Time rewound to moments before.
“It won’t work, Miss Diana. We’ve never done a Base Body match for the Lance family head. Where can we find a body to carry the consciousness on such short notice?”
“Although the Base Body project can now support projected original memories, it’s too late to start matching for the Lance family head now.”
Diana firmly said. “I will be the Base Body.”
At these words, a commotion erupted from deep within the Base Body cultivation room.
“I once signed a document,” Diana took a deep breath, took out her wrist device, and pulled up an electronic scan.
She walked through the group of Black Shark Base researchers, displaying the projected image from her wrist device for everyone to see. “Just like Yuan Changze’s, the chief allowed me to use my own body for experiments in extreme situations.”
“Actually, I had already researched consciousness projection technology before entering the base. The success of consciousness projection is only limited by its compatibility with the carrying Base Body. The First Fortress Recapture Battle in Alpha Alien Star proved this point.”
“We know that the alien beings’ intelligence comes from the Crystal Cult, so think about it: if human consciousness can be projected onto alien beings, why can’t human consciousness be projected onto another living person? Why must it be a customized Base Body?”
“No, there’s no such logic.”
“The reason for creating Base Bodies is to avoid ethical and moral contradictions, as we cannot randomly project soldiers onto other people, which is why the base spends resources cultivating new lifeless bodies.”
“My brother and I are biological siblings. I’ve tested it – our brain consciousness frequencies are compatible. I can carry his consciousness…”
Suddenly, a female researcher stood up, cutting off Diana’s words with an angry expression. “You’ve been planning this all along, haven’t you, Miss Lance!”
“I know you’ve been begging the chief to let your brother undergo projection. Since the chief wouldn’t agree, you came up with other ideas!”
“That’s right!”
Unexpectedly, Diana lifted her white chin and raised her voice in response, “So what if I did? Is it a crime to have personal motives!?”
“My desire to save my brother has always been sincere, and my wish to protect this base now is also sincere! Although I considered human projection, I never thought about hurting anyone – it just happened that my brother and I are compatible!”
She rarely spoke with such a high voice and sharp expression. But at this moment, there was indeed a kind of edge bursting forth from this delicate doll-like face.
For a moment, that female researcher was also intimidated.
Diana tossed her silver-white short hair and reached out, smoothly turning on the consciousness projection’s main control machine.
She was no longer the crying young lady, nor the stuttering little rabbit, “That’s my brother, my last living relative in the world, how could I give up!?”
“Besides! I woke up my brother to ask for his risky help.”
She glared, no longer using code names, “In this situation, if something happens to His Majesty and the commander, can you take responsibility!?”
Yuan Changze hurriedly stood between them. “Miss Diana, don’t be rash.”
He anxiously said, “You need to think clearly. If it fails, at worst the projection won’t connect, but if it succeeds… once your brother’s consciousness consumes you and completely occupies your body…”
“Diana Lance will be erased!”
“That won’t happen.”
Diana firmly said. “My brother would never hurt me. This is the only thing I can be certain of!”
****
The final result proved that all those nerve-wracking speculations didn’t come true.
The Lanc sisters’ consciousnesses successfully coexisted within Diana Lance’s body, maintaining a state similar to but not exactly like multiple personalities.
Diana remained the dominant consciousness. Just like now, she mercilessly pushed aside her sister who wanted to shake hands with Jiang, throwing herself at him and starting to cry.
Actually, since losing her “brother” and coming to Black Shark Base, Diana had been crying less and less. This reunion after believing Jiang Jianming dead was a chance to really let it all out.
Beside them, the research staff who came with Jiang Jianming watched in amazement, not daring to console or question…
Finally, Jiang Jianming had no choice but to stroke her hair and say, “Stop crying. If you cry until you’re exhausted, how will Audrey use your body to fight?”
Only then did Diana manage to stop her tears, giving one last pitiful hiccup, wiping her tears on Jiang Jianming’s shoulder before saying softly. “Then I’ll go now. Brother will protect you.”
