Chapter 88. The Republic was invited to rescue the special envoy
Ingmar left the infirmary with a serious face and walked slowly to the nearest elevator. Just now, he learned from Dr. Celia that Ted was dead. His good mood suddenly disappeared. In fact, he just wanted to get some medicine for his headache. He hadn't slept much since he was with Shu Ran, and he had to pay the price after all. But when he saw Celia, he immediately knew something was wrong. Of course, he tried to comfort and encourage her, but he felt like he didn't do much. On the one hand, he himself was shocked, and on the other hand, he couldn't think of any words of comfort. So he just hugged her and gave her a little relief.
When the elevator door opened, Shu Ran stood in front of him. She had just finished her shift and was on her way to her place. His sadness subsided slightly and he smiled and nodded at her.
Her eyes began to light up as she recognized him. But when she saw his sadness, her expression turned concerned. "Hi, Ingmar. Is everything okay?"
He stepped into the elevator and gave her a brief kiss. Then said: "I just learned that Ted passed away."
She wrapped her arms around him. "It's a pity. Were you familiar with him?"
"No, not really. But given his state, his death was expected. However, it makes me sadder than I expected."
Shu Ran listened silently. What should she say?
The elevator has reached the next floor. Shu Ran's residence is here. She held Ingemar. "I'm sorry. I have something to do. Helanmin, my roommate, was discharged from the infirmary today. I should accompany her."
Ingmar nodded in disappointment, hoping she hadn't noticed. "Then tomorrow."
"I'm not sure yet. It depends on Helanmin's condition. I guess she still needs my help. I'll call you." She took a step back and left the door's sensing range. The elevator doors closed immediately so she couldn't see his frustrated expression.
Ingmar couldn't believe it. He also needs her by his side for support. Who is she with now? After all, they were together, not her and Helanmin. His disappointment was beyond words. It was sobering and painful. At the same time, there was a soft voice in his mind warning him not to be too harsh. After all, in a relationship, friendship cannot be ignored. Moreover, Shu Ran was right to take care of her colleagues. After all, she had a head injury and was probably a little uncomfortable.
Distraught, Ingmar left the elevator and walked to his apartment. She said she would contact him. Well, he'll be waiting. He would never take the initiative to contact her. Now it's her turn.
...
Carol quickly checked the settings on the handheld laser. By regulation, the laser is set to anesthesia mode. She inserted it into the bracket on her belt and looked at her colleagues. Murakami, Gladys and two other security officers were ready for the outdoor mission. Unlike her, all four carry laser rifles. They all wear black bulletproof vests that can withstand most laser fire.
A few minutes ago, Captain Noah issued the mission order. This is a rescue operation. By all odds, they had located the hostages. At least very likely hostages. The results come after a second large-scale scan of the planet's surface. They have been looking for signs of life outside the settlement. Four individuals were found who were apparently outside the settlement. More detailed scans revealed that the four men were inside a cave system stretching several kilometers south of the capital. All four are clearly human. Who would willingly hide in a cave system like this unless they were kidnappers? Scanners cannot determine who is the hostage and who is the kidnapper. So they have no choice but to enter the cave themselves to find the hostages.
Noah was also standing in the teleportation cabin. In fact, he had planned to lead the outdoor mission himself, but Carol made it clear to him that there was no point in risking both the captain and chief officer. Especially after the events of the past few days. And by Starfleet orders, he had to stay on the ship. After all, he had command responsibility for the ship and crew. He reluctantly agreed to her suggestion.
Carol entered the teleportation platform with security officials. She holds a triangular scanner in her hand, ready to detect her surroundings immediately after teleportation. She definitely didn't want to be ambushed.
Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Io Murakami clutching his laser rifle. She knew this was his first assignment as head of security. Although he has not been officially appointed as head of security, as Ted's deputy, he has now assumed the role of head of security.
Ted's death has not been officially announced. Events were happening so closely that there was barely time to breathe, let alone hold a meeting to announce such a thing. After the foreign aid team returns, Noah will announce Ted's death, regardless of what happens next. This is his firm determination.
