Chapter 718.3: The Crab and The Fish

And the strangest thing was that there were no aircraft carriers! There were no airfields, and there wasn’t even a fishing boat nearby.

Captain Dongwen stood silently beside the bridge windows, frowning deeply as he stared at the blue sky and rolling ocean outside, lost in thought.

Seeing his superior remain silent for so long, the executive officer beside him took a deep breath and spoke in a low voice. “I recommend immediately reporting this situation to Naval Command!”

Just as the sailors had speculated, those aircraft might indeed belong to Shelter 70. And the location of the explosion happened to coincide exactly with the minefield they had deployed to intercept Shelter 70 submarines and protect Ring Island.

Although the entrance to the shelter remained blockaded by the Federation fleet, nobody could guarantee the shelter didn’t possess alternative emergency exits.

However, after remaining silent for a long while, the captain unexpectedly replied, “No. Continue observation.”

The executive officer froze, staring at him in confusion. Yet the captain had no intention of explaining himself.

After instructing the officer to continue monitoring the situation, he turned and left the bridge.

Returning to the captain’s quarters, Dongwen casually hung his cap on a rack before opening a drawer and taking out a compact communicator. Using his thumb to press the mechanical keys, he carefully entered a string of numbers before raising the device to his ear.

Before he could speak, an urgent voice already rang from the other side. “How’s the situation?”

The person on the other end was none other than Chalas, the Federation Chief-of-Staff and Naval Head Advisor, as well as the leading figure of the Navy’s hardline faction.

For most Federation citizens, escaping Shelter 70’s control had already become a consensus. However, until the destruction of the ocean current power station, people still disagreed on whether that goal should be achieved through moderate means or radical ones.

Because of his unwavering stance and aggressive policies, Chalas enjoyed strong support among naval officers, including Dongwen himself.

Yet recently, troubling rumors had begun making Dongwen question whether his support truly served the Federation’s interests anymore.

Certainly, the New Alliance that appeared seemingly out of nowhere was suspicious in some respects. But their slogan to unite all survivors and end the wasteland was hardly something worthy of such extreme hostility.

Humanity on this planet had once been united to begin with. And the New Alliance genuinely practiced what they preached, setting examples for wastelanders still slaughtering one another over meaningless conflicts.

Take Port Gallon, for example. No matter how slave owners twisted themselves into philosophical pretzels trying to justify slavery, the New Alliance really had untied the chains around the slaves’ necks.

Or take the freshwater pipeline to Ring Island.

Sure, the New Alliance made money from it, but water truly had become cheaper for locals.

They never claimed to be running a charity. If they maliciously raised prices someday, that would be a future problem. No one could condemn them in advance simply because they weren’t handing things out for free!

At least in Dongwen’s opinion, those Torch Church’s lunatics constantly rambling about “evolution,” “the future,” and “for humanity” looked far more suspicious.

The Torch Church indeed provided things for free. The psychic interference devices they gave the Federation cost nothing, but nobody knew whether those people secretly desired something far greater.

For example, Coral City. Hadn’t they always wanted access to it?

Dongwen supported moderate cooperation with the Torch Church, as long as it genuinely benefited the Federation.

Even if the benefits weren’t immediate and even if only future generations profited from it. Trading a single ocean current power station for the unity of the Federation would unquestionably have been worthwhile. Future generations would thank them for enduring temporary hardship.

But... What possible benefit came from destroying a freshwater pipeline?

Before, he could still rationalize things for himself, even help justify Chalas’s reasoning. Now, however, he genuinely could not continue inventing excuses.

Still, it was not the time to dwell on that.

After gathering his thoughts, Dongwen finally spoke slowly. “The explosion... did happen.”

Hearing the relieved sigh from the other side, he paused before he continued, “However, there are some suspicious details. The explosion did not occur on the seabed, it occurred near the surface. Also... were those aircraft yours?”

Silence lingered for several seconds. Eventually, a hesitant reply emerged. “... Aircraft?”

“Yes.” Dongwen continued calmly. “A formation of aircraft suddenly appeared on our radar. Then they dropped something into the ocean. Torpedoes or depth charges perhaps, and immediately afterward we detected the explosion. I cannot confirm whether the pipeline was destroyed, but I would like to know what those aircraft are and what exactly they were attacking...”

Unexpectedly, after hearing that, the normally calm and gentle Chalas reacted like a seal spotting a penguin. “That is not something you should concern yourself with! Captain, order your ship to immediately return to the nearest harbor... No, return eastward to Peace Island.”