Jiang Jianming: “…”
This child probably hadn’t even noticed he had gained memories from his past life.
In an instant, Diana closed her eyes then opened them, immediately switching to a different demeanor.
Her originally delicate voice became cool and crisp, with a hint of helplessness, “…Sorry, Jiang, Diana troubled you again.”
With Audrey back, Jiang Jianming also breathed a sigh of relief. They could discuss important matters now. He asked, “How’s the situation in Zone A? Are there any injuries? Can you use the wrist device?”
“Zone A is fine, we’re mainly worried about Zone C.”
Audrey wiped away the tear stains on her face and took off her wrist device to give to him, “Oh right, Diana wanted me to tell you that Yuan Changze’s consciousness projection has returned, bringing news of the expedition army. You can ask him directly.”
Expedition army. Jiang Jianming’s eyes flickered, but he still couldn’t help asking, “His Highness Crown Prince…”
Audrey: “According to Diana’s memory, he should be with the expedition army.”
Jiang Jianming shook his head, not asking further. They beckoned to the burdensome research staff and passed through the alien corpses.
At the end of the corridor was the base’s mechanical control room. Jiang Jianming peered through the back window. “There shouldn’t be any aliens inside. Let’s go in and rest for ten minutes.”
The research staff straightened up with a “snap” and said loudly, “No need! Commander, I can still keep going!”
“…”
Jiang Jianming gave him a faint glance. “It’s not about you… Despite how I look, I’m still somewhat a disabled person.”
He said this lightly, but the faces of the two people beside him visibly changed.
That research staff turned red, stammering, clearly mortified with shame.
Meanwhile, Audrey was already anxiously pulling at him. “Jiang, are you feeling unwell somewhere!? Right, you just woke up, have you had your tranquilizer?”
Jiang Jianming: “It’s fine, I don’t need it for now…”
Unfortunately, after the battle at Alpha Alien Star, probably no one in the empire would easily trust Colonel Jiang’s “it’s fine” or “it’s nothing” anymore.
As soon as the control room opened, Jiang Jianming was forcibly pushed into the only seat at the control panel to rest. Audrey and the research staff used crystal bones to push the equipment inside, blocking the automatic doors and windows, then searched everywhere for tranquilizers and medicine.
Jiang Jianming shook his head with a helpless smile, ignoring those two who were in a frenzy. He casually placed his right hand on the control panel and used his wrist device to contact Yuan Changze.
Seeing him, Yuan Changze, who had received Original Yuan Changze’s memories, opened his eyes and mouth wide, starting to cry within seconds.
Unfortunately, the original little young master wasn’t as lucky as Diana. Jiang Jianming, still merged with the past commander’s consciousness, gave him a moderate scolding that made Yuan Changze shut up and not dare to cry anymore.
What followed was exchanging information and discussing the current situation. Too many things had happened in this past year, and Yuan Changze along with the Black Shark Base members around him pieced together explanations of the important events for Jiang Jianming.
“The Lava Space Bandits were destroyed by the Crystal Cult?”
Jiang Jianming was slightly moved, “What about Red Dragon?”
Yuan Changze shook his head. “The Second Fortress and military department should have taken over handling it afterward, we’re not clear about that.”
Jiang Jianming nodded. “Alright, then tell me about what is clear, what’s the current situation with Crystal Nest?”
“Crystal Nest… the situation isn’t very optimistic.”
Yuan Changze’s expression turned serious, summarizing the situation as concisely as possible. Five days ago, Gaius plunged into Crystal Nest, was swallowed by crystal particles into its depths, and disappeared.
Soon after, Silver Big Dipper discovered that the crystal particles’ attack pattern had changed – they began to show coordination and deception like humans. Silver Big Dipper’s casualties immediately increased linearly.
Whether Crystal Nest had devoured Gaius’s consciousness, or Gaius controlled Crystal Nest, or the two had merged into one and become indistinguishable… it was still impossible to judge.