"Good luck," he said to the foreign aid squad, then motioned to Tiny. After a few seconds, the foreign aid team disappeared.
"Keep track of the team at all times. In an emergency, we have to get them back immediately."
"Of course," Tiny smiled and nodded. She had planned to do this for a long time.
...
The foreign aid team is surrounded by darkness. So dark that they couldn't even see their own hands. Carol was a little surprised, they had just teleported into a cave system. Of course there is no daylight here. And the settlers didn't see the need to install electric lights here. What's the need?
Fortunately, she found that the security team was more thoughtful. Because the four lights behind her lit up immediately. The laser rifle is equipped with a small searchlight that illuminates its surroundings. Lights bounced off the nearby walls. There are cracks and crevices everywhere, some probably very old. Sediments brought by seeping water cover the walls. In the larger cracks, columnar stalactites form, giving the walls the appearance of a pipe organ system in a very large church. Thousand-year-old stalactites hang from the ceiling and grow opposite those on the ground.
Stalactites are not the only obstacles on the ground. Rock fragments of various sizes litter the ground, and there are also cracks and crevices where you could be injured if you accidentally walk into them.
Fresh air. The temperature here certainly doesn't exceed ten degrees Celsius, and the only sound that can be heard is that of a drop of water falling into a small puddle.
Carol pulled out her triangle scanner and looked at the display. They teleport themselves a certain distance away from the four signs of life to avoid detection. Now they must cross the passage. Fortunately, she did not discover the man-made trap. They were now in a passage leading into the mountain. The kidnappers will definitely not monitor this place because they will not expect any surprise attack from here.
"Mr. Io Murakami, please lead the way." Carol had to let him take the lead because she didn't have a flashlight of her own. Fortunately, the four existing lamps provided her with enough light as well.
Murakami Io walked up to her with long strides. His snow-white hair almost gleamed in the searchlight light. Due to his height, he bends down more often than the others to avoid hitting the cave ceiling. His two healed tentacles are tightly attached to his head, complementing his focused and serious expression.
The progress is slow. Slower than they planned. Carol kept an eye on her delta scanner, but didn't see anything out of the ordinary. Finally, the data showed they were approaching a larger hall. After walking a few steps, they could see the glow of a light ahead. The uniform light indicates that it is artificial light.
"Lights out," Carol whispered. Scanners revealed two signs of life in the hall.
They continued to sneak cautiously, it was not easy to walk on uneven ground in the dark. Still, they walked down the hall almost silently. Before them, the passage widened and the ceiling arched upward. The rock features above the hall are different, so there are few stalactites and the ground is almost flat. It wasn't until the end of the hall that the stalactites appeared again.
In the middle of the hall is a small generator that powers three lamps. Directly close to one of the lights was an older man with thinning gray hair tied to a chair. His clothes were filthy. His face was also covered in dirt. He didn't appear to be injured. From the position of the rescue team, it was impossible to tell whether he was an envoy or a kidnapped driver.
One of the kidnappers kept walking around the prisoner. Judging from his expression, something seemed to dissatisfy him.
"Our request is really not too much, right?" the kidnapper said angrily.
"Your request means I am lying to Earth. I would never do that," the captive replied unwaveringly.
Carol observed this scene with some surprise. Were not the assassins' demands directed against the colonial assemblies? And aren’t these demands explicitly pro-Earth? So what else could they ask of an envoy now without causing the Earth to lose all trust?
Perhaps this request was just a cover for the Council to temporarily prevent Earth from taking countermeasures?
But none of that matters. Their mission is to rescue the hostages. And that's exactly what they're going to do.
Carol gestured to Io Murakami. She wanted to kill the kidnapper so he wouldn't have the chance to raise the alarm. Due to their numerical and technological superiority, the rescue operation should only take a few minutes.
"We are loyal to the earth and just want to prevent a bloody incident." The kidnapper said excitedly, with his back to the crowded tunnel. Io Murakami took advantage of this opportunity, took a step forward, and aimed his illuminated rifle.
