Chapter 77 Who did the trick?
"We...have lost contact with the exploration vessel for over six hours."
Commissar Wang's voice was like a heavy stone pressing down on Jiang Wu's heart. She felt a sudden darkness before her eyes, her body swayed, and she almost fell to the ground.
"Sister-in-law!" The guard next to her reacted quickly and helped her up.
"Xiao Jiang! Don't get agitated! You're pregnant!" Political Commissar Wang was also startled and quickly stepped forward to support her other arm.
Jiang Wu took a deep breath and forced herself to stand firm. She couldn't fall, absolutely not!
She pushed away the hand that was supporting her, her red eyes fixed on Political Commissar Wang: "Six hours without contact... what does that mean? Was it because of the typhoon, bad signal, or... or..."
She couldn't bring herself to ask any further questions.
Commissar Wang's face was etched with grief and exhaustion. He pointed to the row of communication devices in the office, their indicator lights flashing, and said in a hoarse voice, "We tried everything. Shortwave, longwave, encrypted channels, public channels... We even used the highest-level satellite communications in the military region to call the emergency beacon of 'Exploration One'."
"But there was no response. It was as if... they had completely vanished from that sea area."
disappear……
These two words sent a chill down Jiang Wu's spine.
"Impossible!" she cried out. "There are life rafts and beacons on board! Even if the ship sank, people would surely have been able to send out distress signals! How could there be absolutely no news?!"
“That’s what we thought too.” Political Commissar Wang’s brows furrowed. “Logically, ‘Exploration One’ is equipped with the most advanced survival equipment. Its emergency beacon should automatically surface and continuously send out a location signal after the ship sinks. However, we received nothing.”
“There are only two possibilities,” a operations staff officer who had been silent all along said with difficulty. “First, the ship and all personnel were hit by some kind of devastating attack in an instant, and there was no time to react.”
"Second..." He glanced at Jiang Wu, but didn't dare to continue.
"What's the second one?!" Jiang Wu pressed.
Political Commissar Wang sighed and continued, "Secondly, all the ship's communication and distress equipment failed at the same time."
All of them failed? How is that possible?! Military-grade equipment, every single piece undergoes the most rigorous testing before leaving the factory! How could it be such a coincidence that they all broke down at the same time?
unless……
A terrifying thought flashed through Jiang Wu's mind!
Unless someone tampered with the equipment!
She remembered the hidden jealousy and resentment that had festered after Qin Lie's promotion. She remembered the vicious anonymous letter of denunciation. She remembered the look of pity and glee in Wen Xue's eyes as she looked at her at the farewell party!
All the clues came together at that moment!
This is not a natural disaster! This is a complete and utter murder targeting Qin Lie!
"Investigate! You must investigate!" Jiang Wu grabbed Political Commissar Wang's arm, her nails digging into his flesh with her grip. "Investigate everyone who had contact with 'Exploration One' before this voyage! Especially those responsible for inspection and maintenance! Someone must be up to something!"
Political Commissar Wang looked into Jiang Wu's eyes, which seemed to spit fire, and felt a chill run down his spine. He knew that what Jiang Wu said wasn't impossible. In a large army, you'll find all sorts of birds in every forest. Qin Lie's promotion this time was so high-profile that it had blocked the path of many and attracted countless envious glances.
"Xiao Jiang, don't worry!" Political Commissar Wang solemnly promised, "I will investigate this matter thoroughly and will not let any bad person get away with it! But right now, the most urgent task is to save lives!"
As he spoke, he turned around and issued a series of orders to the operations staff behind him.
"Immediately! Request support from the military region in my name! Request the dispatch of the most powerful search and rescue ships and anti-submarine patrol aircraft to conduct a comprehensive search of the area where 'Exploration One' went missing!"
"Notify the meteorological department and ask them to provide real-time track and intensity data for Typhoon Haishen! We need to race against time in the eye of the typhoon!"
"Notify the logistics department to prepare the highest level of medical assistance! Be ready to receive the wounded at any time!"
"Furthermore, keep the news under wraps! Before there are definitive results, no one is allowed to reveal the true circumstances of 'Explorer One's' disappearance to the family! Just say... just say they entered a radio silence zone to avoid the typhoon!"
Orders were quickly relayed from the command center.
The entire island base, this war machine that usually operates with precision, was now running at an unprecedentedly high efficiency.
Officers and soldiers in various colored training uniforms ran back and forth in the office building. The ringing of telephones and the calls of walkie-talkies rose and fell.
The atmosphere was as tense as a string about to snap.
Meanwhile, the family compound remained peaceful. The military wives were completely unaware of the impending catastrophe. They were still discussing whether to reinforce the windows or stock up on candles to prepare for this typhoon, which was said to be a once-in-decades event.
Jiang Wu walked out of the command room, looking utterly dejected. She looked at the military wives still laughing and joking in the distance and felt a profound sense of irony.
Instead of going home, she dragged her heavy steps to the seaside.
The sea has completely changed color. It is no longer the beautiful azure blue it once was, but has taken on a chilling gray-black hue.
The gale whipped up waves that crashed violently against the rocks, sending sprays several meters high and creating a thunderous roar.
Dark clouds loomed overhead, heavy and oppressive, as if the entire sky were about to collapse.
Jiang Wu stood on the cliff by the sea, letting the salty sea breeze tousle her long hair and whip her thin clothes.
Her hands were pressed tightly against her stomach.
The little one inside seemed to sense its mother's despair and sorrow, and instead of being as lively and active as usual, it became quiet.
"Qin Lie..."
Jiang Wu murmured to herself as she looked at the raging sea.
Can you hear me?
"You can't die..."
"You promised me you would come home."
"You promised me you'd be the first to hold our child."
"You liar..."
Tears finally broke free and slid down her cheeks, only to be instantly scattered by the gust of wind.
She knew that Political Commissar Wang and his team had done their best. They had dispatched search and rescue ships and planes... but in that hellish sea area, shrouded by a category 17 typhoon, how effective could these modern search and rescue methods be?
The hope is too slim.
She can't wait! She can't place all her hopes on someone else!
She's going to find him herself!
She raised her head, her gaze piercing through the layers of dark clouds, looking southeast towards the sea of death shrouded in storm.
In her previous life, she was a cultivator, and her soul was far stronger than that of ordinary people. She and Qin Lie were not only husband and wife, but also had a subtle, spiritual connection due to the bloodline of the child in her womb.
Just now, she was standing on this beach, desperately trying to extend her divine sense in that direction.
She sensed a faint, almost extinguished life force belonging to Qin Lie.
He's still alive!
Although his strength is very weak, he is still alive!
This discovery was like a bolt of lightning, instantly cleaving through the despair and darkness in Jiang Wu's heart!
As long as he is alive, there is still hope!
She couldn't wait any longer! Every minute she waited, his life force would weaken further!
She's going to find him! Now! Immediately! Right now!
A crazy idea, one that even she herself found unbelievable, emerged clearly and firmly in her mind.
ps:
The robot is awesome!
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