FT DR Chapter 139: Worlds Apart

Chapter 139: Worlds Apart

Translated by Addis of Exiled Rebels Scanlations

Editor: Karai

 

In an instant shock, Chen Miaomiao’s back slammed heavily onto the ground. The whole world suddenly seemed to quiet down. Before his eyes, everything turned white. His body felt like a limp puppet, out of control—unable to hear, unable to see, unable to perceive.

A buzzing sound. After a few seconds, his ears, like speakers hit by an electric current, suddenly emitted a piercing scream. Then, with a “boom,” the cacophony of noises around him surged back like a tide. Chen Miaomiao suddenly took a deep breath, his pupils contracted, his body spasmed as if convulsing, and a mouthful of blood foam choked out of his mouth. Finally, he regained consciousness.

Where am I? Am I still alive? Chen Miaomiao lay on the ground, unable to move, feeling a sharp, burning pain in his chest. His breaths tore at his throat, hot and choking. He struggled to lift his hand, but his limbs refused to cooperate, only managing to move a finger before it weakly fell back to the ground.

The footsteps of Marlow leaving were still faintly audible, “Clap, clap, clap…” Each step felt like a knife stabbing into his heart. Chen Miaomiao wanted to cry out loud, but no tears came out. He could only futilely gasp for air, forcefully pushing the stale, burnt-tasting air into his lungs, then sending it to his weakened heart.

I must survive!

Chen Miaomiao smelled the strong scent of blood, his blood gushing out continuously from the wound on his left chest. The railgun must have hit a major blood vessel. He wasn’t a sentinel. He’d die if he kept bleeding like this… He saw the medical kit not far from his right hand, so he struggled to reach for it. But as he moved his upper body, a wrenching pain surged again, and he passed out once more.

“He’s here! We found him…”

“He’s alive… Call the medical officer…”

“It’s okay, his heart’s not hit… but he’s lost too much blood…”

The clamor of voices woke Chen Miaomiao. He blinked dazedly, seeing several blurry figures. Then, a familiar face approached, a bright light sweeping across his pupils. Someone shouted anxiously in his ear, “Miaomiao! Chen Miaomiao! Can you hear me?”

Senior… Chen Miaomiao’s lips moved, but he couldn’t make a sound. He heard Wu Chenghe’s voice, muffled as if through a fog, with a faint echo, “He’s okay, take him back to the flagship…”

When Chen Miaomiao woke up again, he found himself lying on a clean hospital bed. Above him was a light blue arched ceiling, with the Federal Legion’s crossed sword and shield emblem embedded in the center. A slender figure stood at the door, talking to someone outside, “He’s about to wake up. I have to stay with him. He’s so badly injured, I need to know who did this to him!”

“Don’t you know you’re pregnant? Who sent you onto the enemy ship? Which bastard did that to you, huh?” Jin Xuan’s voice was furious, “Am I still the fleet captain? Am I still your superior? Is there any discipline left here? Why didn’t you wait for me to come back?”

“He’s been shot in the left chest! Just a little bit away from his heart! How would I know when you’d come back?!” Wu Chenghe’s voice also became agitated, “I contacted you the moment I received the message. You were in the mecha! Could I have had you bring the mecha back at that time?”

“Why didn’t you send someone else then? Why did you go yourself?” Jin Xuan roared, “Are you trying to scare me to death? Can you think about me and the child next time you go out risking your life amidst gunfire?!”

“I… I’m sorry, it was my fault. I won’t do it again next time.” Wu Chenghe’s voice weakened.

“Next time? There’s going to be a next time?!” Jin Xuan angrily retorted, “Do you want me to issue an order to confine you to the main cabin?”

“That’s enough, get out!” Wu Chenghe pushed him to his limits, “I’ve apologized, what more do you want? This is the medical bay, not the control room. Go vent your anger in your own territory. I don’t have time for this!”

“If apologies worked, why do we need military discipline? I am the fleet captain! Every ship and every cabin here is under my authority!” Jin Xuan, fearing to harm the child, didn’t dare touch him. He could only retreat, criticizing him while retreating, “You dare to disobey my orders and let the guards take you to the enemy ship? You disdain my authority, you’re downright crazy…”

“Go sue me in a military court then!” Wu Chenghe drove him away, closing the door with resentment. He muttered under his breath, “Mad dog! Rabies!”

