The Guide Always Wants to Run (GL) - Chapter 2

Star Calendar Year 4018, Shepherd Star

A spacecraft preparing for a second leap was suddenly ambushed by pirates. In the end, everyone aboard the vessel was taken hostage.

The pirates had their faces completely covered and wielded laser swords. One of them barked roughly, “All of you, hands up, heads down, and squat quietly. Otherwise, we’ll cut your lives short.”

A young man stood up to protest, “You have no right to detain us! This is illegal. I demand—”

The swipe of a laser sword cut him off. Bl00d sprayed three feet high, and his head flew through the air before landing at the feet of a beautiful young woman.

“Ahh—!”

The hostages, already on edge, erupted into screams, cries, and chaos at the ruthless execution. Yet none dared stand up again like the young man had.

The lead pirate savored their trembling and helplessness. A twisted sense of superiority bloomed in him, as if he stood above the entire Empire. He suddenly slapped the fellow pirate who had just killed the man.

“Who told you to kill anyone? What if you scared these little darlings too much?”

The pirate blinked in confusion, then quickly bowed his head. “Boss, I’m sorry.”

The leader was a burly man, even taller than the rest of his crew. He stepped into the center of the cabin, eyes as large as copper bells scanning the crowd. His gaze eventually landed on a group of children.

“I can offer you a chance to survive. If you cooperate, I promise every single one of you will live.”

Everyone obeyed, squatting with their hands over their heads. Even the youngest children peeked up, their eyes wide and curious.

The lead pirate announced, “One of you is the Empire’s future heir. If you come forward now, I’ll spare everyone on this ship. One life in exchange for three thousand. Seems like a good deal.”

The passengers exchanged confused glances. No one knew who among them could be the heir.

Seeing their hesitation, the pirate added, “If it’s too difficult, I can give you time to think. Every fifteen minutes, I’ll offer a sacrifice to honor the heir in advance, with someone’s bl00d. That should help you decide.”

A tense silence spread. People shrank closer to one another, as if physical closeness could offer protection. Some began to cry quietly in despair.

“You’re lying. Her Highness Yuzhu isn’t even on this ship!”

The Empire only had one heir, and everyone knew she was female. Princess Yuzhu had been visiting General Aige on Sunstar. That morning, a livestream had even broadcast footage of the local culture and produce.

The lead pirate smirked and gestured to one of his crew. That pirate lunged forward and dragged out the man who had just spoken.

“Don’t touch my brother!”

“Noah!”

The lead pirate grabbed the little boy who had shouted. Holding him up with one hand, he grinned ominously.

“Your name’s Noah, huh.”

Noah’s older brother tried to kick him but got punched and collapsed. Little Noah struggled in the pirate’s grip, his face flushing bright red.

“Bad guy! You hit my brother!”

The pirate patted Noah’s face with mock affection. “You’re so cute. Why don’t we start with you?”

Beep. Beep. Beep.

Suddenly, alarms blared across the ship. Everyone turned toward the blinking signal lights, panic setting in.

The lead pirate raised an eyebrow. He tossed Noah aside and signaled his crew. “Check it out.”

The alarms kept blaring.

The lead pirate saw the ship’s display flashing. He kicked the corpse of the dead pilot aside and plopped into the seat, slapping his hand on the console.

The flickering screen cleared to reveal a woman in a green military uniform. Her refined face was as cold as frost, exuding a distant, unapproachable aura.

“Hu Luoshan. We meet again.”

“General Yan. Long time no see.”

Hu Luoshan tore off his mask, revealing a face covered in a wild beard and eyes like a wolf’s. He stared hard at the screen.

“How did you know it was me?”

Yan Ningjin stood tall and firm. “I remember every one of you from Flash Raid. Even if you turned to ash, I’d still recognize you.”

Hu Luoshan blinked, then burst into laughter. “You’re stalling, General.”

Her expression did not change. “Let’s make a bet. Let’s see whether you or we reach Her Highness first.”

Hu Luoshan stood abruptly, leaning into the screen, his eyes wide. “Are you wagering the lives of all these pitiful souls?”

Meanwhile, four small black devices attached themselves to the underside of the ship and began to drill.

“No!”

“What is that?”

“The wager is every last life in Flash Raid.”

Yan Ningjin cut the connection. “Commence operation.”

Hu Luoshan slammed the console and stormed into the main cabin.

“There’s a mole from the Xiao Corps here. Find them. I’ll break their bones one by one in front of Yan Ningjin.”

Beep. Beep. Beep.

“Why are the alarms still going?”

“Boss, we checked. There’s nothing wrong with the ship, but the alarms won’t stop. It’s like… we’re under attack.”

Hu Luoshan slapped the speaker. “Useless. Search everyone’s communicators. Kill anyone who sent a message.”

He made a quick round of the ship, then grabbed the co-pilot. “Where’s the escape pod?”

The co-pilot, already terrified, led him there without resistance.

At the pod, the beeping intensified, creating a restless tension.

“Open the door.”

The co-pilot shook his head. “I don’t have clearance.”

Hu Luoshan kicked him aside, summoned his particle gun, and blasted the door for fifteen minutes before the alarms abruptly stopped.

The escape pod slowly opened…

Elsewhere in the cabin, two women exchanged glances through the crowd and signed to each other. When the pirates weren’t looking, they crept forward and attacked.

“What are you doing!”

“Ahh—!”

In the chaos, the women quickly took down three pirates. One turned to the crowd.

“Quiet! If you make noise and bring Hu Luoshan here, we’re finished. The Xiao Corps is on the way. Gather together.”

“My partner’s hurt and bleeding. Please help.”

“A girl was hit just now.”

“What should we do?”

The random shooting had left five or six injured, two of them already dead. Bl00d pooled on the floor, but no one dared scream, afraid of attracting the pirates. People cried silently, covering their mouths.

Just then, a pale woman stood up and raised a trembling hand. “I’m an apprentice pharmacist. I can treat their wounds. The pirate leader went toward the escape pod. Maybe you should check it out.”

The two women handed the wounded to her and went to intercept another approaching pirate.

As they headed toward the escape pod, the alarms blared again. One pod detached from the ship.

The infiltrators blinked in surprise. “Hu Luoshan is fleeing?”

Yan Ningjin, already nearby in her ship Aiwei’er, charged forward.

“No. There are two life signs in that pod. Besides Hu Luoshan, someone else is inside.”

The pirates had hijacked this ship to kidnap the Princess. The pod only fit one adult. If there were two, one had to be a small figure.

Yan Ningjin’s mind raced. “You six, finish off the remaining pirates and confirm whether Her Highness is still aboard. Hurry.”

She pushed Aiwei’er to full speed. As she approached the pod, one of the life signs began to weaken, fading like it would vanish at any moment.

Yan Ningjin couldn’t wait. She accelerated ahead of the pod.

“Aiwei’er.”

Aiwei’er extended two thin metal chains that latched onto the pod.

“Reporting, Yan Yan. Mission complete.”

Yan Ningjin frowned at the now-anchored escape pod.

“Anything detected?”

Before the words finished, Aiwei’er crackled with sparks.

“Warning. Warning. Danger—”

BOOM—

From the ship, the crew still tending to the injured and searching for the Princess saw a burst of brilliant light. It lasted two or three minutes before fading.

As it disappeared, a vortex slowly closed in its place. Aiwei’er and the escape pod were gone.

“General!”