Chapter 20 Chapter Nineteen

goodbye.The Short is only six hours away from the Liberty Star.At this moment, the radar search wave sounded a burst of alarm bells, and Jenkins increased speed.A small dot appeared on the observer. At first he thought it was a CT meteor, and planned to turn around to avoid it, but suddenly a crisp voice came from the beam phone. "Hello, who is it?" Jenkins was startled, and while adjusting the receiver with his numb fingers, he wondered how to answer.The spaceship in front must have belonged to the unknown fleet that had attacked the Star of Liberty.It was English, and Jenkins couldn't tell anything from that alone.English is the common language on all lanes of space.

"Goodbye. Tug Jane." He replied, "From Port Burroughs to Albania." He knew that the Star of Liberty could not be mentioned, otherwise he would kill himself, and then he asked a rhetorical question, "" Who are you?" He looked at the distance meter, waiting for an answer.That ship was 1200 kilometers ahead, still within range of the space cannon.The opponent does not need to use CT missiles at all, a space gun with a caliber of 10 cm is enough to destroy his own tugboat. "Republic of Free Space, battleship CT Invader." The other party replied. Jenkins froze for a moment: "What republic?"

"The Republic of Free Space was announced yesterday by the people of the asteroids. Before the capture of Port Bales, Albania was the temporary capital. The CT Invader is the flagship of the Free Space Fleet." Hope rose again in Nick's heart .Despite Drake's repeated refusal to build CT missiles for the Free Space Underground, the people of the asteroids are still his friends, and O'Brien is likely to lead this new administration. "Mr. Drake is an engineer, not a politician." Ann once said, "He will not participate in any plans of the Free Space Party." After that, a trace of worry flashed across her face, "My father is likely to be with those People get mixed up, and they always get him in trouble."

Nick recalled what Drake had said about the underground: "You asteroids are being treated unfairly in the trusteeship." He remembered saying, "Since the Free Space Party is really for the freedom of asteroids struggling, why not support it?" "I would really like to see the asteroid people regain their freedom." Drake's eyes sparkled with hope, "I believe that the Bryan Transmitter is more effective than all the methods used by the underground organization, and it will definitely liberate the asteroid The people. That's what I've been telling O'Brien all along."

Neither Ann nor Drake directly stated that O'Brien was an active Free Space Party leader, but it was not difficult to infer that from their words.O'Brien must be one of the highly respected members of this new government, so Jenkins couldn't help asking in a low voice, "Who is the head of this new republic?" "It's still just a provisional government, the uprising is led by the Free Space Party, and the people formed spontaneously." "Who is the leader of the party?" "You're asking about military secrets," the other party condemned.

"Until the victory of the uprising, the leadership of the party is kept secret from the enemies of the Star Corporation. However, Obania's interim leader is Bruce. Mr. O'Barian" "Okay," Jenkins said, "I want to speak to him." "We're going to Albania too," the other party ignored his request, "we'll escort you." "I don't need an escort." "You do," said the other. "The Trusteeship fleet has set off here to suppress the Albanian uprising. Mr. Jenkins, you are in a very dangerous position because of your relationship with the Asteroids." Jenkins I couldn't help but wonder, I never mentioned my name, how could the other party know?It seemed that the other party knew in advance that he would come here.Perhaps an asteroid agent had reported his news, or perhaps the other party recognized his voice.Sometimes, the other party's voice sounds very familiar, but I can't remember it for a while.However, it was definitely not O'Baliang's voice, which had an earth accent in it.

He really couldn't think of any earthlings who were fighting with O'Brien.He shrugged impatiently, trying to put the mystery aside and consider what to do next.But don't run into people from the Space Guard, because at this time, you can't escape the two crimes of robbery and treason. "And," the other party added, "we noticed that you have deviated from the correct course and are flying towards the CT meteor cluster. The situation is dangerous, turn right away! Holding the steering wheel, Jenkins hesitated, hoping to spot the Star of Liberty on the sights. Although it was only a six-hour voyage, the actual distance was too far to be seen on the sights. It seems to be much faster. If he can get closer to the Star of Liberty, the meteor swarm will appear densely packed with small dots on the observer, making it difficult for the opponent to distinguish for a while, thus escaping the pursuit. He made up his mind to escape , holding the steering wheel tightly with both hands. At this moment, Jane suddenly walked back.

"Nick! What happened?" "It's nothing." He carefully observed her expression, whether she reported her whereabouts to the other party. Since there is one earthling involved in the asteroid underground organization, there is likely to be a second one.However, nothing could be seen from her face. He turned away again, busily piloting the ship, telling her there was a Free Space Party fleet ahead.She didn't say anything, and Nick realized that he had no choice but to obey the other party's orders. Whether the battleships in front belonged to the asteroids or the people on Earth, they must all be equipped with CT missiles or space rifles, while their own tugboats have no weapons, and there is absolutely no hope of escaping.Fortunately, no matter which faction it is, O'Brien may be able to help.