"You are not helping anyone. On the contrary..." The kidnapped man's words stopped abruptly, and his eyes passed through the sudden appearance of Murakami Io.
The kidnappers also turned around. However, he had no more time to react. Murakami's accurate shot shook him and he quickly fell to the ground.
Others quickly entered the cave and silently released the hostages.
"Who are you?" the rescued man wanted to ask, but Gladys silenced him immediately with a brief gesture. They have to stay calm now. Somewhere in this cave system, there is another kidnapper. They didn't want to alert him.
Murakami Io used tacit gestures to indicate the location to ensure the protection of the second entrance to the hall. Behind this entrance, another, wider passage stretches. The passage is large enough that even a tall man like Io Murakami can stand upright easily. In addition, small artificial light sources are also installed here to provide sufficient brightness.
But before the security team could position themselves, a second kidnapper appeared in the passage. His thin face was filled with tension. His eyes were closed, his expression determined. He took another hostage and held him so tightly that the man could barely move. He also held a knife against the hostage's neck. As long as the hostage moved a little, the blade would cut his skin.
"Who are you?" the kidnapper asked angrily. Apparently, he was not happy at all with these intruders. He quickly scanned the hall. He saw five strangers, their weapons pointed at him. He knew how slim his chances were. However, he wasn't about to give up just yet.
"Drop your weapons and return to where you came from," he ordered aggressively, emphasizing his request by hugging the hostage tighter, causing the blade to slice through the upper layer of skin on the hostage's neck.
Carol looked at him firmly. She lowered her weapon and said calmly: "Put down the knife and release the man. We can talk."
The kidnapper had sweat on his forehead. Things didn't go at all smoothly, not nearly as he had planned. "No, you leave." He said nervously: "I will count to three, and then the hostage will die."
Gladys fired one shot at us, hitting the kidnapper's knife. The knife fell to the ground and the kidnapper turned around and ran away in a hurry.
The rescued person had closed his eyes at this time. He felt the fear of death and tried not to tremble as the blade cut across his neck painfully. He was also very pale.
"I am the second commander, from the Republic." Carol introduced herself. "I assume you are an envoy from Earth?"
"Yes, I am Special Envoy Havendes," he replied, looking at the kidnappers and the rescued hostages lying on the ground. "Thank you for saving me."
"You're welcome, this is our duty." Carol said. "Now we should get out of here as quickly as possible."
"I agree," Harvenders agreed as he stood up. "There is another kidnapper on the run, we can't delay any longer."
"Do you know where he went?" Murakami asked.
"He said they had a hiding place where they could escape, but he didn't say where exactly," Havendes replied. "Their hideout may be in a nearby underground cave system. They set a trap inside in order to escape."
"Okay, we'll be careful," Carol said. "It's best if you stay with us so we can keep you safe."
Havendes nodded in agreement, and then left the hall with Murakami Io. When leaving the cave, he looked back at the kidnappers and members of the rescue team lying on the ground. He was filled with mixed emotions. The incident happened so suddenly that he had no chance to process his feelings. He was grateful to those who saved his life, but at the same time felt sad for the innocent victims.
Along the way, the rescue team carefully made their way through the cave system. They encountered no other kidnappers and triggered no traps. Soon, they finally returned to the outside world. The entire rescue operation went smoother than expected.
Back on the ship, Carol and Havendes went to the bridge to report to the captain. Captain Noah said he was very satisfied with the entire rescue operation and praised the performance of the entire team.
After the rescue operation, the crew continued their mission. However, this incident gave them some new insights. They learn that in an innocent incident, even the smallest action can have unintended consequences. Every decision is carefully considered and every step taken with care to protect the crew and anyone affected.
Havendes was visibly upset about his situation. This may be because the rescue was not accomplished by Earth's military, or it may be because he is covered in dirt.
"Let's get you to our ship first. Then we can discuss next steps," Carol suggested.
At this time, Havendes seemed to remember something. "You are the aliens that attacked Earth two weeks ago," he said.
Carol and Io Murakami were both surprised.