Chen Miaomiao lay on the hospital bed, gradually understanding from their conversation that he was already on the “Tianzhu” fleet flagship. Hearing them arguing for him, he felt a strange urge to laugh, but remembering Marlow piercing through his left chest, he couldn’t find the laughter anymore. Taking a deep breath, he barely uttered a weak voice, “Senior…”

“Miaomiao!” Wu Chenghe immediately rushed to the bedside, “You’re awake? How do you feel?”

“Ve… very good.” Chen Miaomiao had no strength, just saying a few words made him see stars. Wu Chenghe pressed his hand gently, saying, “Don’t talk, you need to rest.”

“No.” Chen Miaomiao closed his eyes for a moment, shaking his head, “Did… did Yuechao win? Wiped out… wiped out completely? Are there… any prisoners?”

“A few warships escaped.” Wu Chenghe said, “About half were wiped out. Jin Xuan is currently overseeing the restructuring of prisoners.”

“Mar… Marlow…?”

“The prisoner list doesn’t have him,” Wu Chenghe said, “and he’s not on the casualty list either. He should have been taken away. Thanks to the message he sent me, I was able to bring people to rescue you. If it had been a moment later, that ship would have exploded.”

A bitter smile appeared at the corner of Chen Miaomiao’s mouth, but he said nothing. Wu Chenghe patted his head and asked, “Who did this to you? Latika’s people?”

Chen Miaomiao fell into silence, staring blankly at the crossed sword and shield emblem on the ceiling, before whispering, “Marlow.”

Wu Chenghe was inexplicably shocked, “What did you say? Marlow?” His gaze swept over Chen Miaomiao’s left chest, “This spot… Did he intend to kill you? Then why did he send me a message to save you?”

Yes, why? Chen Miaomiao felt dizzy, his mind constantly flashing back to the last moments with Marlow: one moment he asked if it hurt, the next he raised the railgun towards him… Wait a minute! Chen Miaomiao suddenly caught onto something amidst the chaotic details. He pondered desperately, exerting all his effort to focus, finally realizing an important question—given Marlow’s marksmanship, at a distance of less than two meters face to face, how could he have failed to kill him?

“Senior…” Chen Miaomiao weakly grasped Wu Chenghe’s hand, “Can you… tell me the specifics of my injuries?”

“Don’t worry, you’re fine,” Wu Chenghe thought he was worried about his injuries and explained, “The beam was adjusted very narrowly, entering from below the clavicle, passing through the chest from the back. There’s no fracture, and it didn’t hit the heart or lungs, just some nerve bundles and blood vessels, causing subcutaneous emphysema of the left chest wall. The only relatively dangerous part is that it grazed a major blood vessel, causing significant bleeding, but I’ve stitched you up, and it should heal in a few days.”

Chen Miaomiao was a doctor himself, very familiar with human anatomy. As Wu Chenghe spoke, he imagined how precisely calculated Marlow’s shot must have been—Marlow adjusted the beam to its weakest, entering from above his chest, avoiding the heart and lungs, avoiding the ribs… the vessel graze might have been accidental, but the profuse bleeding would better fake his death. At that time, Latika was standing behind Marlow, seeing so much blood from his left chest, she must have had no doubt that he was dead.

After Latika left, Marlow sent another message to Wu Chenghe. Marlow knew that they were besieged by the main force of the “Tianzhu,” and Wu Chenghe, as Jin Xuan’s full-time doctor, would definitely accompany Jin Xuan… Marlow had planned everything meticulously, neither letting Latika take him away nor putting him in real danger.

Chen Miaomiao’s breathing became rapid, his eyes faintly reddening. He recalled his last conversation with Marlow before leaving the stellar core base. Marlow’s tone was so anxious, so sincere, it couldn’t have been faked. Marlow didn’t have such good acting skills. At that time, Marlow probably didn’t even know that Latika had already betrayed them. He must have thought that the “Yuechao” fleet was really escorting their medical ship.