Three hours later, the tugboat landed at Albania, twenty minutes before the battleship.Nick made a phone call to meet O'Brien in space, and when he got off the tugboat, he found that O'Brien was indeed waiting there, making him heave a long sigh of relief. After the war, Obania was beyond recognition, and Jenkins couldn’t help being stunned, and Jane’s shocked and painful voice came from behind him.He was horrified to see that on the edge of the landing field, the once glorious hexagonal trust building had been razed to the ground, and wisps of smoke still drifted from time to time among the dark rubble and rotten tiles.

Next to the collapsed building was a burnt-out Space Guard cruiser, its flattened hull riddled with shells.The ground around it was even more heavily cratered, and the fire had blackened the loose metal panels of nearby shops, laboratories, and warehouses.A tank lay on its back, long since abandoned. CT's warehouse is still as clean as new, without any damage.A brand-new banner fluttered from the roof, with green stars forming a larger star on a deep black ground.This is probably the flag of this emerging asteroid nation. "Welcome, Mr. Jenkins!" O'Brien's thick voice was habitually carried with the tone of a political speech, and now the voice was filled with the joy of victory, "Welcome to the sacred territory of the Free Space Republic." Behind the asteroid statesman stood a line of soldiers, still dressed in battered miners' uniforms and a black armband with a green star, all gaunt and despondent, a few in black bandages.Each of them is holding an automatic rifle.