Crown Prince Ryann and Major General Xie both believed the current situation was unfavorable and they couldn’t continue fighting.
But after Crystal Nest’s power amplification, the Silver Big Dipper fleet could no longer break through on its own strength, and they finally had to deploy Yuan Changze, this special personnel, to seek help.
“I understand.”
After Jiang Jianming got a general understanding, he ended the communication, just as Audrey and that research staff had finished searching for supplies.
They quickly drank some energy water. Jiang Jianming gave himself a tranquilizer shot, then said they could leave.
The research staff was nervous. “No, no, no, you should rest more…”
Jiang Jianming: “We can’t stay too long, the aliens will gather.”
He gestured for the two crystal humans to move the equipment blocking the door, and walked out first.
Outside was still dark and cold, the sound of artillery in the distance seemed more intense, making it difficult to judge if it was an advantage or disadvantage.
Audrey rushed forward a couple steps. “I’ll walk in front.”
Jiang Jianming: “…”
This overprotection really wasn’t necessary.
Audrey seemed to see through his thoughts, giving him a cold glance. “Keep up.”
“Then don’t walk too fast,” Jiang Jianming deliberately blinked and smiled, “What if I can’t keep up due to lack of strength?”
Three people followed the disabled human’s pace, their footsteps echoing in the base’s corridor, along with Jiang Jianming’s calm voice.
“Since Zone A can still hold on, there’s no rush to get there.”
Jiang Jianming said, “First listen to me organize the information.”
“A year ago, the Crystal Cult suffered consecutive defeats in the imperial capital and Alpha Alien Star. They must have realized they couldn’t crack this tough bone of the empire for now, so they adopted a temporary retreat strategy, turning their attention to the Lava Space Bandits instead.”
“The crystal disorder of many bandits promoted Crystal Nest’s power increase, and the crystal particles’ erosion of alien beings was further strengthened.”
“Now that Gaius has combined with the Crystal Nest, it has given the crystal mother core human intelligence, and consequently, the alien beings eroded by crystal particles are also being manipulated. That’s why they suddenly attacked the fortress now, catching Silver Big Dipper off guard.”
“Mm.” Audrey nodded while listening, suddenly frowning in confusion.
Something wasn’t right – not going to Zone A to regroup, nor finding a place to hide and wait for fortress rescue, where was Jiang taking them?
The corridor ahead remained dark, and Jiang Jianming continued speaking as if nothing was wrong. “I don’t believe the alien beings can really capture Silver Big Dipper fortress.”
“Their goal should be to create temporary chaos, and take the opportunity to… find the location of my Base Body and kill me.”
At this point, he paused and raised his eyebrows—
“Just like now.”
Suddenly, an explosion came from the end of the corridor ahead!
A heat wave mixed with sparks rushed toward them, making all three of their clothes flutter violently.
“Watch out!”
Audrey’s face changed color as she drew her sword and stretched out her arm, protecting Jiang Jianming behind her.
But immediately after, from the other end of the corner behind them came intense gunfire and explosion sounds, along with the crisp sound of crystal bones colliding!
The research staff’s face changed dramatically as he looked back in terror. “There are more behind us, we’re surrounded!?”
“No,” Audrey calmed down, “The gunfire couldn’t be from alien beings, but Silver Big Dipper’s troops obviously haven’t arrived either…” She narrowed her eyes, “Jiang?”
The black-haired officer silently curved his lips.
His raised eyes seemed to hold swirling depths:
“But Crystal Nest, or rather Gaius, probably didn’t anticipate this current situation… that I would wake up.”
BOOM!!
Another explosion came from ahead, and a shadow rushed out from the end – it was actually an alien being with several bloody holes in its body.
It rushed forward a few steps before collapsing from exhaustion, and several Black Shark Base armed robots flew over to confirm its final death.
“…”
Audrey and the research staff were both stunned.