Later, when he was brought to the “Yuechao” flagship, he was too angry to notice Marlow’s expression. Now, remembering it, he vaguely remembered Marlow looking very haggard and melancholic at the time, as if he had experienced a manic episode, with a faint red mist in his eyes.

Yes, it must have been when the two fleets intersected that Marlow discovered Latika’s intentions, but by then it was too late. He was just an ordinary navigator, without the authority to lead the entire “Yuechao” fleet back to the Federation, nor could he control General Latika. What’s more serious was that the source of the rebellion was his father, Commander Hannibal… No, now he should be called Emperor Hannibal!

With his biological father betraying the nation and declaring himself emperor, as the son of the emperor, what position did Marlow have to stay in the Federation? Lead an attack against his own father? Or be held hostage, subjected to the judgment of the people?

The Federation could no longer trust him. Letting him stay in the Independent Vanguard and return to the Voyager Army was his only choice, even if he was unwilling and had no other path to take… Chen Miaomiao thought quickly, his heart pounding like a drum, causing pain in his chest. 

Wu Chenghe noticed his agitation and immediately gave him a sedative, saying, “What’s wrong with you? Don’t get excited, calm down. It’s not good for your wound. Don’t worry, Jin Xuan will bring back the ‘Yuechao.’ Marlow and Latika can’t escape the Alpha Front…”

“No… No.” The sedative quickly took effect, Chen Miaomiao’s eyes began to blur. He struggled to shake his head slowly, tears rolling down his cheeks, “Don’t… don’t hurt him, he’s suffering so much… he didn’t… he’s in more pain than I am… don’t… don’t…” Before he could finish, he closed his eyes and fell asleep, leaving only a wet mark on the pillow.

Wu Chenghe knew about his feelings for Marlow, and watching him suffer such conflict, he felt deeply sorry for him. No matter how strong, how open and cheerful a person was, being shot through the chest by the person they secretly loved for four years, they probably couldn’t let go for a lifetime, especially Chen Miaomiao, who was such a pure and passionate young man…

“Get some rest, you need it.” Wu Chenghe wiped the cold sweat from his forehead, wiped away the tears from his cheeks, murmuring, “Everything will be okay, the rebels are destined to fail, any attempt to divide humanity will never succeed.”

Chen Miaomiao gradually fell into a deep sleep, and his vital signs stabilized. Wu Chenghe activated the AI nurse and quietly left the medical cabin. Outside, the battle had just ended, and soldiers were returning to their respective quarters. The corridors were crowded with people, and medical personnel occasionally carried injured soldiers past. Wu Chenghe assisted the ship’s doctor in assigning wounded soldiers and treating some minor cases until he felt some stiffness in his waist. Finally, he left the operating room and prepared to return to the main cabin to rest.

Although this pregnancy was a singleton, it seemed more difficult than when he was pregnant with twins. He always felt hungry and tired because he ate too much. In less than two months, his belly had started to bulge, and his military pants were getting tight. This was also why Jin Xuan had erupted in anger when he ran off alone to rescue Chen Miaomiao. His body was too weak, and there was a risk of miscarriage in the early stages of pregnancy. Now, they were also in the middle of a war. If something happened, it would be a complete disaster for the family.

As he walked and pondered, Wu Chenghe had already forgiven Jin Xuan for his previous outburst and began to reflect on whether he had been too impulsive. It was better not to rush out without thinking next time, driven by hot blood.

Just as he was about to pass through the control room to return to the main cabin to sleep, Wu Chenghe suddenly heard a familiar voice. He stopped and looked inside, only to see everyone in the control room staring at a huge holographic projection above the console. In the projection, there was a figure that resembled President Jin Zhe. However, the man in the image was unmistakably Jin Zhe, dressed in a gray shirt and black trousers, but his right sleeve was empty—he was an amputee!

“Citizens of the Federation, soldiers, good evening. I am President Jin Zhe, and I am speaking to you from Tianque Spaceport.” In the holographic video, Jin Zhe’s voice was deep and firm, tinged with a hint of melancholy. “Two hours ago, we received news of the defection of the Commander-in-Chief of the Voyager Army, Hannibal. He unilaterally declared five days ago at the Gabriel Military Harbor that he would lead the Voyager Army to withdraw from the Federation, no longer be subject to the orders of the federal government, and establish a military empire with the Alpha Front of the Chain Nebula as its boundary, proclaiming himself emperor.”

