Chapter 101: Team Member Qiao Zhe, Are You Conscious?

Lightning Team, Cool Dragon Team, and Falcon Team—all three squads were fully deployed this time.

As the fighter jets reached Earth's outer space, the Cool Dragon Team immediately formed a formation and advanced toward the front section of the Vaset.

The Falcon Team and Lightning Team were tasked with attacking the flanks of the Vaset.

Sensing an imminent attack, the front of the Vaset unleashed yellow, spark-like beams.

Despite the incoming rays, the Cool Dragon Team maintained their formation. The three jets sharply ascended to evade the attack, then flipped and adjusted course to approach the enemy once more.

Compared to the Lightning and Falcon teams, the Cool Dragon Team penetrated deeper into enemy lines. While this enhanced their offensive effectiveness, it also increased the risk of being hit and crashing.

The three pilots from Inari City wore calm and composed expressions.

Just as during their usual training, they even played music—nothing strange in this fantastical tokusatsu world.

The main hand gesture commands came from Inari.

The three jets flew close enough for the pilots’ keen eyesight to clearly see the signals.

The Vaset fired its spark-like beams again.

This time, however, the Cool Dragon Team easily dodged the attack, circled back, and launched a counterattack on the Vaset.

Laser beams, NP missiles, and HEAT air-to-air missiles relentlessly bombarded the Vaset’s front section.

Boom! Boom!

The Vaset’s front beam emitters erupted repeatedly, flames and thick black smoke billowing forth.

Simultaneously, the Lightning and Falcon Teams attacked the Vaset’s flanks.

This facility, resembling a peanut shell, began sputtering sparks under their bombardment.

Yet, despite all attacks from the three squads hitting the Vaset, its massive size meant its armor was exceptionally thick.

In the XIG command room, Atsuko and Joji watched the flames erupting from the Vaset with excitement, almost popping champagne to celebrate.

“Wonderful! The Cool Dragon Team’s attack is working; the Vaset should explode now!”

“The Lightning and Falcon Teams’ assaults are causing explosions on its sides too.”

The three at the stone chamber slightly relaxed their tense expressions upon hearing this.

Chiba even smiled: “If it blows up out here in space, the ground will be spared almost entirely.”

“Don’t celebrate yet—it’s not over,” Joe cut in, interrupting the premature celebration. “Atsuko, scan inside the Vaset again.”

XIG’s detection system was indeed powerful; soon, an internal schematic of the Vaset appeared on the main screen.

“How can this be?!” Chiba’s aged face showed shock as his eyes widened behind his glasses.

The screen displayed numerous small red dots representing lifeforms still inside the Vaset, which appeared intact.

Ishimuro’s face grew grave. “The Vaset’s thick external armor means the explosions can’t affect its interior.”

“Commander!” Joji’s voice became urgent as she turned to report, “The air force’s ammunition is almost depleted!”

“Atsuko, order them to return immediately!” Ishimuro commanded.

Without ammunition, their last resort would be kamikaze-style attacks.

But Ishimuro and the others valued their subordinates’ lives too much to consider such measures.

The airborne base’s optical communication system sent a retreat signal to the aerial units.

Since the jets communicated via radio waves, they could only receive but not respond, which explained the communication issues during the battle.

Upon receiving the retreat order, the Lightning and Cool Dragon Teams ceased their attack and distanced themselves from the Vaset.

Once at a safe distance, their communications resumed.

Meanwhile, the Falcon Team was exchanging cryptic words amongst themselves.

“Yuki Hayashi, Tsukamori, do you remember that vague scene?”

It was Mideta speaking. The three had long shared knowledge of a blurry vision of the future.

They only recalled a scene where the Falcon Team sacrificed themselves to defeat Earth’s invaders.

“Of course I remember. So, is this the time now?” Yuki’s face was serious.

Tsukamori pondered, “I think it might be.”

Mideta showed no fear.

“So many Gobu arriving on Earth will surely cause massive disaster! That cannot be allowed!”

Their team chat crackled over the comms, raising unease among others.

“Captain Mideta! Don’t be reckless!” Nozomi shouted, unable to hold back.

Having feelings for Mideta, she closely followed the Falcon Team.

They always volunteered for dangerous missions, as if disregarding their own lives.

Yet Mideta and the others remained steadfast.

“Tsukamori, Yuki Hayashi, return and continue attacking the Vaset!”

“Understood!” came the double reply.

The Falcon Team returned to their assault on the Vaset.

Yuki and Tsukamori showed no hesitation—only resolute determination.

Clearly, in their minds, protecting Earth and humanity was worth sacrificing their lives.

In the vision the Falcon Team knew, their sacrifice brought victory.

Mideta and the others accepted this fate calmly, never contemplating cowardly escape.

In the command room, Tsutsumi’s expression shifted as he saw this unfold. “Falcon Team! Return!”

But his communication was met with silence.

“I’ll go check,” Joe said, leaving the command room.

Tsutsumi immediately tried to follow. “Wait, I’m coming with you!”

The Peace ship couldn’t reach the scene in time; only the EX ship could arrive promptly.

“Director Tsutsumi,” Ishimuro called out gravely, “let Joe handle it.”

Tsutsumi paused, looking back at Ishimuro who stared intently, not joking.

It felt as if if he tried to go, Ishimuro would physically restrain him.

Joe, saying he was heading to the EX ship, had in fact just left the command room. Noticing Tsutsumi didn’t follow, he quickly scanned the surroundings.

No one else was nearby.

Above, a camera hung. Using his Ultraman psychic power, Joe destroyed the camera’s interior, causing smoke to rise.

A sapphire ring appeared on his wrist. He transformed into his full Ultraman form and immediately performed the Ultraman duplication technique, splitting into two.

One instantly teleported to outer space near Earth, while the other used mimicry skills to assume Joe’s human appearance.

The disguised “Joe” reopened the command room door.

“Director Tsutsumi, didn’t you say you’d come with me?”

“Ah?” Tsutsumi blinked.

Ishimuro, watching the “Joe” walk in, was stunned.

“No, I covered you just now! Jojo, what are you doing?!”

(End of chapter)