Chapter 1270: Life and death
"I'll go too."
"I want to go too!"
"Our captain is the captain of our 18th squad. How can our 18th squad be absent when our captain goes on a mission!"
"Damn it, I don't trust the captain to be handed over to someone from another squad!"
"Those who came out with the captain must go back with the captain!"
More and more interstellar fighters broke away from the escort formation and chased after Zhao Chen in the direction he had left.
"You...you've abandoned your posts, which is a violation of military orders!" Deputy Captain Li said anxiously.
Old Liu's voice rang out again, with a hint of indifference: "So what if I disobey military orders?"
The captain took on this mission for our safety.
Only this one condition was mentioned.
Let's make sure our 18th squad doesn't have to participate in this mission.
For a captain like this... I'll disobey orders today!
Of the original hundred or so starfighters of the 18th Squadron, seventy or eighty have already left, and people are still flying away.
A middle-aged man held his head in his hands, his face trembling, and tears streaming down his face.
He was clutching a pendant in his hand, inside which was a photo of a mother and daughter.
"I promised them that I would retire when I go back this time."
Just let them live a good life.
I promised them...
I must get back alive...
I want to go back alive...
They can't live without me...
I'm sorry, I'm so sorry..."
There are quite a few people who are just as conflicted.
After all, the danger of this combat mission far exceeds that of previous ones.
It's even possible that the entire army will be wiped out!
If he goes there, he may truly have no chance of survival.
------
"Report, Temporary Supply Base No. 06."
The 18th Squadron, responsible for guarding the base, suddenly dispatched a large number of starfighters from the area!
A subordinate was reporting the situation through a communication window next to the general.
"General!"
The 18th squad deserted their posts and violated military orders.
"They should be severely punished!" the middle-aged staff officer said in their command channel.
The general's cold gaze fell on the staff officer's communications window.
He asked, "Where are these starfighters from the 18th Squad heading?"
"Go...go after the 18th squad leader's plane," the subordinate reported.
Upon hearing this, the general closed his eyes and took a deep breath.
"Knowing it was a mission with a slim chance of survival."
He was willing to do it for his team.
His squad, however, swore to follow him to the death.
Such a superior, such a subordinate.
If I had it all, what more could I ask for?
The general opened his eyes, his cold gaze falling on the middle-aged staff officer.
"Chief of Staff Jin."
If I remember correctly, the commander of the Fifth Flight Group is your nephew, right?
When Zhao Chen joined the Third Flight Squadron, he became the target of everyone's criticism because of the competition for seats between the two squadrons.
You want to suppress your opponent.
They've really lost all sense of decency.
Staff Officer Kim.
Or perhaps the Fifth Flight Group gave you some kind of benefit?
Staff Officer Jin was instantly drenched in sweat.
He immediately lowered his head: "General! I was rude and didn't understand the situation clearly."
"Please punish me!"
He felt deep regret at that moment, realizing he shouldn't have been so hasty in suppressing the 18th Squad.
But the growth of the 18th Squad really threatened the interests of their faction.
"I don't want any factional infighting on my mothership."
And they even used this factional strife on the battlefield!
The general said coldly, "If I remember correctly, Staff Officer Jin's recent physical examination showed that he was not in good health."
Staff Officer Jin has been following me all these years and has done a very good job.
In that case, he should retire to the second line as soon as possible.
I will make arrangements for you after this war is over.
Now, you can exit the command system for this battle.
Delegate the work at hand to others.
After saying that, the general immediately closed the video window of Staff Officer Jin and removed him from the list of people on the command channel.
Staff Officer Jin was dumbfounded when he saw the command channel go black.
His face was full of regret.
He is in his prime, yet he has been reassigned to a second-tier position.
That means he has no hope of climbing the social ladder.
This made him resent Zhao Chen even more, because it was all because of this guy that he was in his current situation.
However, the corners of his mouth couldn't help but turn up in a smile.
"Zhao Chen, so what if you're strong?"
So what if you can command?
To perform this interception task.
Use one million starfighters to intercept thirty thousand starships.
You are doomed!
If you back down and retreat prematurely, I can find someone to impeach you!
Cowardice and retreat would jeopardize strategic plans.
"Even if you have made great contributions, you can't escape!" Staff Officer Jin sneered.
The general stroked his chin, sighed, and said, "Arrange for other squads to fill the 18th squad's position."
Those starfighters in the 18th squad who were willing to follow Zhao Chen were not stopped, and those who did not go with him were not stopped.
Let them do as they please.
"yes."
——————
At this moment, Zhao Chen also noticed the interstellar fighters that were 'following' him.
He frowned and immediately turned on his closed command channel.
"Li Da!"
What's wrong with you?
"Didn't I tell you to lead the team to continue the escort mission?!" Zhao Chen's words were filled with anger.
Li Da felt incredibly wronged.
Being caught in the middle is truly a lose-lose situation.
He was carrying out the tasks assigned by the captain, but none of the brothers on this side listened to him.
Now, even the captain is questioning himself.
"Captain...it's really not my fault...they discovered the mission you were tasked with."
They all disobeyed military orders and chased after them.
"I...I couldn't stop him!" Li Da's aggrieved voice sounded like he was about to cry.
"Captain, this is indeed not Li Da's responsibility."
We came here voluntarily.
"Yes, we came of our own volition!"
"You are here to carry out the task assigned from above."
"You're the captain of the 18th squad, how can you not bring our 18th squad along!"
Listening to the sounds coming from the communication channel.
Zhao Chen was touched.
He said gravely, “But you must understand the danger of this mission.”
I have no way to guarantee your safety...
"Captain, since we've come along..."
Then we are not afraid of death.
To be honest, ever since we carried out this secret attack mission...
We're standing on the edge of a cliff.
It was you who kept us alive.
You gave us our lives.
It's agreed.
"Let's go back together!"
"I've only ever heard of team captains abandoning their teammates and running away."
I've never heard of a team member abandoning their captain and choosing to live on!
"Captain, we are not afraid to die!"
Hearing the voices of his subordinates, Zhao Chen clenched his fists.
He controlled his voice: "It's not too late to turn back now."
If you follow me any further, you might not have a chance to leave.
There were hardly any people speaking in the communication channel.
But the persistent cursors on the Starship's radar say it all.
"Waaaah... I'm not a coward who's afraid of death."
If... don't even think about leaving me.
But... if... if I don't make it back alive.
"Please take good care of my wife and daughter, brothers." At this moment, a middle-aged man's voice, trembling with sobs, came through the communication channel.
Everyone knows this person.
This person often showed off photos of his daughter to others.
And his discharge report has already been submitted.
After this battle, he can retire from the army and return to his hometown to live a quieter life with his wife and daughters.