“Brother Jiang, your son and his two friends are at my home right now. My wife is looking after them, and they are absolutely safe for the moment. The three children were a bit shaken, but their injuries have been treated,” Planet Governor Leng An said as soon as he got on the line.
“What happened?” Jiang Ye interrupted him.
Jiang Ye’s eyelids twitched violently, and a buzzing sound filled his mind.
Although Jiang Senlin was disobedient and often caused trouble, he was his own flesh and blood, his son whom he had raised for so many years.
The fact that Planet Governor Leng An started by saying “absolutely safe for the moment” sent a chill down Jiang Ye’s spine.
“A group of professional killers, eight in total, entered a restaurant called Ju Wan Ban Mian Dian five nights ago. In the early hours of the morning, around 2 AM, they murdered the entire family of seven who owned the place. They wrapped the bodies in dozens of layers of plastic wrap and air freshener and hid them in the attic. These killers then put on the victims’ employee uniforms and began operating the ban mian restaurant daily,” Planet Governor Leng An explained. “Jiang Senlin and his two friends often went to that shop. Yesterday evening, they went in and didn’t come out for a long time, and the shop closed early. One of my hidden sentries felt something was wrong, so he smashed the door open to investigate. He was shot dead the moment he entered.”
Jiang Ye’s hand holding the phone began to tremble. He walked to the table, poured himself a cup of calming tea, and took a sip.
“As soon as the sentry died, the follow-up special agents were dispatched to attack the ban mian shop. Four killers were shot dead on the first floor. Upon reaching the second floor, they discovered Jiang Senlin and his two friends wielding cleavers used for butchering pork bones. They had already killed three of the four killers on the second floor, leaving one alive,” Planet Governor Leng An continued. “Jiang Senlin was shot in the leg and sustained some superficial knife wounds and abrasions, but they’ve been treated. His two friends were also shot, but none of the injuries were life-threatening.”
Jiang Ye rubbed his scalp. He felt all his hormones surging to the top of his head, his blood igniting like liquid explosives.
A feeling of extreme fear and extreme rage gripped him, making sweat pour out of him. Jiang Ye felt like a sponge, his clothes becoming visibly soaked.
His watch alarm went off: heart rate too high. Jiang Ye glanced at it; it read 177.
His normal heart rate during work was typically between 55 and 60, a sinus bradycardia. This was because Jiang Ye’s heart was very strong, akin to that of an athlete or a soldier. While an ordinary person’s heart might need to pump twice or thrice to supply the entire body, Jiang Ye only needed to pump once.
“I am truly sorry, Brother Jiang. Our security measures were inadequate,” Planet Governor Leng An said, his voice filled with bewilderment. “I’m so sorry, truly sorry. I don’t know how to face you. I feel so guilty…”
“It’s alright. As long as everyone is safe, that’s what matters. I apologize for causing you trouble,” Jiang Ye said, placing his hand on his chest and trying to calm himself. “I’ll arrange for troops to come and pick up Jiang Senlin.”
“Good! Senlin is at my home… I’m so sorry, truly sorry, for my oversight…” Planet Governor Leng An continued to apologize incessantly, his words becoming jumbled. “If my son were kidnapped by someone outside, I would definitely be devastated. You understand…”
“There’s no need to blame yourself. Your security response was swift. One can never predict such things, can they? Jiang Senlin is safe, and it was a close call. There’s no reason to resent you,” Jiang Ye’s hands still trembled uncontrollably, his face turning pale as he tried to maintain a calm tone. “Besides bringing Jiang Senlin back, there’s something else I need your help with!”
“Please, tell me. I will certainly do it, I will certainly do it!” Planet Governor Leng An replied.
“Find out who is behind those killers. There’s still one killer left, isn’t there? Don’t kill him. Interrogate him thoroughly to find out who the mastermind is,” Jiang Ye said. “If you get any information, please inform me immediately.”
“Understood! He’s already being interrogated! We will definitely get to the bottom of this!” Planet Governor Leng An stated. “We’ve already identified the families of those killers and are on our way to apprehend them at their homes. I’ll personally oversee this case.”
“Good, I trust you to handle it,” Jiang Ye nodded. “Can my son take a call?”
“Yes, yes, yes. Senlin, come and speak to your father.”
“Dad,” Jiang Senlin’s voice came through, his tone very calm, devoid of anger or fear. “I’m fine. I’m at the Governor’s wife’s place. There are many military and police patrols outside, so I am very safe.”
Jiang Ye felt a sense of relief, and his watch’s heart rate reading gradually decreased. “I’ll send someone to pick you up. Pack your things. Have you spoken to your mother?”
“Not yet. I told you first. After I finish talking to you, I’ll call Mom,” Jiang Senlin said. “Dad, I want to bring my two friends with me. They took bullets for me and almost died. They’re very scared now.”
“Of course,” Jiang Ye said. “The spaceship is big enough; bringing a few more people is not a problem. Once they’re here, arrange accommodations for them.”
“Can I also bring the families of my two friends?” Jiang Senlin asked. “They said they want to be with their families.”
“Yes, you can,” Jiang Ye paused. “Is there anything else you need?”
“Nothing for now,” Jiang Senlin replied. “I’m a bit tired and want to sleep.”
“Alright, you sleep. I’ll call your mother,” Jiang Ye said. “Just take care of yourself. I’ll handle everything else.”
…
Half an hour after the incident.
Cold An Star’s capital city, Star Station, Terminal.
Passengers were resting on public seats, their bulky bags beside them, occasionally glancing at the timetable displaying information for dozens of spacecraft. The weather was good today, and there were no military exercises. All spacecraft were listed as “Normal” in green.
Flight attendants in white uniform skirts walked in teams towards the jet bridges, their steps as elegant as swans gliding across a lake, each pulling a small suitcase.
The chief flight attendant arrived at the jet bridge door and swiped her face to identify herself.
“Access Denied!” The jet bridge suddenly turned red.
The chief flight attendant blinked, assuming it was a machine malfunction, and leaned closer to swipe her face again.
But red lights illuminated from all directions, accompanied by a clamor throughout the terminal. Many passengers who had been slumped on the benches stood up in shock.
A young flight attendant behind her reached out and tapped the bewildered chief flight attendant’s shoulder, pointing to the giant timetable on the wall.
A bizarre scene unfolded on the timetable. The “Normal” status, which had been entirely green moments ago, had all turned to a scarlet “Flight Ban.” Dozens of spacecraft were collectively grounded.
The flight attendants were filled with disbelief. They hadn’t seen a red flight ban symbol in years. Normally, it was either green for normal or orange for delays. What could possibly go wrong with a single spacecraft to warrant a sudden flight ban? Yet, all spacecraft were now banned from flying!
“Is it a malfunction?” The chief flight attendant pulled out her phone, anxiously dialing.
Before she could even make the call, the broadcast chimed in.
“Dear passengers, according to the notice from higher authorities, all star stations on Cold An Star are suspended and have entered a lockdown state. The specific reasons are unknown. Those with urgent travel missions are requested to submit a special flight application…”