“A civil aircraft?” Rolin doubtfully asked. “There are no civil aircraft routes nearby. Anyway, why wouldn’t I be able to shoot a civil aircraft down?”
“Routes?” Huang Xuan chuckled and continued, “With his skill, it probably wouldn’t be difficult to steal an airplane. As for why you won’t be able to shoot a civil aircraft down…” He recalled the first time Rolin threw him out of the plane. Rolin later sent him back because he was worried about the safety of the base. “Because shooting a civil aircraft down would put the base in danger. Many people would search the surrounding area. Given your sequence of priorities, you wouldn’t be able to shoot a civil aircraft down.”
Huang Xuan gloated, “Rolin, look, if the traveler can locate the advancing base, he likely has a way to either control it or open a passage nearby. Think about it; the traveler had no idea he would end up in P112. Upon entering P112, he lost connection with his own base. That’s why he had to depend on his own memory to search for the advancing base in this area. Typically, the location of the space base wouldn’t change. After such a long time, the base wouldn’t have sufficient energy remaining either. This must be the reason he wants to kill me. Logically, a base guardian with abundant energy could never lose to a lost traveler, right?”
Huang Xuan paused to take in a breath. Wagging his finger, he continued, “When he finally realizes that it’s impossible to kill me, he will try to exert his authority in one way or another to take over control of the base. This would explain why this traveler would rush to Nanjing from Brazil. Firstly, this traveler wants to go home. Secondly, he might have a way to control the base. Lastly, he needs to be close to the base and energy to control it. There’s no other explanation for him rushing to Nanjing. Let’s assume that what you said is true – attempting to take control of the base would result in death. Then, even if we didn’t want to capture him, he wouldn’t succeed. If that’s the case, he would be happy to see us leave Brazil, so that he can continue to have his way. I’m sure spatial and temporal oscillations are not affected by the country they are created in.”
Rolin listened quietly. Huang Xuan continued along his train of thought, “The base guardians likely follow similar rules. If he obtains a civil aircraft and successfully flies over our roof, you would not dare to take him down. You wouldn’t even know that he’d be controlling you from the sky.”
“You think he would steal a civil aircraft to do that?”
Huang Xuan nodded, “That’s right. If I were him, I’d definitely do that.”
“But everything you just said is dependent on assumptions. If the assumptions are wrong, nothing like that would ever happen.”
“It’s easy to prove,” Huang Xuan shrugged.
Rolin calmly replied, “There are very few methods with which one could so easily control a base. Moreover, there’s a hefty price to pay. Normally, these methods will only work for a short while.”
“It’s enough that there’s a possibility.” Huang Xuan was thankful that Rolin was supporting his theory. Proudly, he said, “Rolin, you have to check on these things immediately. First, check the flights that are departing from the airports within a 500 km radius of Nanjing. The police might not be able to stop him, but he isn’t Superman. He won’t be able to get too far in 24 hours. If he doesn’t want you to detect him, he would have to act fast.”
Rolin agreed with Huang Xuan’s judgment. He continued, “Second, check if there will be any important people flying within these few days. The more influential the person is, the larger the impact will be if the plane is shot down. More people would look for him, which would mean more danger for us. Third, observe all the flights. Keep a lookout for any flight that deviates from its route.”
“Alright.” Suddenly, Rolin said, “But there’s another problem. If you’re right, then the traveler would not need to create spatial and temporal oscillations. In that case, there’s no explanation for Wang Shiyin’s and Nicholas’s deaths.”
“Maybe they were meant to distract us.” Huang Xuan shook his head and said, “Maybe they were his attempts at returning home. Perhaps he wanted to save on using those expensive methods you were talking about. He could also have meant to distract the police. If everyone is looking for the murderer, nobody will notice him stealing an aircraft.”
“That’s probable,” Rolin was approving of Huang Xuan’s suggestions. “From what we know of this traveler, he would likely be able to clear the airport security.”