The entire room erupted in astonishment. Wu Chenghe was too shocked to speak. It wasn’t because Hannibal had defected; he had already learned about it after waking up from hibernation. The key was, why was Jin Zhe missing an arm?!

Why hadn’t Jin Xuan told him? What had happened near Tianque Spaceport? Wu Chenghe couldn’t find Jin Xuan anywhere. He grabbed a passing soldier, “What happened to the president? Why is his arm missing?”

The soldier, apparently from another ship and unaware of Wu Chenghe’s position as a full-time military doctor, said, “Don’t you know? The president was ambushed near Tianque Spaceport. He nearly died but was rescued later. However, he lost his right arm.”

“Near Tianque Spaceport?” Wu Chenghe was even more surprised. “Did the rebels attack Tianque Spaceport?” It was impossible! They couldn’t have penetrated so deep into the frontline alone!

“I heard it was for a research starship. The Voyager Army wanted something from that ship,” the soldier said. “The president’s fleet happened to pass by, and the two sides clashed. In the end, the rebels were unsuccessful.”

A research starship? The only research starship in the jurisdiction of the Independent Vanguard recently was… Wu Chenghe’s face turned pale. 

The soldier continued gossiping, “I heard the president’s lover was on that ship, so he risked his life to save them. The government even activated the Succession Act a few days ago, thinking he was dead, but later found out he escaped with his lover… Thank goodness, we shouldn’t change presidents at such a critical moment. President Jin Zhe is still more reliable.”

Wu Chenghe was too shocked to speak. Why hadn’t anyone told him such a big thing? Why hadn’t anyone told him about Mu’s accident with Jin Zhe? Where was Jin Xuan? Was this his doing?

Jin Xuan was nowhere to be seen, too busy to be found. In the giant holographic projection in the control room, Jin Zhe’s speech continued, “At this moment, I am deeply saddened. Since leaving our mother planet Earth, the eight hundred and fifty-eight years of peace and unity for humanity have been declared over today! Hannibal, disregarding the overall interests of humanity, has declared war on all humanity, leading the ‘Capture’ and ‘Kill’ fleet across the Alpha Front, launching a surprise attack on the jurisdiction of the Independent Vanguard, causing massive damage to five space fortresses and the destruction of a civilian port! So far, one thousand eight hundred and forty-two innocent civilians have died, sixty-eight Federation warships have been destroyed, and five hundred and thirty-three Federation soldiers have sacrificed their lives.”

At this point, Jin Zhe’s tone became somewhat unstable. He paused for a moment before continuing, “Here, on behalf of the federal government, I express profound condolences to all the victims and their families! Please, rest assured, the federal government will never bow to any dark forces, will never tolerate any enemies harming Federation citizens! Starting today, the entire Federal Navy will mobilize, together with the Independent Vanguard, to defend the Alpha Front of the Chain Nebula. We will not allow the rebels to take a single step across the line of defense, harming any Federation citizens!”

In the holographic screen, Jin Zhe’s resolute gaze swept slowly across the audience, as if facing countless people and soldiers. His voice was not loud, but it carried a convincing power. “What we face next will be a difficult battle. I urge all humanity, including those in the Voyager Army who have not yet clearly sided with Hannibal, to stand with us! The federal government does not accept any form of division and dictatorship, our people do not accept any form of division and dictatorship. What we need is a democratic federation, a president and parliament elected by universal suffrage, not a so-called ’emperor’ who self-crowns and disregards public opinion!”

In the control room, the officers and soldiers watching the video all displayed expressions of anger. Some clenched their fists tightly, some furrowed their brows with hatred, but no one spoke, still gazing at the president’s haggard yet resolute face.

“Since World War II, the title of ‘Fuhrer’ has disappeared from human history for nearly a millennium. Today, it resurges from the ashes, attempting to drag the Federal Voyager Army into the abyss of Nazi tyranny! But I, Federal President Jin Zhe, will never consent to it!” Jin Zhe’s voice rang out resolutely in the video. “History will not regress, human civilization will not regress. Hannibal’s attempt to prioritize personal desires over all humanity will never succeed!”