Dongwen froze. “Mr. Chalas?”

Perhaps realizing his tone had slipped, Chalas took several breaths to steady himself before speaking again. “... My apologies. I lost my composure. Official orders will arrive through command channels shortly. You may return to the bridge and begin preparations.”

After a pause, a frustrated sigh emerged from the other end.

“This is disastrous... one freshwater pipeline was enough to make those ungrateful fools betray their original ideals. They don’t even realize they’re willingly placing another rope around their own necks. They only just gained freedom, and already they’re rushing to sell themselves off again.”

“Mr. Chalas,” Dongwen frowned, “perhaps this isn’t my place to ask, but... what exactly does that have to do with ‘selling themselves off’?”

Chalas snorted coldly. “Isn’t that exactly what they’re doing? We just escaped the rope Shelter 70 placed around our necks, and now they’re eagerly picking up the rope from Shelter 404 instead...”

“So what exactly is this rope you keep talking about?” Dongwen interrupted. “Could you explain it more concretely instead of speaking in abstract metaphors?”

The line fell silent for several seconds before Chalas coughed lightly. “... We’ve drifted off-topic. In short, our friends in the Ocean Edge Province do not want us growing too close to the New Alliance. Those lunatics aren’t good people either, but for now we still need their strength to solve our own problems. In any case, that pipeline is troublesome to have. If someone could remove that trouble, every Federation citizen would thank him.”

Hearing the expectation hidden in that voice, Dongwen took a deep breath and replied carefully. “Mr. Chalas, if you have other concerns, I can help resolve them. Silencing those who need silencing. Removing those who need removing, but this goes a little too far.” After a pause, he continued, “Unfortunately, I cannot solve your problem this time. Perhaps you should pursue more legal and proper methods. I suggest discussing the issue with the President.”

Chalas responded bitterly, “That would take too long! And the people of Ring Island would never understand us.”

“Then let it take longer,” Dongwen immediately replied. “There’s nothing wrong with being cautious about this sort of thing.”

The reason he hated the people of Shelter 70 so much was precisely because of their arrogance and stubborn self-righteousness. They never bothered lowering themselves to communicate with survivors outside the shelters.

Whenever they couldn’t explain themselves, they simply hid behind those blue jackets.

And at that very moment, Dongwen suddenly realized he had nearly become the kind of person he despised most.

The line remained silent for a long time and eventually, Chalas let out a tired sigh of surrender. “... You’re right. There’s nothing wrong with slowing down. I acted rashly. Please forget everything I just said.”

Dongwen nodded slowly, quietly relieved.

Perhaps Chalas had realized it too.

Dongwen never doubted that the man truly acted in the Federation’s interests. But just as captains sometimes became overly aggressive... so too could the Chief of Staff. Dongwen would continue supporting him as always.

...

After ending the call, Dongwen returned to the bridge.

The executive officer immediately approached and saluted. “... Naval Command just sent orders directing us to proceed eastward toward Peace Island for resupply and rest.”

Having already learned this through private channels, Dongwen merely nodded and walked toward the command console.

Yet just as he prepared to order the ship eastward, something stirred in his thoughts. Turning toward the officers beside him, he suddenly gave a different order. “Proceed west 80 kilometers.”

Expressions of shock appeared across the bridge, especially on the face of the executive officer who had just relayed the command.

“But sir...” The officer stepped forward hesitantly, only to be interrupted by Dongwen.

With a hand raised, Dongwen snapped, “Command never ordered us to turn around immediately.”

Gazing steadily across the endless ocean waves, Dongwen adjusted the brim of his cap and spoke slowly. “Taking a slightly longer route... isn’t forbidden, is it?”

...

High above the blue sky, Light Wind circled her seaplane over the ocean, preparing to turn back when she suddenly spotted a warship approaching from the east.

Surprise flashed across her face.

After wiping chocolate smeared on her fingers against her clothes, she reached forward and activated the onboard radio.

“This is Light Wind. I’ve spotted a Federation warship, likely a destroyer. It’s moving toward the Jungle Corps’ little crabs. I cannot confirm hostile intent. They haven’t fired at me... ah, they seem to be attempting radio communication. Should I answer?”

Mosquito’s voice quickly sounded through the comms. “Answer it! Why wouldn’t you answer?! Ask those bastards what the hell they’re doing here!”

Listening to his tone, it was as if he still had plenty of ammo left!

Light Wind made a helpless expression, pressed the rudder pedal with her foot, and adjusted course toward the destroyer. “Roger.”

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.