Chapter 47: The Arrest of Wu Hao

Without sufficient evidence, Luo Fei found it difficult to take action against Wu Hao. However, what he didn't expect was for Tian Xiao to be so sharp, using his quick thinking to mimic the voice of Tie Xiong. This clever move successfully provoked the pilot of the modified Qingniao, forcing the surviving space pirate to finally reveal Wu Hao's involvement at the last possible moment.

Luo Fei couldn't help but smile.

He turned, his gaze locking onto Wu Hao.

In that moment, the imposing presence of the H9-level security group leader came to life. Luo Fei's voice rang out, charged with authority:

"Wu Hao, it's time you explain yourself to the company headquarters."

"No!" Wu Hao protested, panic creeping into his voice as he desperately tried to defend himself. "He deliberately framed me! Can't you tell?!"

"Your trusted subordinate, Tie Xiong, refused to upload the data. The space pirates deliberately avoided attacking the ships of Tie Xiong and Zhao Jia—do you think I'm a fool? You really think I'll keep falling for your lies?"

Luo Fei took deliberate steps toward Wu Hao, his expression hardening with each move.

"Even if you talk your way out of this, I'll have you detained on charges of colluding with space pirates. You will face the judgment of headquarters."

"Luo Fei! Don't push me too far!" Wu Hao shouted in fury. "I know you've been wanting to eliminate anyone who opposes you, turning the base into your own personal fief! Don't think you can use this opportunity to smear my name!"

"Whether it's a smear or not, the headquarters will decide," Luo Fei replied coldly, cornering Wu Hao.

Wu Hao tried to resist, but before he could make a move, several black barrels suddenly emerged from the walls of the monitoring center, all aiming at him.

The base's top leader had made his move.

He was on Luo Fei's side.

Wu Hao, realizing his fate was sealed, froze in place. A sharp pain shot through his wrists as they were twisted in an agonizing hold, causing him to collapse to the ground in a helpless, curled position, unable to move.

Luo Fei turned, securing Wu Hao's capture, and returned to the monitoring screen.

Tian Xiao's Action

Tian Xiao had already obtained the information he needed. Without hesitation, he fired, shredding the second modified Qingniao.

The space pirates had shown no mercy to their own kind, attacking fellow humans with the same brutality as they would savage beasts. Tian Xiao was relentless in his pursuit of justice—kill one to send a clear message.

The modified Qingniao was impressive in terms of maneuverability, and its combat capabilities were formidable, but in front of Tian Xiao, it was still lacking.

"Master," Qinglong's voice came through, "The pilot of Qingniao number 16, Zhao Jia, is attempting to lock onto our cabin. The threat is significant. I recommend eliminating him immediately."

Tian Xiao noticed the movement. On a split screen, Zhao Jia was already in position, aiming his sniper rifle steadily at the sky. What he didn't realize was that Qinglong had been watching his every move from the start.

Tian Xiao swiftly recorded Zhao Jia's actions and uploaded them to the monitoring center.

Luo Fei's voice came through:

"Wu Hao has been taken into custody."

"As for Zhao Jia… Handle him as you see fit. Based on what just happened, his life is not worth sparing."

Luo Fei's cold words were a death sentence for Zhao Jia.

Wu Hao, drenched in sweat and desperately struggling, realized it was futile.

Tian Xiao held no sympathy for those who collaborated with space pirates.

He deliberately let the Qingniao fall behind, stepping out of the cabin.

Boom!!

Zhao Jia, his face twisted in ruthless determination, pulled the trigger.

But…

Qinglong had already calculated the exact moment and trajectory of the shot.

The instant Tian Xiao revealed himself, his body recoiled in a fluid motion.

By mere inches, Zhao Jia's shot missed.

The Qingniao door now sported a fresh gunshot wound.

Boom!

Tian Xiao emerged again, his assault rifle firing in a swift, deadly motion, the bullet piercing Zhao Jia's forehead.

It was over.

The Aftermath

Tie Xiong blocked their path, and Zhao Jia attempted an assassination. The two men, once loyal to Wu Hao, were deeply entangled with space pirates.

No matter how powerful the forces behind them were, they could not help Wu Hao escape the consequences of his actions.

Shwooo…

Chen Wuling, accompanied by the entire security team, arrived at Area C25. As they gathered the wreckage of the modified Qingniao, they simultaneously organized a rescue operation.

"Are you okay?" Tian Xiao asked, approaching Qiao Dazhi.

The latter winced as he tugged at his right leg, shaking his head. "Looks like I'll need a vacation for a good hundred or so days... Thankfully, Wu Hao's been suppressed. I can rest easy now." He smiled weakly at the end.

With Wu Hao out of the way, the security team was solidified.

Tian Xiao ordered Zhu Xiaotian to escort the team back. He and Chen Wuling then approached Zhao Jia's lifeless body, the fatal shot still fresh in his eyes.

Chen Wuling examined the back of Zhao Jia's neck, tearing off a small biological chip with ease. "This will certainly have evidence of the dirty deeds he and Wu Hao have been involved in. I'll send it back. Wu Hao led the wolves into the house; we must ensure he pays for this."

They both turned their attention to the last witness—Tie Xiong.

The man had been captured by Liu Xuesong and Lao Lu, who were forcing him to upload all the data he had gathered over the past few days.

After several hours of searching and rescue efforts, they completed the mission. They left a few men to guard Area C25 and returned to report the situation.

The Briefing

"Commander Lin," Luo Fei addressed the highest-ranking official in the base.

Lin Xu, the base commander, was an elite from the company's headquarters. Unlike the usual administrative figureheads, he was someone whose position carried real authority. However, this was a rare occasion where he had to step into the day-to-day affairs of the base.

While Luo Fei was calm and collected, Lin Xu's expression darkened further as the situation unfolded.

"Two space pirates managed to infiltrate our base using the modified Qingniao's cloaking coating. They caught us completely off guard. We've lost two Qingniaos, twenty-seven mining drones, and sixteen personnel have been killed, ten are disabled, and seven are injured… among the casualties, one member of the security team died, and two were injured. Both space pirates were killed in action."

Lin Xu's expression darkened.

The loss of so many people, and the destruction of valuable mining drones, was no small matter.

"Only the beginning of the month, and we've already suffered such a serious blow... This is the first time our base has been attacked by space pirates! Luo Fei, how do you plan to handle this?"

He had intended to blame the security team but held back when he realized that Luo Fei had successfully quelled the crisis almost single-handedly.

Luo Fei didn't let Lin Xu's position faze him. While Lin Xu might hold an official title, Luo Fei knew that real control over the base was still in his hands.

"Based on the footage from Tie Xiong, Zhao Jia, and the two space pirates' biological chips, the emails were sent at Wu Hao's orders. Wu Hao also helped cover up the infiltration of the modified Qingniaos. Everything points to Wu Hao, Tie Xiong, and Zhao Jia being spies for the space pirates. They are all guilty by association! I've already uploaded the evidence chain to headquarters. A special investigation team will arrive in three days."