“Yes!”

“We cannot let him succeed!”

“Go past the Alpha Line!”

“The Zhi Fu Chain Nebula is ours!”

The warriors shouted one after another, filled with righteous indignation and fervor. Even Wu Chenghe temporarily forgot to settle accounts with Jin Xuan, involuntarily moving closer. Jin Zhe continued, “Since the rebellion began five days ago, besides the First Army’s Hannibal’s direct forces and the ‘Moon Chariot’ fleet, we have yet to receive reports or correspondence from other legions, including parts of the Third Army and the First Army’s peripheral fleets. Due to Hannibal’s information blockade, we have lost contact with these military forces. Currently, the NTU special forces and information teams are rushing to the front lines to establish communication. Here, I sincerely hope that the Federal Legion will unite as one and resist the rebels, maintaining federal unity! Before receiving accurate information, I urge all sectors of society not to unjustly blame the families of the missing legions. They are also victims of this war, just like us. They, like us, are citizens of the federation!”

Finally, Jin Zhe raised his left arm, clenched his fist, and exclaimed, “The Federation will prevail! Justice will prevail!”

“Victory!”

“Victory is certain!”

The generals and soldiers shouted with raised arms. Wu Chenghe’s emotions surged, and he shouted along. After shouting, he suddenly heard a thunderous rumble from his stomach—his youngest was hungry and protesting against him.

Being a pregnant husband was really tough… Wu Chenghe, short of breath from his heroics, held his stomach and went to the main cabin to find something to eat. Only then did he remember Jin Xuan, opening the terminal to send him a message, “Come to the main cabin, bring some food!” 

He intended to demand answers, but Jin Xuan would probably hide and play dead. Being a ninja turtle wasn’t for nothing; this guy couldn’t last a month without a guide, let alone without his equilibrium stabilizers!

Sure enough, as soon as Wu Chenghe returned to the main cabin and changed his clothes, Jin Xuan hurriedly arrived with a pile of food, “How’s Chen Miaomiao? Did you take a nap just now? Did you go to help the medical team again? Yesterday’s cake is still here. Do you want some noodles?”

“He’s a bit excited, took a sedative and went to sleep.” Wu Chenghe delayed settling scores and sat down at the table, searching and found a piece of chocolate cake to eat. “He said that the shot was fired by Marlow. I can’t believe it. He’s liked Marlow for four whole years, and they’re still good friends!”

“Really?” Jin Xuan’s mind always worked faster than his, “Marlow is the shooting champion of the Independent Rangers. He couldn’t hit his heart with one shot from two meters away?”

“Um…” Wu Chenghe choked, took a sip from his cup, “Yeah, you’re right. They were only about two meters apart. There’s no reason Marlow couldn’t hit his heart with such a small difference.” He gestured with his thumb and forefinger, indicating about three centimeters.

“So he did it on purpose,” Jin Xuan said, “Your shooting skills aren’t three centimeters off from two meters. Marlow is the shooting king of the new recruits.”

“… Who’s the married couple here?” Wu Chenghe sweatdropped. 

Jin Xuan chuckled and handed him a wrapped hot dog, “I’m just stating the facts. Here, eat a hot dog. Too much chocolate isn’t good for the baby.”

Wu Chenghe was speechless, took the hot dog and bit into it. Jin Xuan tapped his fingers on the table twice and said, “Regardless of Marlow’s intentions, whether he truly considers him a friend or made a mistake, the outcome of this incident is very favorable for us. If Chen Miaomiao was taken back to Gabriel by Latika, Popova and Chen Zhen would probably turn against the Federation, even if they didn’t want to.”

Wu Chenghe’s mind raced: Was Marlow’s shot intentional? He wanted to keep Chen Miaomiao in the federation and didn’t want Popova and Hannibal to join forces… But isn’t Hannibal his father? What benefit does this bring to him? Although Marlow has always had a strong sense of morality, comparable to Lilith’s, could he really be so selfless?

 

 

 

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