage the Starlight Legion.

Xie Ran, her son who always made her proud, was also the most suitable successor to the Starlight Legion.

Meanwhile, aboard the eagle Special Forces’ starship, Lu Cheng’an was organizing the sentinels to practice combat skills.

Lu Cheng’an was a cheerful captain, and under his leadership, the atmosphere in the eagle Special Forces was lively and active. Every time they went out on missions, they would spar and exchange skills. However, since Lu Zexuan joined, no one could defeat him.

In the blink of an eye, several hours passed, and the eagle starship arrived near the Triangulum Australe constellation. There was a space quantum leap point here that could lead to other Southern Cross galaxies. However, just as the eagle Special Forces arrived at the quantum leap point in the Triangulum Australe, a glaring burst of flames suddenly erupted in the distance.

Lu Cheng’an frowned. “Immediately report monitoring data.”

The Eagle starship’s intelligent monitoring mirror quickly transmitted the scene ahead onto the holographic projection screen. Lu Zexuan saw the prominent insignia on the starship in the footage, and his heart tightened. “It’s the flagship of the Starlight Legion. They’re surrounded by star pirates!”

Lu Cheng’an frowned. “Is the Starlight Legion also on a mission here? Those warships should belong to the star pirate gangs.”

In the footage, numerous small warships were surrounding a mothership. The patterns sprayed on those warships were very unfamiliar, not belonging to any legitimate Federation organization; they were evidently star pirate gangs.

At this moment, the Starlight starship was already surrounded by star pirates, and Tang Ce was leading the soldiers from the reconnaissance camp in a desperate battle against them.

Lu Zexuan clenched his fists tightly. The screen kept flashing with flames, and the situation on the scene seemed intense. Xie Ran must also be on the Starlight Legion’s warship. This was the optimal quantum leap point to Horologium, closely related to Xie Ran’s previously mentioned mission objective.

Lu Zexuan said, “Brother, there are too many star pirates. We need to go support!”

Lu Cheng’an frowned but made a decisive decision without White Tower’s orders. Other legions’ matters theoretically shouldn’t be interfered with. But everyone was a Federal soldier, and they should assist each other in times of danger. How could they ignore their comrades in peril?

Lu Cheng’an looked at his younger brother and decisively made a decision. “Alright, Zexuan, immediately lead the team to rescue the Starlight starship!”

Lu Zexuan immediately turned around, called his teammates, and drove the warship out of the hatch.

Meanwhile, Xie Ran was piloting a warship to cover for Major Tang Ce, shuttling rapidly within the encirclement of star pirates.

Suddenly, an electromagnetic cannon exploded behind the star pirates, igniting a glaring burst of flames. Following closely behind, dozens of black warships instantly broke through from behind the star pirates like arrows and rushed into the battlefield!

On the main ship of the Starlight, a young face appeared on the screen. “Major General Lu Cheng’an, captain of the eagle Special Forces, requesting communication.”

General Xie immediately connected the call.

Lu Cheng’an said, “General Xie, the Eagle Special Forces have gone to support and are launching a surprise attack on the enemy from the southeast!”

General Xie saluted him. “Thank you, General Lu, for the rescue.” She immediately ordered via the wireless headset, “Everyone, break through to the southwest immediately and tear open a gap at the fastest speed!”

With the surprise attack on the rear of the star pirates, their formation was disrupted, and Tang Ce took the opportunity to break through from the other side.

With the sudden support from the eagle Special Forces and the comprehensive counterattack from the Starlight Legion, a huge gap was torn open in the formation of the star pirates. Many of the star pirates’ warships were blasted into pieces and scattered in space.

Lu Zexuan piloted the warship into the encirclement and joined forces with the Starlight Legion’s warships. Suddenly, as if there was a telepathic connection, he turned his head and saw a warship brushing past him.

In the cockpit, dressed in military uniform, with a calm expression—it was the person he had been thinking of day and night—Xie Ran.

Since they had poured out their hearts at the graduation ball, they hadn’t seen each other again. Unexpectedly, their reunion was in such a scene. As their starships passed each other, the moment their eyes met, a strong sense of joy surged in their hearts.

It was him!

Xie Ran executed a graceful aerial arc, bringing the battleship back beside Lu Zexuan. The two exchanged smiles through the porthole once again. Standing side by side, the two battleships communicated not with words but with brief glances, which spoke volumes on the battlefield.

The feud between the Star Pirates and the Federal Legion had been brewing for quite some time. Their ambush to surround the Starlight Legion this time was fueled by a desire for revenge. Unexpectedly, the Eagle Special Forces happened to pass by and provided timely rescue, disrupting their plans.