“These, these are our base’s ‘Z-Sting’ combat machines!?”
The research staff exclaimed. “How did so many gather here!”
The smell of blood grew stronger from both directions, and waves of heat from explosions kept coming, with fierce battles taking place just dozens of meters ahead and behind them, yet not affecting the three people directly.
Jiang Jianming calmly leaned against the wall, “Since I’m the target, setting bait becomes much easier… your Black Shark Base’s mechanical system is quite useful.”
Audrey: “What did you do again?”
Jiang Jianming: “Ah, I set up a combat program earlier in the mechanical control room.”
Alien beings really liked to play the encirclement game – this was experience he gained from “dying” once at Alpha Alien Star.
And looking at the base’s structural diagram, this was the only place nearby that could achieve perfect encirclement, plus it was a straight path.
So by first setting coordinates for the machines, then using himself as bait to lure the alien beings this way, and controlling the timing with steady forward movement, he could create a manual time bomb.
“…”
After hearing this, Audrey fell silent, and the research staff fell silent too.
Who was it that said they were tired and needed to rest in the control room!
Who was it that said they couldn’t keep up due to lack of strength and needed to walk slowly!
Who’s the fragile disabled human – it was all calculation!
How did His Highness Jiang get even better at deceiving both enemies and allies after merging with the commander’s memories!?
—Of course, if you asked the person in question about this, Jiang Jianming would very seriously answer: this was to prevent the alien beings from monitoring or eavesdropping and so on.
Though it couldn’t be denied that this person had deceived almost the entire empire across two lifetimes, perhaps developing some small twisted pleasures wasn’t completely incomprehensible.
“So,” the research staff asked woodenly, “our wandering around the base right now is…?”
This person’s reaction was a bit slow. Jiang Jianming said eerily, “Of course we’re eliminating the enemy, what else?”
After speaking, Jiang Jianming walked forward, and after turning the corner, the smell of blood grew stronger. He stepped over the dismembered bodies, and with a crunch, raised his foot to step on the head of a dying alien creature.
“Archbishop Gauis, I hope you can hear this.”
Jiang Jianming spoke coolly from above. “I’m just here to tell you that the battle has begun. If you wish, please feel free to continue trying – let’s see whether these alien creatures kill me first, or I bury them in the base first.”
****
“Well, isn’t this person ridiculous?”
A moment later, Audrey sat with crossed arms on top of a giant computer, speaking with mixed amusement and exasperation, “You were trapped for five days, right? Now it’s resolved in just five hours.”
She had just finished a round of combat and was sent back by Jiang Jianming to rest, still holding her blood-dripping crystal bone dual swords.
At this time, many Black Shark Base researchers had gathered together, all with complicated feelings, stammering.
“Uh…”
“Yes…”
“Cough…”
Mainly because, with Miss Diana’s face, your current posture is quite ridiculous…
Jiang Jianming happened to return just then, hearing Audrey praise him from afar, and smiled. “You can’t say it like that – the enemy forces retreated.”
Perhaps the Crystal Nest had also realized this battle was destined for failure. After the first wave was blown up by him, the alien creatures began to retreat. Later, after being tormented several more rounds by him and the Black Shark Base members using various tactics, the attack pressure on the base had already weakened significantly.
So now he could divide his attention. Jiang Jianming walked this way while opening his newly acquired wrist device, dialing the base chief’s communication line.
He thought to himself: It seemed he could resolve the current conflict before the original consciousness departed, which was quite good.
He also wondered: Would there be enough time to meet Ryann in this state?
Lost in these thoughts, he became somewhat distracted.
The result of this distraction was that as soon as the connection went through, he spoke with a clear, crisp voice, “Sylph, how’s the fortress situation, still not resolved?”
Right after speaking, he realized something was wrong. Jiang Jianming cleared his throat and immediately corrected himself, “Cough, sorry Chief, please disregard what I just said. This is Jiang Jianming, are you doing alright over there?”