Huang Xuan pursed his lips and said nothing. At that point, the solution to their problems was simple. If they spotted an aircraft that was deviating from its route and heading toward the base, they would immediately shoot it down. The strongest time travelers were still human after all. They would surely die if they fell from such a height. Since the base was still in Brazil, its safety wasn’t even an issue.
There would inevitably be collateral damage. Innocent lives would be lost. However, Huang Xuan spent so much time and effort on chasing this strong traveler, who was probably out of supplies, for one reason only. He harbored hope that, unbeknownst to Rolin, the traveler had medicine that could treat his grandfather.
Of course, he was just taking shots in the dark. Huang Xuan could not be certain that they would be able to capture this traveler. Hollywood had always tried to prove that a lone hero was capable of anything if he lost his family. Huang Xuan felt that he was like a mafia boss, while the traveler was like a retired member of the special forces. Or perhaps, this member had not yet retired from the special forces.
He finally had everything figured out. Although there remained many loopholes in his theory, Huang Xuan dialed his uncle’s number. Undeniably, Rolin could observe the suspects. However, this would be a waste of energy, and it might alert the traveler. Moreover, if they really wanted to take action, they needed people.
Zhang Shujie was Zhang Xinyi’s biological older brother and Huang Xuan’s biological uncle. He had watched Huang Xuan grow up. Naturally, they were very close. Given that Huang Xuan often attracted trouble when he was young, he spent the most time with this uncle, who worked in the police force. He was the one Zhang Xinyi turned to when Huang Xuan went missing.
Originally, Huang Xuan wanted to engage his little uncle’s help because he anticipated that the traveler was a strong fighter. He didn’t know how scheming the traveler was, nor that he would stop using energy upon entering the country. Rolin had a hard time looking for him. The traveler was right to be cautious. As far as he knew, the base was in Nanjing. He expected that security would be tight here. Little did he know that the advancing base could be moved. This time, he was going to leave empty-handed.
Zhang Shujie’s voice still sounded as hearty as ever. He greeted loudly, “Huang Xuan, what caused you to give your uncle a call today?”
“Actually, I need your help. I’m looking for someone.”
“Who?”
“A foreigner.” Huang Xuan was more casual with his older uncle. Zhang Shujie had always been composed. He was the person Huang Xuan’s mother trusted the most. Spending 30 years as a police officer had quenched his curiosity. As Huang Xuan understood it, he was a relative that could and would keep secrets.
Zhang Shujie moved the receiver to his other ear. He quickly signed on the document in front of him and asked, “Why, have you met with some problems in your business?”
“I guess you could say that.” Huang Xuan smiled, embarrassed. He was considered a businessman now. “I’ll fax a list over to you now. There are more than a hundred people on it. Could I trouble you to ask some of your men to watch them for me over the next few days? It’d be best if they could afford 24-hour surveillance.”
“How much manpower would that take?” Zhang Shujie asked sternly. If not for the fact that Huang Xuan did well in Brazil, he would have chided him for “messing around” by now.
Huang Xuan chuckled, “Don’t worry. Two days ago, I heard that you were looking to purchase a new set of computers. I’ll supply the computers and give you a rough estimate of the price.”
Zhang Shujie had the urge to drop the receiver. Fortunately, Huang Xuan dialed his cell phone number. He scolded, “You little rascal. Have you learned to bribe your uncle?”
“I’m not bribing you,” Huang Xuan argued, “I’m sponsoring you. Anyway, please see what you can do. The people on the list are all foreigners. By helping me, you’re helping the nation’s industry. I only need them for two days. I’ll treat you to a meal when this is over.”
Zhang Shujie was tickled. He was composed, but open-minded. Huang Jindi always said he was “accessible”.
Huang Xuan hung up, relieved. Compared to his little uncle, who was obsessed with making a name for himself, his older uncle was more reliable. His only worry was that his older uncle’s subordinates weren’t as reliable. The enemy was a time traveler after all. In fact, he was possibly even a space warrior.