“Retreat!” The order was given, and the Star Pirates began to withdraw swiftly.

Xie Ran thought victory was assured, but at that moment, a tracking cannon suddenly targeted the battleship he was on!

Lu Zexuan clearly saw this and couldn’t help but shout, “Ranran, be careful!”

Tracking cannons could lock onto targets, and since they were amidst a crowd, if the tracking cannon exploded, countless soldiers would be sacrificed. Almost simultaneously, they instinctively maneuvered their ships left and right, dodging out of the encirclement.

As long as they maintained enough speed to shake off the tracking cannon or destroyed it with their onboard weapons, they would be safe.

During their time at the military academy, the two often practiced controlling battleships together. Although this was their first time fighting side by side, they had an extraordinary level of coordination. Xie Ran veered left, Lu Zexuan veered right, and together they steered their ships forward, swiftly evading the tracking cannon amidst the crowd.

Lu Zexuan aimed at the tracking projectile pursuing Xie Ran and said to himself, “Ranran, veer right by 15 degrees, I’ll take care of it!”

Xie Ran couldn’t hear Lu Zexuan’s voice, but he made the exact same move as Lu Zexuan anticipated. He piloted the battleship through space at high speed, executing a beautiful tailspin that caused the tracking projectile to deviate by 15 degrees, coincidentally entering Lu Zexuan’s firing range. In his mind, Xie Ran said, “It’s up to you now!” Lu Zexuan indeed pressed the fire button.

“Boom!” The miniature bomb launched from the battleship precisely hit the tracking cannon.

An explosion erupted behind them, casting a dazzling blaze. Xie Ran piloted the battleship, darting out like an arrow from the fire. Their teamwork had saved them from danger.

Xie Ran and Lu Zexuan exchanged glances through the cockpit, both exhaling in relief simultaneously. Lu Zexuan had personally taught Xie Ran piloting skills, and thankfully, their synchrony had not been undermined by the Star Pirates.

Just then, Xie Ran heard his mother’s calm command through the headset, “Space wormhole detected ahead, everyone return to the mothership immediately!”

In Lu Zexuan’s headset, there was his elder brother’s furious shout, “Zexuan, there’s a wormhole ahead, get back here now!”

A space wormhole? Before Xie Ran could react, a powerful force sucked him into darkness.

To avoid the tracking cannon from harming other comrades, they had cooperated just now, piloting their battleships away from the crowd. However, they unintentionally rushed into the vicinity of an unknown space wormhole while escaping the tracking cannon.

The wormhole’s gravity caused the battleship to sway wildly. Xie Ran’s head spun, and when he looked back, he saw a familiar battleship charging towards him. Xie Ran’s heart nearly burst as he shouted, “Lu Zexuan, are you out of your mind? Why are you rushing in here?”

He knew Lu Zexuan couldn’t hear his voice.

Meanwhile, Lu Zexuan, filled with anxiety, watched helplessly as RanRan was sucked into the wormhole. In that moment, his actions surpassed his thoughts; almost without hesitation, he followed, releasing the ship’s extending rod and grasping the tail of Xie Ran’s ship with all his strength.

Lu Zexuan changed direction, pushing the ship’s power to the maximum, attempting to forcibly pull Xie Ran out of the wormhole. But he was a second too slow.

Xie Ran had already been pulled in, and what chance did the ship’s power have against the immense gravity of the cosmic wormhole? He failed to pull Xie Ran out and instead was dragged into the cosmic wormhole by Xie Ran’s battleship!

One ship following the other, they tumbled madly within the dark abyss of the wormhole.

Lu Zexuan immediately activated the protective shield, watching the falling battleships ahead and the debris of mechs swirling around them. He tightly gripped the control lever, his voice hoarse as he said, “Ranran… I never thought that after graduation, we would meet again under these circumstances.”

Xie Ran looked back at Lu Zexuan, eyes filled with bitterness, saying in his mind, “Zexuan, we were born on the same day of the same month of the same year. It seems today, we’re going to die together here…”

Tears welled up in Lu Zexuan’s eyes as he softly replied, “It’s not bad to die together with you.”

Minutes passed, feeling like an eternity. Both were prepared for death. Unexpectedly, there was an exit beneath the wormhole. The immense wormhole spat out the two starships, which rapidly plummeted. They felt dizzy and disoriented, until finally, with a loud thud, the ships landed in a strange forest.

Lu Zexuan and Xie Ran looked at each other… They weren’t dead after all?