—Now he felt his own behavior was sufficiently schizophrenic, no better than Miss Lance’s situation.
But he didn’t get to hear Sylph’s reaction. There was loud static noise from the other end, as if someone had rushed over to grab the wrist device or communicator, accidentally dropped it, then quickly picked it up again.
Jiang Jianming: “?” What was happening on the other end?
Before he could fully process his confusion, he heard a familiar, trembling voice of a middle-aged man through the wrist device.
“…Ming Ming?”
…..
Third Fortress, outer wall.
A large mecha stood on the alloy iron wall that appeared like black stone. It was the S-class mecha L-Yaoguang, belonging to Major General Emma, the highest commander of the Third Fortress.
After five days and four nights of intense battle, the fight was nearing its end. Under the continuous resistance of Silver Big Dipper, the external enemies were gradually being pushed back.
However, at this moment, chaos erupted inside L-Yaoguang’s cockpit.
“Ming Ming, is it really Ming Ming!?”
Jiang Sheng held Sylph’s wrist device, crying streams of tears as he wailed. “Ming Ming—! It’s Dad, it’s Dad!!”
Beside him, Major General Emma was also shocked. She looked toward the chief. “Has His Highness Jiang awakened!?”
The chief spoke in a low voice. “Earlier than we expected. Perhaps the Base Body sensed its own danger and forcibly awakened; or maybe the being that made him sleep realized the urgency of the situation and had no choice but to wake him early.”
The wrist device flickered and projected a window – the video call had been opened from the other end.
Even Jiang Jianming was completely bewildered and dazed at this moment. After being stunned for a while, he uncertainly said in a soft voice, “Da…Dad?”
“Ming Ming…!”
This cry immediately made Jiang Sheng’s tears flow uncontrollably.
Actually, a year ago, when he saw that there were no funeral arrangements after Jiang Jianming’s “sacrifice” and instead he was carefully protected by the Black Shark Base, he knew there was still hope.
But knowing something intellectually was different from feeling it emotionally.
His child had suffered so much at such a young age, finally dying alone in the snow, wracked with illness and pain. Now lying there so quietly, as if he would never open his eyes again.
How could he not feel heartbroken, how could he not feel regret?
And at this moment, Jiang Sheng didn’t even dare to cry out loud, afraid of frightening his child. He forced a twisted smile through his tears and softened his voice.
“Ming Ming is in the Black Shark Base, right? Baby don’t be afraid, make sure to find a safe place to hide, protect yourself well, Dad will come right away!”
On the other end, Jiang Jianming’s face was expressionless: “.”
Ba…by…
Alright, let him ignore that term of endearment “baby” for now, so what was going on here?
Jiang Jianming dazedly lowered the wrist device and looked at Audrey beside him, thinking—
After all, he should have been dead, but he was alive;
Audrey should have been half-dead, but she had been reborn through Diana;
And his father should have been posthumously honored as a martyr six or seven years ago, but was now probably rushing towards him.
All of this together made Jiang Jianming somewhat confused: Could such things really happen, was he really alive?
Was this not some kind of netherworld gathering??
The wrist device in his hand continued to buzz chaotically:
“Sir Jiang…Jiang Sheng!” It was Major General Emma’s furious voice, “Are you done wailing? Give the wrist device back to the chief, did you hear me!?”
“Hey, where are you going—damn it, don’t run! Did you eat the military discipline? You need to file a report before leaving the unit, you obsessed father!”
“Never mind, Major General,” the leader said nonchalantly, “At least he remembered to jump out of the mecha instead of running off with your Yaoguang, that’s already quite good.”
Jiang Jianming didn’t know whether to laugh or cry.
He looked up, gazing out through the base’s damaged ceiling.
He saw a corner of blue sky where the smoke had cleared, and suddenly his mood lightened considerably.
Yes, Jiang Jianming suddenly thought, since fate had allowed him to return.
There would be enough reunions in this world, waiting for him to keep his appointments in the future.