"That is the fate of the oppressors." O'Baliang pointed to the pile of ruins and said nonchalantly.He seemed to be drunk, his bloodshot eyes were dull, his heavy body was shaking, he was drunk by victory. "We launched an attack at nine o'clock yesterday morning," he said wearily, "the leader gave us four tons of explosives, and made four bombs at the side door. One was placed under the cruiser, and one was buried in this building Below, the other two spares. We successfully blew up the cruiser and captured the arsenal." He nodded towards the still smoking ruins. "But a shameful traitor betrayed us. The bomb under the building was found before it exploded, so their tanks came out to take the city. We were about to lose." "But we fought for freedom, O'Brien raised his shoulders wearily, "We stopped the tanks with anti-aircraft guns from the arsenal. Later, two young men volunteered to attach bombs to their spacesuits and turn themselves into missiles. The management building The cannon in the gun hit the first man, but the second man hit the target like an atomic bomb." The potbellied man assumed a speaker's pose: "Those two men gave their lives for freedom, But their actions created a new republic of free space that history will forever remember as noble..." Jenkins interrupted him worriedly: "How about those engineers in the hospital?" Highway from the Urego clinic nodded, "Can Urego save them?" "how could I know?" "They weren't injured in the battle, were they?" "There was a battle near the hospital, but I don't know what happened to them." O'Brien shrugged, feeling a little impatient. I don't have time for anything else. I've been busy answering the phone, organizing and leading the uprising on 12 asteroids other than here." Nick's eyes moved to the group of ragged soldiers again.He suddenly felt sympathy for them, and asked suspiciously: "You don't really want to bring down the trusteeship government, do you?" "We already have a reserve force." After speaking, O'Brien sighed heavily, "Thousands of asteroids have sacrificed their lives for freedom. In Port Burroughs, we failed when we captured the government building. .Our uprisings have been crushed everywhere except here.” He looked up at the black sky above the ruins. "Now, it is said, a trustee fleet armed with all planetary forces is coming here with large space cannons and atomic bombs, trying to extinguish the last star of freedom." O'Brien continued stubbornly, " We're going to surprise those mighty enemies!" Looking at the tired, small force, Jenkins immediately objected: "The miners can't defeat space rifles and atomic bombs." "We have better weapons now." O'Brien said proudly, "The party organization is preparing to send us a fleet armed with CT..." "Huh?" Jenkins was stunned, and couldn't help but carefully observe his expression.Could this solve the mystery of the nameless attacker?Can you explain why the Freedom Star was betrayed?He was almost going crazy, and hurriedly asked, "Where did you get the CT weapons?" "That's the secret of the party leadership." O'Brien shook his head. "The 'Stone Brothers' said that our secret fleet armed with CT homing missiles will definitely defeat the trusteeship government and defend our free space republic." Jenkins asked in bewilderment: "Who are the 'Stone Brothers'?" O'Brien froze for a moment before saying, "Forget that name, I shouldn't have said it. But I trust you, Jenkins," he lowered his voice, "'Brother Stone' is the top leader of our party. Although We have failed miserably elsewhere, and he still promises us victory." Jenkins grabbed his arm. "You can trust me. Our power plant on Liberty Star is more useful than the Stone Brothers and their CT missiles. Once the power plant is built, we will be able to liberate the asteroid people! "Jenkins lowered his voice again and said: "I have found the conductive alloy needed to build the power plant, and I am rushing back to finish it.Since the other engineers haven't recovered and can't help, I can do it alone. He impatiently grabbed O'Baliang's arm, "Let me go, right now!" " O'Brien avoided his gaze and looked at the dark sky. "I don't have the power to let you go," he said perfunctorily. "It's best to wait until the Intruder arrives. There are several high-level party leaders on it, and maybe Brother Stone himself. When the time comes, I will report to you." They report on you." "But I don't have time!" Jenkins protested vehemently. He didn't say that he was dying, or any other good reason why he had to hurry. "Maybe, your 'stone brother' is just lying," he was a little desperate, trying to remind O'Brien, "maybe he doesn't have any CT weapons at all, otherwise, why did he see the asteroids defeated everywhere? Indifferent? You let me go!" "I can't." O'Brien shook his head regretfully, "Jenkins, from a personal point of view, I support you very much, but the 'Stone Brothers' attach great importance to party discipline." In ten minutes, the Intruder will be here." Jenkins had to give in: "Well, I'll wait, but I want to see my friends in the hospital." Now, he seems to need their help and support, and he hopes that some of them will be able to recover from Amadin's coma. woke up. "Go in my car." O'Baliang pointed to a low electric car next to the CT warehouse, "I have to wait here for the brothers on the battleship." "Make arrangements for me, I want to get out of here as soon as possible," Jenkins pleaded. "I don't have much time left." "I'll try," O'Baliang still looked at the sky, "but I can't guarantee it." Nick turned back and closed the hatch of the tugboat.At first, he noticed the horror on the faces of the soldiers when they saw the warning sign on the ship, which must have protected his cargo. Jane also disembarked from the spaceship at first, and has been standing beside him, listening to their conversation, her expression has not changed at all.Jenkins nodded for her to go with him.Even though he still didn't understand her motives and purpose, it was better to have her company than nothing at all. They drove into the only street in town.The battle must have been fierce. There are still many unfilled craters on the road, the windows of the houses on the side of the street are broken, the walls are left with deep bullet marks, and the interior of the new Star Corporation building has been completely burned. There was, however, an air of triumphant frenzy in the streets.The children in shabby clothes waved their arms and cheered when they saw the flags with green stars fluttering on the car.A miner with a bandaged head shouted hello to them, and two men on crutches saluted. The car pulled off the street and onto the night side of the asteroid.The hazy headlights reflected the figures of two women. "They are Karen and Ann," Jenkins said softly to Jane. "Just saw their husbands come back." He stopped beside them.In the lavender light and shadow, they looked haggard.Karen was pale and her left arm was bandaged across her chest.Because of being pregnant with the child, An's movements seemed a little sluggish.She was hunched over as if ill. "How are they?" Jenkins asked. Ann shook her head silently. "No change, Nick," Karen said gently, "Rick, Paul, and everyone else are still comatose. Dr. Urego said that they had inhaled ten times the normal amount of Amedine, and they would have to wait three or four days before they would wake up.Then, they all die from the CT radiation. "All of them?" "All of them," she nodded wearily. "Dr. Urego says there's nothing they can do. I'm going home with Ann." "I'll send you off." "Thank you, Nick." Ann shook her head, wanted to laugh, but didn't, "For little Paul, I have to walk a mile today." She wanted to speak lightly, but her voice couldn't help trembling .He didn't dare to look at Ann's face, and his eyes fell on Karen's white sling. "Just a scrape," she said, "it's nothing to worry about." "You fought too?" "Not exactly." She explained, "That's what happened. The guard commander suspected that you left some weapons here when you sent patients to the clinic the day before yesterday, so yesterday morning they sent a tank to attack the clinic. Cannons fired shells across the hill toward the clinic." "It's terrible," Ann interposed. "The first shell hit the reactor, and all the lights went out." "I accompanied Ann to his father's help," continued Karen, "but Mr. O'Brien couldn't get anyone out, and he had no weapons for us. Thankfully Ann remembered a test gun Paul had left at home, and a Box CT iron nuggets." "Though it's meant to test CT, not a weapon," Ann went on, looking at Karen adoringly. Karen took it out anyway.Because the CT pellets react too quickly with air and have a short range, she has to get pretty close.Those in the tank found out, and a bullet hit her in the arm.She endured the pain and continued to move forward, and finally hit the tank with a CT gun! " "It's unbelievable! Women can't do this kind of thing!" Jenkins heard Jane's shocked voice. "Rick was unconscious in the clinic at the time, and there was nothing he could do." Karen just explained softly, and looked at Ann's heavy body again, "Ann is tired, we should go."